Radio mirror (May-Oct 1935)

At last! Ginger learns the outcome of her gallant adventure when her great love for Mark reaches its dramatic climax By DOROTHY BARNSLEY ILLUSTRATED BY CARL PFEUFER wedding a secret on account of my contract. We'll get out of the mess somehow." How she found her way home that night Ginger never remembered. She was through! She called Bradley and told him she'd accept his offer. The next morning she faced Mark and announced that she was leaving the show. Ginger felt as if it was the end of one life, and the beginning of another. "W AD1ES and gentlemen, we present Ginger Wallis, the 'Enchanted Lady', bringing you her romantic songs of love which express the very essence and glamour of 'Enchanted Lady' perfume." Alone in his apartment, Mark Hammond was listening in. It was more than two months since the night Ginger dramatically quit his program. A lot of things had happened since then. On the table was a newspaper, opened at the radio page. The editor had been conducting a poll among his readers to determine the most popular program on the air. Today's statistics showed the Bronstein hour leading all the rest. It was a bright feather in Mark's cap. But for once Mark Hammond had been searching the radio columns for another name beside his own. The "Enchanted Lady" program did not even get a rating. Mark sat smoking, and listening to Ginger's voice coming over the loudspeaker. He was reminded of a chance remark made by one of the officials of WSR. "Say, Mark, I hear that 'Enchanted Lady' thing is a flop. They're thinking of taking it off the air." "Really?" "I guess Ginger Wallis is feeling pretty sorry she left you. That's always the way when these kids get overambitious." Mark did not reply. But he had thought a lot about Ginger. Only last night he saw her at a supper club with Bradley Sonborn. She looked as beautiful and brilliant as ever. Mark had not spoken to her intimately since she quit his program. Ginger obviously avoided him, and he would not thrust himself upon her. The knowledge that she despised him, and that he deserved her scorn, still rankled. The one episode in his life Mark Hammond regretted more than anything else was his drunken marriage to Del, and the hold she still had over him. The wife he could not acknowledge openly was an insurmountable barrier between himself and Ginger. Uriless he chose to risk the scandal of a divorce. Mark shook his head slowly. Since his quarrel with Ginger his mind had been torn between his two loves. His radio popularity— and the girl who was trying to battle her way to success without him. Mark turned to the radio, listening to Ginger's voice with the ears of a critic. But he wouldn't have had to be a critic to know that something was wrong. Ginger's first number was a new song which she should have been able to put over with a bang. Somehow it fell flat on Mark's musical ears. It was difficult to tell just where the trouble lay. The song lacked pep. It lacked the glamour which the "Enchanted Lady" people had sought to build up about their star. Ginger's voice lacked life. That was it, Mark decided suddenly. Her voice lacked life. Ginger was singing with her lips. He had taught her to sing with her heart. On a strange impulse Mark leaped to his feet. He looked at his watch. Ginger's program had still twenty minutes to go. He could make the studio in fifteen, if he got a break with the traffic lights. It was a long chance, and maybe Ginger would not thank him for taking it. Mark grimaced. He was not used to humbling himself to any girl. He was stepping out of character tonight. /^ND so we bring to a close our 'Enchanted Lady' program. If you have enjoyed Miss Wallis' songs, won't you please write in and tell her so?" Ginger moved away from the microphone. The smile with which she always faced her studio audience faded. After each of her broadcasts the announcer made the same request. But so far the fan mail had been pitifully slow coming in. Ginger was an old enough performer to know what that meant. She hadn't clicked. The radio fans were apathetic. Even the studio audience was not as big as it should have been, and the applause was not quite spontaneous. At WSR there had always been a waiting list for tickets for the Bronstein program, and the wild clapping almost brought the Little Theatre down. Thoughts of the Bronstein hour brought thoughts of Mark Hammond. Ginger's eyes were cloudy as she walked off the stage. It wasn't often she allowed her feelings to show in her face. But tonight she was tired. She knew too well why her popularity was slipping. You can't sing love songs with a broken heart. She was a fool, of course, but whatever Mark Hammond was, and whatever he did, she would always love him. One of the studio employees spoke to her. "Miss Wallis, Mr. Hammond is waiting for you." "Mr. Hammond!" Ginger breathed unbelievingly. "Mark Hammond?" "In person, and anxious to bury the well-known hatchet." Mark's voice was startlingly close. Ginger wheeled around. Mark said, "Let's find a corner away from all these hangers-on, so that we can talk." He took her arm and she moved unresistingly. Mark said, "How's the program going, Ginger?" "Swell." "Sponsor satisfied?" "Uh-huh!" Mark's eyes were politely doubting. "Suppose we cut out the pretense, Ginger? Something's wrong, isn't it? You're not doing your best. I heard the opening of your program tonight. That first song — " Ginger's body stiffened with resentment. She was surprised at the harshness of her own voice. "Did you make this trip especially to tell me that I am no good?" Mark was taken aback. "No, Ginger. I want to help you. I heard a rumor today. Oh, never mind what it was. It just gave me the idea that things were not going so well with you. I thought that perhaps if I could coach you with your songs as I used to do that 'we might be able to put this program of yours over." Ginger's lips twisted bitterly. Imagine Mark Hammond thinking that he could coach Ginger (Continued on page 57) 47