Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-11-16
PICTURE
PUZZLE
g
By Thayer Waldo
Q. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service


swung the lanterns overhead.
In one corner a costumed trio
strummed tango music that mingled
with the ceaseless hum of talk, and
was lost beneath it.
Sitting by one of the little refresh
ment tables, slipping a highball and
smoking, Lang reflected that the party
must be a great success.
Perhaps, he thought, when Holly
wood was better known, such affairs
as this would have more meaning;
just now, however, it all seemed
queer and somehow little unreal.
Two figures came toward him from
the crowd, and he rose.
One, he saw, was Newsom, the eve
ning's host. Beside him walked
woman, olive skinned and wearing a
white satin evening gown. Her hair
was a rebelliously curling jet mass.
Smiling, Newsom brought her for
ward.
Lola" he said, "here's some one
you ought to know. You were missing
when I introduced him around earlier
this evening. He's our newest writer
just got in yesterday-and l hear
he's going to do the adaptation on
your next story. Mister Walter Lang
Miss Lola La Mesa"
A row Of very white teeth flashed
at Lang and big eyes regarded him
with bright intensity.
Then she spoke, and the voice was
a warm, volatile torrent:
"Oh, how lovelee! You are SO nice
looking an 1 know you mus be verree
clever an we weel have such fun when
you write the peecture for me because
we can theenk Of so nance cute
theengs for me to do; noT
Lang's polite smile became a pure
grin.
"Of course" he answered laughing
ly; well make it a regular hum
dingerw
Newsome chuckled.
Sounds" he suggested, "as If you
two should get along pretty well to-
gether."
For only moment longer she
stayed, having, It appeared, an en-
gagement elsewhere. Newsom, too,
excused himself, complaining wryly
that hosts duties were endless.
But, alone once more, Lang was
conscious of change in feeling.
Stars, executives, directors-he had
met them all tonight and been aware
merely, in varying degree, Of pretti.
ness and brilliance and smooth voices.
Here, though, was something that
lingered-that golden face. framed in
black, and .crinkling with vivacity
while words tumbled from its impish
red lips.
Suddenly a voice close by him
asked:
Happen to have spare cigaretteT
Lang glanced up quickly.
A short slight man with sandy hair
stood across the tile-topped table.
Lang tried to recall the face and
couldn't.
Fright" he said, pulling a pack
from his pocket and handing 1t. over.
"Afraid I've forgotten your name," he
added; meeting so many people in
such short time. :"
The man returned the cigarettes,
into a chair, and replied:
That's okay; you didn't meet me-
When Newsom had you in tow, ]
ducked. Figured you were in for
enough grief already. But they told
me who you were. Garrison's my
name-handle the publicity office out
at Zenith"
Lang said: 'Glad to know you. :.
Yes, I'll admit these wholesale intro
auctions are sort Of unsatisfactory"
Garrison made snorting sound.
"That," he stated. "is just a Holly
wood specimen. Believe you me,
brother, it's all screwy."
Lang glanced at the fellow in mild
surprise. Then, beyond him, in the
open doorway to the house, he saw
Lola La Mesa. She was wrapped now
in long, gray cloak, apparently say
ing goodbys to a little group which
included Newsom.
The musicians, too, had gone, he no.
ticed; yet the party showed no signs
of breaking up.
Then, as he watched, her eye caught
his. She smiled elfishly and, with a
sudden impulsive gesture, kissed her
fngertips toward him. Lang waved a
response, again pleasurably aware of
her sparkling liveness.
Garrison remarked carelessly:
"Looks like you enjoyed at least one
meeting"
"Well, I'll tell you" Lang answered,
smiling; ut seemed to me Miss La
Mesa was the-well, the one really
genuine person here. 1 mean. there's
something about her-something fresh
and natural. :"
The other gestured knowingly and
cut in:
"Yeah, primitive and unspoiled-all
that sort Of thing. Well, don't let It
fool you. I'll admit she hasn't gone
Hollywood like most of 'em, but
there's plenty else about her to make
up for that. You know. in my end Of
this game we don't miss much. Listen,
I'd like to see you start of around
here with the right slant, so I'm gon-
ma give you the lowdown on this La
nrNl. Il