Evening star., 1925-11-24
CHAPTER Y.
Joanna Meets Another Suitor.

In the sudden cascade OF small talk
with which the newcomers were set
tied into their places at the table by
two walters. each more eXcitable than
the other Joanna was vaguely un-
comfortable out of her accustomed
depths Her store of smart things
seemed utterly inadequate to the easy
greetings and persif1age. Within her
own experiences Introductory conver-
srtions took one or the other of two
rct courseS-herself or himself" She
vas never concerned with other
women, whether they liked her or not.
Not the ones who came and went
arrosS her horizon. They were all
like her. merely rivals, equipped. as
was she, with the common weapons of
orr modern apperhoodI-lips always
shaped for kisses, a ready wisdom that
guarded those lips when occasion
arose. clothes that added to the lure
OF her. and a skill at defense or at
tack.
In Joanna's scheme Of things. any
girls these days must he ready in
stantly to take the defense or launch
an attack-one or the other was GER
tain to be necessary.
She and George got along splen-
didly in the induction of all new ac-
quaintanceships among the available
supply of properly hammered, good
enough-looking young chaps with new
places to 60. She considered now
when she stole a glance at the man
who had como up with the woman
with the sleek black hair, that by the
time he had said How do you do?" to
George that little lady would have
hlithely inquired of him, We'll, now
look who's here! Why do you think
you amount to so much?"
And she renectNd that this time
George would get the worst of 1t in
any such encounter.
AS she had concluded a moment he
fore at her first sight Of him. Kenil-
vorth-"Roddy." Bra ndon had called
him-was made in the same mold as
Brandon, but there was a difference
She disliked Brandon because she
feared that he was to have some ira gic
influence over her and her mysterious
future, but, she admitted. he wouldn't
he little. He would not be the sort
who would plot for some small favor
If he should want to amuse himself
with a, woman he would aim at her
soul. She knew the kind-and the
danger they embodied
kenilworth-he was of the sort she
was most accustomed to, only. of
course, he was the super-kind that
would press to his lips whatever RIB
bons might come to his finger tips at
night and blow them to the winds in
The morning without regard for silk
or cotton.
She would always have to be on her
guard against Brandon If Kenil-
worth carried out the threat which
lurked in his calculating eyes as he
let them sweep over her. she'd check
mate him easily. Considering all per
sons of The other sex as hunters
Joanna fell to wondering what would
be the tactics Of such A man as kenil-
worth. who, not being by any means
young, must have had divers expert
ences. She was brought sharply out
of this reflection by the young woman
with the black hair whom Bra ndon
had called Yvonne
Don't You all know its horrid to
have To pretend" Yvonne said sud
denly, allowing her fingers to futter
over Joanna s wrist, that we aren't
hlhhlinG over with excitement about
Miss Manners amazing news? l. for
one, must tell her how thrilling |
think it must be
Joanna gave her a grateful glance.
There doesn't seem To be ANYTHING
else I can think about" she admitted.
1T | only knew why and from
whom
Let's see. kenilworth h unused aloud
Joanna stands for some generosity
OF the gods. doesn't it? Something
like gracious gift if l remember
my mythology Alright. Gods. like gift
horses. mustn't be looked in the
mouth Not even by the loveliest -
their favorites. My advice 10 Miss
Manners is to never worry over the
source Of her dramatic good fortune,
nrnCPp6 n
make music for her as she wants TO
pay
Yvonne laughed a silvery little
lrugh that Joanna envied.
And You, Roddy. are dying to offer
yourself a. one Of The original Dipers. :"
she accused. To Joanna she added
brightly: He's a beast of prey-this
Eoddy. He has the same accessories
il every port that a sailor is sup
posed to have put away for his shore
leaves. You must never take him