Evening star., 1932-02-09
CHAPTER Xiv.
YUDY stood at the long mirror in
her bed room dressing for the

|
on her wedding trip The long, rec
tangular crystal containers-there were
three of them, alternating with the
candles-held masses of maidenha1r
| fern.
| This delicate green was the only color
| to relieve the ivory of old lace and
ivory-tinted candles. Amy had decided
with truly keen taste-that tie gowns
of the women would supply the masses
of contrasting color.
For this was to be Amy's party Mrs.
Carter and Vera were both visiting
close friends in Los Angeles, sunk in
mad orgy of bridge.
1t was Amy's party-and it would be
lavish and gay one.
So Judy stood before the long glass,
dressing with meticulous care. And as
she dressed she thought of the other
times she had stood there, dressing,
anxiously-tensely, as though so much
depended upon her appearance.
! That first dinner on her arrival
when she was to be introduced to
Lockwood. The new dress OF maize
moire she had been so anxious to
be a credit to Stan that night.
! That miserable time. just before she
ran away to the city, when she dressed
/ for Eunice Wilson's scarlet ball. She
had worn black velvet :. and she had
| looked dowdy and miserable-mlserable
! because she felt that Stan would not
De proud of her.
Tonight she was dressing for Eunice.
! Not Stan. She was answering the
+ insolent challenge in EunlceS eyes.
! Tonight she was not dressing for love.
! She was dressing for prlde-and spite
| This was dress which she had
bought shortly before she had lett stan
/ that time. She had never worn it. An
extensively simple affair of peacock
blue chiffon velvet. A dress which
Eunice could never wear; it would
make her strange, pale eyes appear
! faded. But the curious green-olue
! turned Judy's eyes soft, MYSTERIOUS
gray. Judy was clever enough 10 use
! no rouge, but size rouged her nps,
choosing a rcse-colored lipstick. Her hair
she swept back from her face ana
held it at the nape of her neck with
barette of sapphires and rhinestones.
The result was a cameollke clearness
of line-her chin appeared pointed ano
delicate. Her eyes looked enormous,
an effect which she heightened with
trace of blue-eye-shadow on the upper
lids
She looked herself over with the
; hard. impersonal appraisal with which
general might review his troops
! before going into battle.
Size found nothing to condemn. She
was more than merely pretty. She was
interesting. Intrig9lng, 9 +nad Ihe sene1e etcbe
ing her reflection critically. For the
present it was perfect. The maturing
| lines of her figure were perfect for TINS
stvle. OF course, she would not oe
able to wear it again for a while. put
now it was excellent. A few montns
ago she would have been too thin for
so severe a style.
Judy knew Just how successful II was
when she descended to the drawing
room and found Amy there with her
house guests and a group OF early
arrivals. Bee Curtis, a straW-colorea
blond with the sallow complexion ol
one WHO has lived too long In the
tropics. Her husband, tall and heavy
featured. Amy's one-time 1nam2rSsa.
Dart Towers. taller than ever in dinner
clothes. lingering his small olacK
mustache as though to assure himself
it was still there. Billy Sumner:
blond cherub in tuxedo. And Eunlce;
AS judy entered the room she reao
the various emotions in the races
turned to her. Surprise and envy IN
Amy's unguarded expression. "A Jealous
challenge leaping to Eunlces eyes
Eunice wore black tonlght-a tlgnt,
fitting bodice of sequins, whlch claspeo
her beautiful body as tightly as
snakes skin before it hared into BILL
lowing net to her feet. The famous
Wilson diamond was hung about heI
neck on its platinum chain, ano
diamond bangles covered one whlte arm
from her wrist half way to her ELBOW.
A brilliant, sophisticated figure. Eulllce'
hut tonight Judy was a matcn iof tei
The ewes of the men told her so. Stan,
rushing in at late hour, stopping III
the drawing room for cocktail before
he rushed upstairs to dress, looked al
her with surprise and approvai.
"A knockout, jude! ne salu auinti ;,
ingly. Lord, you nave every Woiia,i i1is
here lashed to the mast tohlsnt! ttia .a
black ewes narrowed, Softened IN the
oid wav which had once flooded her
heart with an almost humble happiness
Tonight she accepted it with a COM
nosed satisfaction which had lttle
bitterness in it. Men their unoer-
standing was only as deep as tneiI eye,
sight. Let q woman be beautllul OF
face and they didn't care what ner
heart, was like. Men like Stan-
Dinner started in high gear. Inc
cocktails had put a hectic edge on the
gayety. Billy Sumner, flushed aho
CLASSY eyed, tied q napkin about ms
head and thrust maidenhair fern unoer
1t. -, o, A..
"wah-wah-wah-wa over the
babble of voices and the shrieks OF
laughter his war-whoop SOUNDED Shtln
neryeWracking. I'm big Chief TAXA
Shot! I killed three bottles OF hkkef
mvself before sundown today!
The idea was seized upon with glee'
Within a minute the delicate green
centerpiece was demolished "Ilie .hair ..ir
guests wore the whiting fern as tneii
genius prompted. ,,o;oe
Hey, Amy!" A mans aggrieveo io voice
calling from the END OF the rthost sdn,S
"What'sa idea of sitting me SO luItiless
north? I'm going to change my place.
This, too, proved welcome niIova d
tion Guests coolly rose and 1ouno
new places for themselves more 10 a1,.,, Inem
liking Judy saw Stan scowl as Jerry
Newcome tried to thrust himself pc
tween STAINS chair and Eunlce. GeC
the h~ out of here and find your
own grill" Judy heard him say IN
voice made incautious through drink.
At the same moment Judy became
aware that some one was coolly moving
in beside her She looked up into the
boldly appraising eyes of Dart Towers
Lets be neighborly, Judy" ne mur-
INJURED. in a voice which carried to her
any longer. Do you know you're utterly
fascinating tonight?"
The girl stifled the feeling OF dislike
which this man could always rouse.
She spoke pleasantly, striving for the
CAV f1ippancy which cloaked all talk in