The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-09-14

lHdIo dSLOoS IAc AOOM. N1ct tiAS after all. Hurry!"
 At once there was excitement in the modernistic mauve and silver boudoir. Wherever Natalie Price was there was likely to be excite ment. Only Marcelle, the French maid, knew what tempests could arise over a last-minute change of her mistress costume. Natalie stormed. Marcelle cajoled. Gar ments went hurling through the air and Natalie's voice became ehriller, louder.
 Tonight the hustle and stir were tn vain. IL was nearly 10 p. m. when Natalie, resplendent in scar tripping down the circular stair way to meet the young man be- low. He had just arrived, still wore his muffler and top coat.
 Natalie's narrow flame-red lips bowed in a smile. The girls beauty was that of coloring rather than features. Her hair was a dark, | cloudy mass, curling back from a pale forehead. Natalie's eyes were gray and rather narrow. They were almost concealed by heavily applied mascara on the lashes. Her cheeks were unrouged and of ivory whiteness. Natalie's slim figure was the fashion writer s ideal.
 She ran down the half dozen stairs. stopped suddenly beside the newvl post and pouted fetching ly.
 what makes you be- so mean, Mark?' she wheedled. You said you'd be on time" Mark Travers, handsome in his dinner clothes. smiled. Sorry" he said. "something held me up. Well shall we go?"
 Natalie came nearer, regarding him from beneath the jetty lash es. "It's a poor excuse" she said. but forgive you. Well-aren't you going to kiss me? It's all right. Mother and Dad are out"
 Travers' arms went around the girl. He looked down at her, "You're a baggage, you are. Natl! he told her. Leave a man in peace five minutes, can't you?"
 Coolly she regarded him. took the cigaret from his fingers and placed it to her lips. Natalie blew a graceful spiral of smoke, tossed her head backward. bringing the scarlet lips audaciously nearer. Since he did not respond she drew away impatiently.
 well" she said grossly, "it's certainly far from entertaining here! Let's so to Monty's. Maybe the crowd will help thaw you out. And if you're not going to admire me at all I'll have to pick up some- body who will"
 Travers grinned. "oh, I admire you all right, Nat. You know that. Tomorrow I'll write you a sonnet to prove it,"
 "Thanks," the girl said languid- ly. Save the sonent for your next soul mate. This one wants to dance"
 l Moving ahead she led the way to the outer door. They went through it and down the steps where the roadster waited at the curb. Mark took the wheel and with a rush they shot into the night.
 The party at Monty's was we'll under way when they arrived.
 A half dozen men and women. all of them youthful-looking, all wearing evening clothes, were en- gagged in a noisy game at one end of the huge apartment living room. It was a game in which players shrilled questions at one member of the group who apparently knew the answers. Freduently laughter drowned out the ques- tions. From a radio in the next room came strains of a tango. A slim blond youth and a girl in swirling emerald chiffon danced at opposite end of the room.
 The arrival of Mark and Natalie was greeted with cheers. The couple who had been dancing stopped. The blond youth rushed forward and caught Natalie's hands.
 Here you!" he cried. "rescue me from this designing female, win you, Nat? Five minutes more and she'll have my watch and chain!" He turned toward the girl in green. "Op Mark will play with better man than am, Gunga Din!"
 The blond youth caught Natalie's arm and drew her toward the win- dows leading outside. Travers stopped them.
 "Wait a minute" he said. "where's Monty?"
 The girl called Geraldine an- swered. "Oh, she toddled off to some vague theater or something. Left a note saying she'll be back. We're having the party without her.
 "But she's the hostess!"
 "Well-who wants a hostess? Come on! I know where Monty keeps all the requisites. You can equeeze lemons"
 Another man joined them. inter rupting. Hello. Travers." he said. Mind if an old fellow like me cuts in? Geraldine promised half an hour ago to give me the next dance"
 "That's all right. How're you. Hart? Playing much golf?"
 Made s4 yesterday" Bradley Hart announced smiling. He was cider than the others, handsome and rather distinguished looking. Efs face was sun-bronxed and he Wns well-bu with tendency to- ward the musclar. Party like this IA no place for me-" Hart told them. ''Makes me feel like a .-..ardfather. Mavhe we'd het'er ] Anf4