The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-07-22
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tiful, lives in Q cramped New York apartment with her mother, CASS BARRETT, rather faded actress. On 6 hot night Liane goes to din. ner with Molly Cronin, q ncigh- DOT, and two of MOlly's men friends. There is c shooting and the girl is held as c witness. She sends word to her mother who ar. riyes and persuades SHANE Nc. DERMIT, the young policeman fin charge, that Liane is innocent of wrongdOing. That night at the theater where Cass is playing Lane encounters handsome stranger who speaks her name.
 A few days later Cass and H. ane go to Willow Stream, l.. l.. where Cass has an engagement in a small summer theatcr sponsored by the wealthy MRS CLEES- PAUGH. Lane works in the box office, sharing duties with MURIEL LADD, pretty society girl. ELSIE WINTER, fngenue, introduces Lii. ane to CLIVE CLEESPAUGH. son of thet heater patron. Shane McDermid comes to tell Lane the man wounded in the gun fire will recover.
 At Muriel Ladd's home Liane again meets the handsome stranger who spoke to her in the theater. He Is VAN ROBARD and when Cass hears his name she makes Liane promise to have nothing moro to do with him. I1ane agrees with reluctance. Mrs Cleespaugh asks Oass to let Lianc stay with her during the winter. Muriel leaves the thcatcr one evening with CHUCK DESMOND a newspaper man, and Mrs Ladd, believing the two had elOped, asks Robard to find them. Van enlists Liane's aid. He makes love to Iii. ane, but later the girl is crushed when Elsie tells her Robard is said to be Mrs Ladd's lover.
 Murfel telephones next morning from 8 New York hotel where she has spent the night discrcetly. Liane tries to forget Van Robard. NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER VIII
 The visiting star that week was Curtis Blue. 35. blond. with, eyes of So deep g. color they seemed almost the violet eyes" of Victor- ian novels. He was of the matinee idol tribe and professed to hate it. He had a wife somewhere in Hol- lywood, a. feverish, dark, young woman who was teaching the May fair accent to Queenie Whitebait, the comedy star.
 Isn't he 8 lamb?" asked Muriel the day of his arrival.
 uLa,c fhar ,,io1 with him in 'Cabbages and Kings Liane returned indifferently.
 You knew him before, then? Why. you sly piece!" And Muriel pretended to see something that was not there.
 Blue came along, perfectly groomed in his dark gray coat and striped trousers, his beautifully curved soft gray hat. His bow was 8. miracle of precision. He stopped with . side glance for the luscious Miss Ladd in her apple green sports shirt and shorts, her brown legs ohapely and seductively bare.
 Liane performed introductions and Muriel cooed at him. "I en- joyed your performance so much!" He looked as modest as possible.
 T thought you had threatened to break into the company this season." he said to Liane.
 You wretch" she pouted, eWhen I asked your advice last winter you said not to go on the stage whatever else I did. You told me ! was an awkward cub, that I needed to learn to talk and walk and smile properly. You told me I said gonna"
 Well, so you did," he returned flashing his justly famous smile at her. But you've improved. You might learn. Who can tell?"
 Liane threw out her hands in de- spair. How is a poor girl to know what to do? First you say yes, then you say no. I'm bewildered."
 "Oh, you'll marry within the year and settle down to have a flock of babies" Blue drawled. Maybe it's the best way. 1 don't know"
 "No, I shan't! How horrid of you!" she flamed. Muriel inter- posed. dulcet-toned. How about me. Mir Blue? Would you say had chance?
 He favored her with an eye half insolent, half honestly apprais- ing. "The chorus for you" he said with coolness. You've the looks. the verve. That is, if you can dance. It doesn't matter whether you sing or not and you can speak like g. macaw for all they care."
 Muriel pouted. You're very flattering. I must say"
 Well, you asked me-"
 ''So l did. Come along and have cocktail with me to prove you didn't mean to hurt my feelings."-
 He glanced at his watch. Five o'clock. How far is 1t? I've got to be back at the inn by six. Must have an early dinner or I'm all wrong for the evening perform ance."
 Muriel said airily. "I'll drive like streak. You need a pick with that grouch of yours"
 He stared at her. He, the great Blue, being checked by a flapper! But she was so pretty. SO saucy, he decided to forgive and forget. Be- sides. a spot of something would perk him up.
 Liane watched them climb into the speedy roadster half amused. half envious. No wonder Muriel al-
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