Nogales international., 1933-05-27


Before Joyce addressed and stamped
the brown envelope it occurred to her
that she might write a, few words to
put in with it. Then, having come to
this conclusion, she found herself cis-
niayingly unable to decide what to say.
What sort OF letter would Friils write
to Neil 7? 81 don't see how she'd have
the face, TO write to him at all. when
ali she cared about his absence was the
chance it gave her to go off with Matt
land and his crowd" she thought dis
gustedly, but just the same, since
Joyce Ashton isn't going off with Matt.
I think she might send few words"
She ended by writing
Dear Neil: You can't hurt solid
ivory dome just by falling on it But
it seems to have knocked some of the
pep out of little Frills, and she's an
noying the gang by cutting out some of,
the Jazz. Laurine was here this morning
with lot OF good advice, Ethel and
Clarice this afternoon, and while was
out, Paul and Dot came, and Tess
Farnsworth. Don't know why I've new
er wanted a dog before nor just why
want one now, but I've just acquired
darling" she wrote hastily, "Sam got
him for me from the Marches on the
Dry Creek Canyon road They're going
to China and can't take Dicllie. He is
quite adorable, and when did ever care
what any one thinks? Frills"
Joyce was little doubtful, when she
finished, about whether she had not
written more than was wise. She sealed
up the letter, however. and then went
downstairs to look for Sam to post it.
Sam listened with casual politeneSs
to her explanation of her appearance.
"I had telegram from Mr.. Pack
ard asking me to mail him some papers
he left behind by mistake, and | won
dered if you. could get them to the post
office for me? I'm sorry to disturb you
this way but think the papers are inn
portant and ought to leave right off.
Would you mind ?"
s"Sure not!" replied Sam taking the
envelope, "Tll hop into the bus and
take it down."
"Are Roxie and Marcia out2"
yeah, gone to- the movies. with their
steadies," Sam grinned good-naturedly
"Oh, of course" she, mirmured,
smiling back at him and then added
curicusly, What were you doing, Sam,
when | interrupted your"
ooh, digging at the same old stuff,
replied Sam, as il she knew also what
that meant. He ran his big brown hand
Through his hair. Sometimes | think
it's the bunk, getting educated by alb
sent treatment. Bat | s'pose l nights
well do. it as to play pool OF take some.
jane to the movies"
Joyce returned to the house full Of
thoughts of Sam, plugging away by
himself out there alone and she forgot
for moment the problems of her own
situation. ~.
lust as she entered the living room.
a group of people came in with,a burst
of talking and laughing and took pos
session of the house.
you're my hotsy, I'm your totsy,
everything is. hotsy-totsy nowwww =
sang tall tnan with a bald head and
joviai pink face
Ioyce was seized in a rough embrace
Z by this hearty gentleman and kissed
several times before She could get
away.
Behind a veil Of smoke. Friils ex-
arnined the separate members of the
company. She was more relieved than
otherwise that the frce-and-easy man
rers of Frills' set demanded SO little
effort. Apparently nothing very definite
was expected of hostess; everyone
talked volubly and seemed entirely at
home. Both Ethel and Clarice were
present. now in dinner dresses and car
rings.
There were two other women, who
turned out to be Tess Farusworth and
Kate Belmain. Tess was about thirty
wears old, a. non-descript brunette with
a strained look back of her small brown
ewes. Kate Belmain was the oldest wo-
man in the party. Her white hair.
J,obbed and marcelled with such careful
skill that it quite rated the dignity of
being called a coiffure, made a most
becoming soft frame for her still ex-
cellent complexion.
The four men were commonplace
enough. Charlie Bates was a bachelor.
cheerful, uninteliigent. dissipated, ad-
dicted to the use of strong perfume.
Ed. Rawley, the "faithful Ed" Of Clar-
ices sarcastic comment, looked unhap-
py in this gathering. Ross Emery, who
had. greeted Frills so vociferously on
her entrance. proceeded to be the life
and death of. the party. The fourth. man
strolling restiessly about the room Try