The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-01-05


 able. You've always seemed SC shy"
 T am. I haven't changed a bit Then how did this French fel- low penetrate your reserve?"
 He took pains"
 That's going to be my cue. Will you step out with me on Tuesday,"
 "I'd love to-" Venice's heart was pounding. Her first invitation in New York in her life a deux. The very fact that she was wanted made her lose her diffidence.
 "Where'll we go? Let's dance. The Lido?"
 Splendid" said Venice. "Why don't you come and dine with me first? I might ask Lola and Jerry and turn it into a foursome?"
 This was clever of her. She was afraid that such a long evening would eventually display her lack of natural frivolity.
 It was not what Donny wanted but this girl was too different to handle any way but carefully
 Excellent" he said
 At that moment Lola brought up two young men who wanted to meet Venice. They had both been at Biarritz at the time of Rene's suicide. They looked at her with ill-concealed admiration. She gave them a gay smile.
 And we had to come all the way to America to meet" she laughed.
 Its just as we'll" one of them retorted. We probably shouldn't have got a look in with all the titles that were on your heels"
 "P-lease. American caveman stuff is ever a treat in the midst of decorous European hand kiss ing"
 What had happened to her. She gave quick repartee for repartee. There was laughter in the little group about her. This new atten- tion crept subtly to her head. It made her bright and carefree. Sud- denly her eyes strayed to Roland Wainwright. She was astonished to see that he was staring at her. She allowed herself to smile
 Did you meet Lila Chaser" ask ed one of the new young men.
 You mean, did I listen to her"
 Your answer is a perfect com- mentary,' he said and every one laughed. It was with this little fury of mirth that Roland Vain wright left his place on the sofa | an dapproached.
 How are you, Venice?' Roland | Wainwright somehow insinuated | himself into the little group. She 1 was surprised that he knew her first name.
 Hello, Rollo." She shook his outstretched hand with that sur prising grip of hers.
 Make room for a bloke," he laughed and squeezed in on the | window seat between Donny and | Venice.
 ''Is that llice?" protested Donny. |
 "It's all right" said Venice. T have to speak to Lola anyway"
 She hurried over to where Lola consorted with Jerry in a corner.
 T have to go home" Venice said.
 "Why?" Lola protested. Please stay"
 T can't Lola. Thanks so much"
 The situation had grown too big for her. She could not cope with it | gracefully and she wanted to leave before her own natural lack of vii vacfty gave her away. Had she but realized, her leaving was a of strategy. Roland | wainwright was disgruntled at her quick disappearance. Donny Reese | was annoyed. He had wanted to take her home. And the two new young men were left wondering | whether she was very clever or | very stupid or just merely spoilt and superficial.
 Gradually but surely Venice be- gan leading that life of which she | had once longed so poignantly to | be vital part. Donny's evening, when Lola and Jerry had come to sinner and the four of them had later gone to the Lido, was a suc- cess. It was followed by her invi- tations for tea, dinner and dancing | at the st. Regis, and the Horse Show. one of the new young men whom Venice had met at Lola's house warming telephoned her, but this conversation embarrassed her to such an extent that she heard herself saying she would not be able to see him that week, he had better telephone the next.
 She was happy with the dirnin- ishing of that panicky feeling at each party, but she realized that the people who danced with her continually and invited her here and there were just uncaring play fellows in a giddy game. It was curious. Was popularity really like |