Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-07

1 II was IloL necessary TO cOnftQe IN
him-Kirk-at all, since she did not
intend to marry him. Yet she had
meant that morning to marry him?
Why couldn't she be frank with him?
Kirk did not sit next to Juanita at
dinner. On one side was Cerise dubois
and on the other Phyllis Carver.
Juanita, Of course, sat at Bobby's right
On her left was a vacant chair.
Bobby had been unable to wait dinner
on the tardy guest, inasmnch as they
were all going to La Petite Theatre
afterward.
Nadia was starring in something
Trigger had written. Trigger would see
that the dinner party arrived on time.
Nadia and Dick were not at the dinner.
No enc asked who was the late member
OF the party. Every one seemed to know.
Kirk Surmised only vaguely, being
occupied with other things-chiafly
watching Juanita who sat opposite him
and striving to reply coherently to
Cerise and Phyllis.
CeriSe fortunately, had something in
common with Adrian en- her other
side, for Adrian too had been robbed
on one Of the nights he had been
in Biloxi. Cerise and Adrian discussed
their losses, replying to general ques-
tons.
Did they get the gold punch bowl,
! Adrian?"
They did.
And your mothers pearls?"
The pearls, too.
Adrian looked wan and troubled.
He had been consorting with detectives
for two days, during such time as he
had not been dealing with his mothers
despair.
'Wnoop La" sh on tie d some one.
Here's the big chief"
Eric Ledbetter had appeared in the
door and at Bobbys signal took the
chair beside Juanita.
| A chorus Of welcomes buzzed, a muir
INJURED introduction to Juanita, while
! Phyllis whispered to Kirk. He couldn't
miss Mazda in Triggers play. Bet he
/ just got off the train"
/ He had. Got off the train less than
an hour ago. Dressed at the st.
Charles. SomerSaulteed here in a taxi
| How is that for speed?"
| III d better speed If he meets Dick"
murmured Phyllis. Aloud she said
, You look as winsome as If you'd
primped week. When did you wake
up enough to SCmerSault?"
anticipation. answered Ledbetter
'is as powerful as emergency. I knew
/ where 1 YVES to SIT" he added in
/ lower voice, With a side glance at
Juanita No" as the rs-doeuvre was
set before him, III begin where the
others are"
His eyes had fingered on Juanita's
! face Pretty, yes. More than that, beau-
probably killing her with parties
! Lacked animation, he would say but he
! had never objected TO repose in women.
/ Languor. indifference intrigued him.
! The others. all but Trigger and Kirk,
were talking hilariously.
Trigger was nervous, glancing sur
reptitiously at his watch. Kirk was
| thinking. "Juanita'S in no mood for
Eric. I'd wiring his neck for two bits. ="
| Ledbetter was pursuing the amenities.
| This your first visit. Miss Flores?
And do you like our fair, Southern
City?"
Juanita's eyes met his. He had seen
| such eyes in Madrid, in Tampico, in
Tihis. They always woke him strangely
-" Her glance was lowered again rs
| she said:
My first visit but it's been a
long one. 1 like New Orleans very
much"
Ledbetter had started, his eyes net
| leaving her face.
You are from Madrid?" he asked.
| Bobby had turned to them and an
swered for Juanita.
| oh Seville Ledbetter repeated
thoughtfully odd, Senorita," as Bob
by turned again to the lady on his left,
odd but just now when you spoke
was certain had heard your voice be-
! fore"
Juanita looked down at her plate.
Don't rum" Molly had said. If you
meet him. face him
Mollys words had been with her ever
since Ledbetter had come in al the
door. She contrived to smile now, play
ing with the flowers that had been
beside her plate. He was drunk" Molly
had said. He won't remember"
But he did remember.
whoever gave you lilies Of the valley
and violetS doesn't understand you"
Ledbetter remarked, observing the lace
| frilled nosegay in her hands. You
should have orchidz-b,ack orchids"
Il should hate them" said Juanita
"They don't sound like flowers"
Ledbetter laid down his fork, Help
me-" he begged. Don't you remember