Radio and television mirror (Jan-June 1942)

Chicago." "Oh yes?" John said. "What's she like?" Ehzabeth got up and moved over to stand beside John's chair. "As pretty as a picture, and very, very charming." "Well," John joked. "We must have her over. Anyone as pretty as that deserves to have me know her." "I'll make a bargain with you," Elizabeth replied. "If you'll get Harry that job, I'll have her right over." John pushed the paper away from him. "When you want something, you're completely unscrupulous, aren't you?" He reached up for her face and found her lips. "It would mean so much to them if Harry could find something," Elizabeth murmured against his cheek. "Claire told me today that she had to sell their piano to pay the rent and lay in a decent stock in the store for Christmas. Now Marianne won't have any way to practice her music." "That's a shame," John said, genuinely sorry. "I didn't realize they were that hard up. I'll find something for Harry tomorrow." "Oh darling!" Elizabeth's joy was so colored with pride in him and thankfulness that John was immediately glad he had agreed. "And John," Elizabeth added, "I told Marianne that she could use our piano to practice on if she wanted to." She said it quickly. John shrugged. "I don't suppose she will very often. What's the difference?" "Oh no," Ehzabeth said. "I was afraid she wouldn't take the offer seriously, so I made her promise to come every afternoon." John looked over the top of the newspaper. "Do I have to listen to a female songstress?" he said. "Not unless you want to," Elizabeth said. "You can please yourself about that." "Okay then," John retired behind his paper. "But make it in the afternoon, when I'm at the office. I like to be quiet in the evening." He was half serious, half joking. "We will," Elizabeth promised. "And do please try to find something for Harry." "I will," John said. "I won't forget." p* ARLY in the following week John got away early from the office and came home to rest a while before dinner. He knew that Marianne came to practice now every day, but he thought by five o'clock she would be gone. Driving home a little early, before the traffic had become heavy, gave him a wonderful sense of well-being. It was late October, and a light, early snow, soft and dreamy, had begun to fall. The street lights came on and made the snow sparkle as though set with diamonds. On the bare branches of trees the wet crystals clung thickly, so that the world seemed festooned. John drove slowly, enjoying every minute of it. When he came into the house, he paused a moment in the vestibule, then closed the door gently. The fresh young voice seemed to float about him, to fill the house with the song. It ended; another began. "Drink to me only with thine eyes — " Centuries ago Ben Jonson had dreamed a dream of a girl and love and a cup of wine — perhaps on such a night as this. He made the dream into words, and an unknown musician made it a song with sound and cadence. John Perry listened — not moving. The dining-room door swung open and Elizabeth walked quietly to his side and stood with him, listening as he listened. Her hand found his and held it. The song ended and Marianne's head turned to the window. She sighed and stood up. "I'm sorry you stopped." John touched the lamp switch. "You must be Marianne. Elizabeth said you had a nice voice." Marianne was flustered. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Perry. I didn't realize it was so late. I intended to stop before you came." "Nonsense," Elizabeth spoke for the first time. It was as though she had not been in the room Until now. "I'm glad he heard you. Now he knows why I was so anxious to have you come here to practice." "Elizabeth said you didn't like singing — especially women singers," Marianne said. She stood in front of the piano slowly gathering her music. John saw her then for the first time — the sheer youth and vitality of her, the clear, warm color of her skin, the softly burnished hair. "I guess I was wrong," he said. "I like the way you sing." "I'm so glad," Marianne said. John could see she was partly shy and partly proud to hear his praise. He found her coat, and helped her into it. Then she was gone. After dinner John settled down again, but tonight he felt like talking. "There's a job at the store I think Harry Bartlett could fill," he said. "I'm getting in touch with him." "I hope you do," Elizabeth said. "And say, that girl can really sing. I was surprised. You don't even have to be a musician to know that." "Yes," Elizabeth murmured. "I told you she had a nice voice." "And she's very pretty," John added. "She ought to go far." "Yes, if she has a chance, but there's not much opportunity for singers out here in the Midwest," Elizabeth said. "She'll make it," John said, and he believed it. Two days later he was able to place Harry as a stock clerk, and a week later he knew with gratification that Harry had made a go of it. He was fast and careful and accurate, the chief stock clerk told John. It (Continued on page 50 j 17