The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-12-28

l J hair and numerous divroces. "Lita can be like a burr at times"
 With the interruption of Mrs Coates, Lita Chase came over to join Venice and Rene.
 You're brave, Rene" she said. | "Why?" he asked. You're always trying to monop- olize Guys girl"
 I'm not Guys girl,' Venice pro- tested
 She is my girl Rene suggested softly It was bravado for the bene- fit of Lita Chase, but it was also put softly enough to be an inti- mate question for Venice
 I'm no ones girl" she said. T belong solely to myself"
 It was curious but with this spontaneous little speech she felt a new pride at her own freedom.
 oh, there's Gresham" Lita Chase hurried away.
 Here Guy approached.
 Mrs. Coates wants us all for a month at her villa" he said.
 Excuse me a minute" Rene got to his feet. "The butler he is not filling the glasses"
 Tell mo about Mrs. Coates in vitation,' said Venice.
 She has a lovely villa between Biarritz and St. Jean. She's invit- ing you and Rene and me an a niece of hers who is due from America tomorrow"
 But why should she ask me?"
 Because she can't get Rene any other way. She has her eye on him for her niece"
 That's a horrid reason to be given an invitation"
 A sort of bait for her niece's fish. I don't want to go."
 Now, don't be stupid, Venice. You'll see yourself in the social notes. Mrs. Coates is prominent lover here and it's no mean thing to be included in a house party with Le Marquis Rene de Thenar- dier.
 Here you are dear" Mrs. Coates came briskly to their side. Guy gave her his seat. Will you come down to Biarritz next Tues day, for a month Venice? I should love to have you"
 Venice had sudden picture of hot sunny streets and her boresome room at the Louis-Le-Grand.
 "I'd love to-" she said. You're very kind, Mrs Coates"
 That's splendid. And you've got to come too. Guy"
 T can't resist" said Guy. Thank you very much"
 Now" sighed Mrs. Coates, here's Rene. We must tackle him"
 What about, madame?" Rene approaching heard the words.
 My house party at the villa. For August. I want you a week from today. What do you say, Rene? There will be Venice and Guy and my niece Rosemary Grant"
 Tt is lovely name" he said, Rosemary Grant. I will be there with plaisure, Mrs. Coates. D
 Good lord" thought Venice. T believe I'm losing my sense of proportion"
 The week before Venice left for Biarritz was very quiet one.
 Goinng down on the train to Biarritz she slept soundly with a heavy sort of resignation to what was about to occur. Mrs. Coates and a large nineteen ten Rolls Royce met them at the station. They rolled over the hills to a villa between Biarritz and St. Jean -de-Luz. The villa perched on a hill close to the sea. Rene started eagerly down the steps.
 "Ah, Venice, and you have laven- der rings under your eyes from the beastly train. 'Ello, Guy"
 And this is Rosemary" an nounced Mrs. Coates, pulling for ward her niece who hovered on the edge of the group like an excited and eager child. She was short and very plump, with thick stocky legs and a round face She was an ugly girl in a jolly, good-natured way and you liked her imme- diately.
 There was a delicious dejuener waiting at a table in a din- ing-room that faced the water. "This is too lovely" said Venice her eyes going through the wide window to see the sea. We might be on a yacht"
 There were three perfect weeks of breakfast in bed, long morn ings sprawled in the warm sun of private beach, afternoons at ths Golf Club at Biarritz, evenings of the Casino or moonlit spots along the sand.
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