The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-03-13
CHAPTER NINE


DHIL TROWBRIDGE stood with
4 his back toward them as Anne
and Gypsy entered the living room.
He was offering a cocktail to a
pretty girl whose blond curls and
frothy white lace gown made her
resemble a figure on a French
miniature. The girl was smiling. A
look passed between ther7 and
Trowbridge turned.
Across the room an elderly man
with gray hair was in conversation
with woman in black. A fat,
youngish man with small mus
tache stood beside them.
Anne went forward. Mrs. Lucas, 4"
she said in the tone of voice re-
served for such occasions, "I want
to present my cousin, Miss Mcbride.
Gypsy-Mrs. Lucas"
That was the beginning of the in
Productions. There was a succession
Of them, including so many names
and faces that all we're a confused
tumble to Gypsy.
Other guests arrived Immediately.
She discovered the man with the
gray hair was Mr.. Montgomery and
the pretty little blond was his wife.
She noted Mrs. Montgomery paid
scant attention to her husband and
generally there were at least two
men beside her.
Trowbridge stopped to compliment
Gypsy. Say, girl, what have you
been doing to yourself? I thought
you were Greta Carlo when you
came inl"
What have you been doing to
your sight?" Gypsy retorted. Don't
you know blond from a brunet?"
Minor detail-inconsequentiall"
he told her. Anyhow, you're a
knockout"
Gypsy smiled. She knew Phil was
trying to be kind and she was
grateful. 1t was pleasant to know
that she looked we'll
Anne came for her and there
were more introductions. Gypsy
shook hands, smiled the mechanical
smile she rapidly was acquiring,
and then found herself beside Mrs.
Lucas, the woman in black.
Are you stopping with Mrs.
Trowbridge?" the older woman
asked.
''No-I live in New York"
ooh, do you? Anne must bring
you to tea some time. You're very
like each other, aren't you? I'd
almost say you were Sistersl"
Gypsy was relieved. The CONVEX
sation took q, welcome turn toward
q musical event OF the last week.
Gypsy knew nothing about it, but
she could nod and smile at the
proper intervals. That was what
the others did.
She had been so afraid Mrs. Lucas
was going tc ask her address.
Wouldn't it sound well to Anne's
wealthy friends!
The maid entered with more
cocktails. All the guests had arrived.
Dinner was announced.
VOU'RE to go in with Horace
l. Page" Anne had told Gypsy.
Page had been one of the last to
arrive and at one glance Gypsy re-
signed herself TO a dull evening.
He was the type e midle-aged
bachelor frequently encountered at
dinner parties given by such host
esseS as Anne Trowbridge.
Slim, but not tall, Horace Page
wore trimmed spectacles attached to
a gold chain. His eyes, behind the
lenses, we're vaguely gray. He had
sharp features, pink cheeks, and
thinning hair.
They went into the deliberately
appointed dining room. Gypsy
never had seen anything so elegant
as the long table with its covering of
heavy lace, the brilliant sheen of
ruby crystal, cleaning silver, and
soft candlelight.
Anne at the far end of the room
was looking charming. The flame
of her gown reflected on her cheeks.
It was a proud moment for the
hostess.
The dinner party was one of the
most ambitious entertainments
young Mrs Trowbridge had under
taken. The guest list represented