The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-05-24
BLUFaEETs BLUFF
BY GLADYS p. ANDERSEN.


was with an effort that she dragged
her reluctant feet homeward at the
close of the day. Home to Ivy meant
bare, cherries rooms.
I'm tired and sick of this life" she
confided the next day to her chum,
Carolyn Jewell, land I'm going to live
a real life for once, if it's only for
month, even If / have to put up big
bluff to do 1t. For three years l have
held this position, without vacation
rebel" and her dark eyes flashed de-
family.
II don't blame you in the least" adj
mitted Carolyn; "and hope that you
will succeed with your plans, what
ever they happen to be-"
Once within her room that night Ivy
carefully studied herself before her lit
tie mirror. She was beautiful to gaze
upon when one analysed her features
closely but she did not overdress and
her loneliness oftimes passed by I'M
noticed. She had a comfortable saw
ings account, and she was going to
see Palm Beach, and see it right, if
it took her last cent.
With this thought in her mind, and
| with her daintiest, smartest dresses
and shoes in her trunk, she started out
on her wonderfully mysterious and ad-
venturous vacation. Two weeks had
| passed, and although Ivy was the SEN
sation of the little hotel at which she
| registered as jeanette DeVere, she
had not yet met anyone really worth
| while. She noticed and cultivated the
manners and costumes Of the society
women there. Upon the Monday of
her last week she made up her mind
| that she would battle at RandalPs
beach and dine at the casino in the
evening. Securing a bathing house,
she donned her chic little bathing suit
and was the center of attraction as she
walked daintily across the sand and
| stepped timidly in the surf. Not no.
ticing the gigantic breaker ahead, she
| plunged into the water, and when she
| came up she found herself staring in
to the eyes of a wonderfully cookbook
ing and exceedingly surprised young
man.
"That was some diver he exclaimed
admiringly. Ivy brushed the water
from her sparkling brown eyes and
admitted that the sea was a bit bois-
ferrous. "I'll challenge you for swim
to that rowboat out there" she said
mischievously, making up her mind
that she would pick up an acquaint-
ance or die at the attempt.
son one condition." he agreed: IF
l beat you to the boat you have to
take luncheon with me-"
/ "It's bargain" Ivy replied, and
they both dove in and struck out for
the boat, he swimming with all his
might to reach it before her, and it
was with just one last mighty effort
that he did. Then she faced him and
laughed.
II lose," she said, dropping her eyes.
81 suppose 1 am forced to lunch with
you"
Later she was leaning back in his
luxurious touring car and breathing the
bracing sea air. They sped on and on,
taking in the beautiful scenery, and
finally halted before pretty little road
house and lunched on the veranda
overlooking the sea. Had he not been
so completely wrapped up in Ivy, he
might have noticed her paleness and
hesitation, when she said: II am
Jeanette DeVere of New York, and
am on an extended tour with my par
ents." Likewise had Ivy not been so
fascinated by this unique experience,
she, too, might have seen guilty look
steal across her companions face when
he replied: ~ am Richard Wander
cup of Chicago, my profession is law
yer, and am here on much needed
vacation" ......
Ivy gasped! How was it all going
to end? What would he say when he
learned the truth. he, noted lawyer
of Chicago, lunching at Palm Beach
with a mere clerk.
At last the car stopped at little
shady lane of palms. 1t was ivy who
broke the silence. "Mr. Vandercup,
fear won't be able to see you again.
He started as though an explosion had
occurred. "You, you mean / can't see
you off tomorrow "You won't care
to when tell you the truth. Did you
ever tell a white lie, Mr.. Vandercup?'
'Pve told few, but I'm not absolute
ly certain of the shade" he confessed
81 told one Of few days ago which
think came nearer to being black one
but l will let you be the judge My
name is not Vandercup, neither am
lawyer. l am just plain Jack Har'
rison, a chauffeur for Mrs, Vandercup
and borrowed her name that i might
become acquainted with you, and that
little story" he added slowly, twas
Just little fabrication of my own
Ivy's heart gave joyous bound. sand
T." she whispered sweotly, Fam moi
Jeanette DeVere, but just Ivy Gray
clerk in one of New Yorks depart
ment stores" Before he had time tc
| overcome his surprise, she added, "yOy