Evening star., 1932-04-29
CHAPTER XVI.
THE WHITE SATIN DRESS.


</TM the understudy for Louey
- Mae" JEFF Therruld explained
with heavy humor as he fol-
Il lowed the girl into the apart
ment. Joyce's little smile faded
as she looked around the empty rooms.
where's Nadine?"
she and Len have gone on to Eagle
Nook for dinner. We're to join them.
Here-She left a note for you"
On Madness heavy cream paper, with
its expensive rough edges, she had
written:
bad, bad girl!
we waited as long as we could and
then Len and went on to Eagle Nook
for dinner. JEFF offered to wait and
drive you down. Don't fail us now, for
we're ordering dinner for You BOTH
Joyce looked up in faint dismay
She was so tired &. so disheartened.
Moreover, she felt reluctance to take
the drive with JEFF Therruld alone
Something smoldering and dangerous
in this big, dark man. -.
She felt his eyes devourlng her now
as she hestitated, trying to frame her
refusal.
i've been waiting about an hour for
you," he said gently. Nadine told me
to tell you she'd put out evening things.
Wen probably come back and dance
later I'll go down and wait for you in
the car while you get ready"
The consideration of that won her.
After all, as long as she was Madness
guest she could not refuse to consider
her wishes.
joyce went into the bed room after
JEFF Therruld had left the apartment.
With thoughtfulness unusual in her.
Nadine had left evening things on the
bed. Joyce caught her breath at the
exquisite dress of ivory satin which she
found there. A new dress of Madness,
she thought as she slipped it over her
head And what perfect fit for her!
She had worn other evening clothes OF
Madness when the four of them had
gene out dancing, but none had fitted
her like this frock. 1t might have been
made for her. -.
A radiant reflection looked back from
the glass. A slim, graceful. figure, out
lined in the scant folds of the satin.
Youth rebounds easily under the slim
ulant of pretty clothes. Joyce knew
that she had never looked SO lovely.
Her hair was a copper helmet clasping
the lovely oval of her face. She re-
membered a remark of Norman's ...
that her eyes were like pools Of purple
ink.
Norman! . the thought of him was
urlreal-fading like figure in an old
photograph. He could not even hurt
her now so far had she come In
O few short weeks.
Nadine had left a set Of beryl orna-
ments for her use. A pendant on
platinum chain, like drop of clearest
sea water. and a link bracelet Of the
same greenish-blue stones.
When Joyce went down to the car,
wrapped in Madness black velvet eve
ming cape, JEFF Therruld sucked his
lower lip in spontaneous admiration.
Where is this Eagle Nook?" Joyce
asked as she took her place beside
Therruld.
"Out of town a bit" He started
the engine Quaint little place in the
country where they have wonderful
dinner"
Little place in the country and I'm
dressed up as though to meet the King
of England" Joyce made a gay little
movement of dismay.
Therruld'S black gaze shifted around
TO her face for a moment and he spoke
slowly. Ever since laid eyes on you
I've wanted to see you in white satin
and beryl'
Something helpless and frightened
leaping in her heart. She felt that her
eyes went wide and dark. 1t took all