Evening star., 1924-02-10
The Jazz Jessalyns
BY. IDA N. EVANS.

| guests, many glasses, many servants
and one tall young hostess in an
| orange silk sport suit.
| With inward .cynicism Jane noted
the guests, one by one. In the brief
months since emerging from her FASH
| ionable school Helena Bloke had pick
ed friends fast and promiscuously.
There was Tilla Sloane, the film
| beauty: De Frere. pastily plump
| idler Of doubtful antecedents and light
| blue eyes; the swift Tucker sisters
Willis. honestly successful in his own
line, but rodent-eyed; Gabrielle Dunn.
six times divorcee; and a scattering Of
wives and husbands who did not be-
, long to each other.
X X X y:
IRON under her white chiffon veil
= folds Jane smiled carelessly at
| the crowd, at individuals. She smiled
up gracefully at her hostess, whose
! hands were extended Hospitality. while
footman came for orders. Neither
| by twitch nor overcomposure did Jane
| betray her inmost feelings over
Helena's divided greetings.
Careless single shake: "Hullo, Mrs.
Jessalyn-glad you came" Quick.
eager. outflung two hands: "Ah. ducky
boy got here after all. didn't he!" -..
1t rippled-the mirthful, sharp
! laughter, The younger Tucker shouted:
Heard you called lot of names.
Jarv! But never ducky boy till now"
Dan Willis began to hum, But she
once was a pal Of mine, to-o-o!" ac-
centing the last word with a wave Of
! q thin hand. s.r.
And twenty minutes later, in what
was known as the daffodil suite and
! which did not suit James pink-and-
white charm, Jane confronted her hus-
| band wrathfully:
"Flattered! Leone Tucker"
"Now, Jane"
Listen, Jarv. don't pretend to be
flnicky. I never made my living. by
dancing for censor boards. But left
to myself, wouldn't pick the fuckers
and that De Frere for seatmates at the
same dinner table,"
"IIl admit that Eelena's taste needs
pruning"
1t was not so much what he said.
but the way he spoke. thoughtfully.
with a little infection Of intimacy.
Against the feelings that threatened
to take possession Of her. Jane fought
mechanically. Professional wisdom
and professional training were strong.
Facial lines mustn't be Created tenn
per mustn't be permitted-not this
week end. All, not now! A curious
mist formed in her eyes-she willed It
eway and pressed a button for her
| maid; a frightened little twist took
her lips-she forced 1t or by the time,
the maid appeared.
But che aged in the next few hours
and she knew IL.
The crowd was openly interested in
| watching. Jarvis and Helena. This did
not seem to annoy young Miss Bloke,
however.
Nineteen was the girl. no more
even in the broad glare Of afternoon.
| Her face was firm Of flesh. like an
apricot hardly ripe. Her heavy bright
hair was young and rampant in the
afternoon breeze. Her incessant
! laughter and movements had the rush
of pure vitality. But, grimly con-
ceded Jane. the girl also had the
makings Of a dowager and a strate-
gist.
At dinner Jane had a partner whose
| name she did not know. After dinner.
when the moonlight became a white
shawl for Bloke shrubbery and a
| white torch for Hendricks noble
stream, Jane sat at a card table with
De Frere. Somewhere out Of doors
were Jarvis and Helena. For all her
fortitude, mist came to James perky
blue eyes.
Later there was dancing-Jarvis
and Helena still out Of doors.
Against De F'rere's too plump arm
Jane danced mechanically. She did
not talk much.
It was in their second turn to-
gether that De yFrere murmured to
! her:
'If you ever need a professional
partner. I'm ready" --..
Partner! That pasty plump ad-
| venturer! In JARVIS place. in JARVIS
! white satin ruffs. in JARVIS spotlight!
The thought was sickening, horrible.