Evening journal., 1922-05-27
o871 - L~sA JossJhn.a

But, my dearest girl you
trembling. What is it7 Tell m
TITS so wonderful to have 20
back, Lynn. Don't ever leave m
for so long again"
"You tempt me to-" he laughe
ndulgently. Il think you've learr
ed to love me better while I've bee
away than you did in all the Will
that I was herei"
she answered with an odd littl
laugh of love and depreciation; "
really think I have
They dined at Narcotics, not IN
happiest selection for their first fe'
hours together, for the place wa
thronged with picture-folk.
Motoring to Santa Monica, Lucin
IA snuggled into the hollow Of sum
merlad's arm, and rested long tint
In contented silence.
1T is too perfect" she murmur'
ed at length. "too sweet TO last
why not7 SO long as we love
what's 10 prevent all beauty last
ing7"
Life. 1 meant took all her
courage TO speak OF what she had
Ill then purposely kept back Bel
lamy."
The car was swinging into the
streets OF Santa Monica LUCINDA
gave him her lips.
Let forget It for tonight. kiss
me again while there's time"
The restaurant to which the Lon
taines had hidden them was the one
In those times most favored by the
froth OF the picture colony for JUS
weekly night of carnival.
Round the four walls and enclos-
ing the CONSTRUCTED aoor for dancing
tables we're so closely ranked that
passage between them was largely
without guide.
OF any consequence IN
he studios was there. and every
BODY knew everybody else and call
ID him by his first name-prefer-
lbly at the top OF his lungs.
Lontaine's party, a large one,
omprising the most influential
nembers Of the colony with whom
e and summerlad were on agree
BILE terms, had been long enough
a session already 10 have become
exhiliarated and col
hilarious Summerlad II
,ok to its bosom with shouts Of ac-
aim, and he seemed to find II easy
, catch the spirit OF the gathering.
sense Of Illustration oppressed
lucinda She had been happy half
n hour since. Here in this heady
tmosphere Of perfumed flesh, to-
acco reek and pungent alcohol, the
iyl of her evening grew faint and
ed. While the man she loved had
10 regrets.
In a moment of disconcerting lu-
idity she saw him as strange
nan, flushed with drink and blown
With license. looking on other wo-
nen with a satyr's appraising eyes,
oandying ribald wheezes with the
ips she had so lately kissed. And
she WINGED and drew away, recall
ng the abandon of affection with
which she had given herself TO his
embrace at the hotel, feeling OF a
udden soiled and shopworn as from
ommon handling.
A strange man, man she had
nown but a few brief weeks
Covertly watching him, sho saw
ummerlad in the middle OF pas
Lge OF persihage start and fall |
lent. his lips in an instant wiped |
ire Of speech. And following the
ne of his stare, she espied. at some
stance at table near the edge OF
e dance-fioor. Bellamy sitting with
woman.
He saw her but made no sign
ore than to intensity his meaning
iile, and Immediately returned
urteous attention TO his compan-
At this Lucinda stared in doubt
several seconds, she was so
anged. But finery that shrieked
money spent without stint or
te could hardly disguise the wild
j ragged loveliness OF Nelly Mar
s.
XVI
lucinda looked a second time.
re than a month had passed since
{ brief acquaintance. and Lu-
da had put her out of mind so
npletely that her efforts to re-
the features OF the other con-
ed up only a foggy impression Of
habby, haggard. haunted shadow,
turns wistful and feebly defiant
{ bore what might be no more
n chance likeness to this figure
Haunting extravaganza at Bel
nys table.
question forming on her lips,
einda turned back to Summerlad,
t surprised the tail Of his eye
ering hastily away. and fancled
Iade of er-elaboration in the
isy' incurious air he was quick to
,sume.
She stole another glance across
ne room. BY every Indication Bel
amy found his company most en-
he was paying her salnes
tribute Of smiling attention which
he as evidently found both grateful
nd inspiring While Lucinda was
ooking she drained her highbali
lass and with an air peremptory
nd arch planted It In front Of Bel |
amy to be replenished; a service /
rhich he rendered with the aid Of a |
ocket Misleading to his own
lass, however, water only.
Summerlad was cycling her with
quizzical air. Lucinda managed
ilf a smile.
Shall we dancer
She surveyed the crowded floor |
biously. TITS an awful crush, I'm |
raid :" Nevertheless she |
I up and threaded the 1ostiing
,les With Lynn at her heels.
Il was an awful crush. Few better
ocers than Lynn Summerlad ever
d a ballroom moor, but even he
s put to II to steer safe course
that weller. Lucinda heard a
> OF breath indrawn and looked
la.