The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-11-24
6gh lADY1o1th e RAAN 1 BY HARRIET HENRY

"Oh, no. She never speaks of herself and her horrible experi- ences. The thing was all in the pa- pers at the time and she's let it drop several times how perfect her husband was. Hi, Lola, give a friend a chance to have hords with you once in a while, will you"
 Lola turned from her whispered conversation with old William. She lent to Jerry slow, sweet smile Venice knew an inner start. She loves him, she thought. The care less, unworried, effervescent Lola A smile with such depths was the rarest thing for her and her eyes went intimately into Jerry's.
 Venice moved a little away. She took a cocktail from the tray old William passed her and stood sip ping it, examining Jerry over the glass and noticing him in detail for the first time. Medium height, sandy hair, blue eyes, nice, open, natural sort of face. He was hold ing Lola's hand now, between them as they stood, covertly, so no one would notice. Venice sighed. How would that sort of thing ever touch her?
 HOW are you, Venice?" It was Donny Reese. --.-.......
 As usual she pulled herself away from the things about her that gave her thought. Suddenly she remembered her mother and has tily put quick, bright smile on her lips.
 Able to drink a cocktail she said. Pretty good for me, went her mind.
 "Is that all?" There was innu- endo in his tone.
 Able to drink two cocktails"
 And after that what?"
 Three"
 , And then?"
 l Venice was at a loss. Donny was staring down at her with sucf challenging, amused eyes. What was he thinking of her?
 Home" she said and knew 2 heaviness of heart. She had spoiled the little battledore and shuttle cock of words. She knew it but she hadn't been able to think oi anything diverting to say next.
 DO you know Ann Duryea?" ht asked.
 No" said Venice. T came 1T after she'd been introduced to every one. Is she attractive?"
 Not attractive exactly, but fas' cinating. That girls had experi' ence. She murdered her husband you know"
 l T thought she was acquitted?"
 "Old man Parks money acquit' ted her, don't you worry abouT that. She's a hardboiled damsel that one"
 What does she say about it?"
 She doesn't. But she's -alway mentioning how marvellous he husband was. Methinks the lad. doth protest too much. Wait minute, she's leaving now. wan to get her telephone number. She going to be here several weeks" :"
 He darted off. Venice forgot U feel sighted in her scrutiny o Donny's approach. He held out hand and Ann Duryea took it in differently. Venice could not hea their words, but he took out pen ell and little note book, so sh was probably giving him a numbe She left with two men in her walk Venice looked drearily about tn room. Nobody apparently ws thinking of approaching her. was too early to leave without ol lending Lola. No one even notice her solitude. She wandered out side the living room and sat dow on the second step of the gres
 winding staircase that led abov She clasped her hands about ht
 knees and gave herself over
 thoughtful speculation, So popl
 larity could be obtained by mere.
 the suggested Background of
 mysterious past. How strang
 Why shouldn't cleaner, simple
 franker stuff, be more appealing
 It was most upsetting.
 l T beg your pardon" I A young man coming down u
 stairs had almost tread on ht | venice looked up and he look | down. There was laughter in r | face and an easy look of friendl | ness. He was of medium heigf | slender and 1.-the. with crisp, wa \ black hair cut very short to pr
 vent it's curling. The eyes we ' hazel, a yellow-amber color, al