The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-12-31
Chapter 26

l ing as a friendly gigolo.
 Chapter 26
 AN AFTERNOON OF SURPRISES
 "Oh, Guy, nothing more to dt with Rene"
 No. Purely in connection witt my humble self.' l "Oh. Well I hope it's not toc uncomfortable
 50 do l."
 Whatever can you mean! Stor | for me at half-past seven." l Venice put down the receiver anc glanced at her watch. Just time fol mail before they are closed. She hurried out to the back entrance in the Rue St. Honore. Two letters from Molly and one from Lola written on the Laconia Nolly's letters were postmarked a week apart. The operation must be over now. Venice eagerly opened the earlier one, reading as she walked back towards the Rue Mont-Tha- bor
 August 11th. Darling Venice:
 "The operation was a failure. At first I thought my heart would break But the relief in being alive to tell the tale comforts me And why should I grieve at being back where was before? I had let my mind run riot at times though and had seen myself dan cling at parties and in swimming in the summer and having lots of men attentive to me. But there, l might have missed the nice quiet ness Pongo gives me and perhaps he, the old dear, would have trip ped me up at every turn for hay ing him changed Of course that's all pure bravado, Venice. I'm bit terly disappointed.
 Lola wrote someone at home who told mother about your Mar quis and the American who is al- ways at your heels. do think it's wonderful, but I knew titles would adore you. 1 Ernest is still sweet to me; but, of course, he has to come and see me every few days anyway-I'm still in bed-so I guess he's just a nice kind doctor and not a beau after all. Probably when I'm up and about again he'll drop away completely. could be unhappy but I won't After all, I've enjoyed several months of him, an a young man, ever for several months, was beyond my farthest dreams.
 Do write me all about yourself everything. Aren't you coming home soon?
 Your loving, MOLLY Venice stumbled at a curb and sighed. Poor Molly, always to lead a dull, sequestered life. Back in her room at the Louis-Le-Grand she opened the second letter. Molly was engaged to Ernest Price!
 How simply marvellous. I must cable her. Venice rushed out again her mind singing with the happi- ness of Molly.
 The cable dispatched, Venice stood uncertainty in the Rue Cam mon. She was too happy to go back to her room at the Louis-Le- Grand and sit by herself alone with her excitement.
 By love. Venice Muir. How are your"
 It was Lita Chase very chic in tomato-colored tweeds that accen- tuated her canary hair peeping from her tweed beret.
 Hello" Venice cried. Come to the Ritz Bar with me for a little cocktail"
 Wont I just!" She linked her arm in Venice's and together they found a table damned in one cor ner.
 What a sensation you've caused" said Lita as soon as their cocktails were ordered. Imagine Rene killing himself on account of you"
 ''He didn't. He was frightfully hard up, and his debts were grow ing unbearable"
 That's what you say. Bask in the light of this scandal, Venice and relish it. love, it's more po- tent than all my divorces.'
 "But your divorces are real. My scandals misconstrued."
 q don't believe you," said Lita.
 It's funny, thought Venice. Peo- pie who live sensationally them selves must believe sensational things about others.