The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-01-17

on with it. There was nothing else
to do. Lila-bless her heart for an
angel and beauty!-was used to
this sort of existence.
"I'll bet those Weaver kids are
having fun" he told himself, with
CLEAN of .humor. 81 bet they've
got a toy tree with silver balls and
all the rest Of it," He liked Gypsy.
He thought her "a good sport"
Tom seemed nice chap, too. What
a game they had made of the little
supper at their house that Sunday
night. He had thoroughly enjoyed
himself. Lila hadn't, though. Fun.
ny how women were about the so.
cial racket. Now, he'd been brought
up very simply, himself. His
father had been the village doctor
and there had been no frills about
his boyhood. Lila was different.
She wasn't content unless she had
real lace on the fingerbowl doilies.
Gypsy's little party had bored her,
she said afterward. Not that she
wasn't fond of Gypsy. She was.
But we must have them over
here" she had decided. They just
can't do any entertaining in that
little box of an apartment. It's alb
surd to try"
Derek had opened his mouth to
protest but had stopped, just in
time. He was learning things about
Lila. She hated to be disagreed
with. Not that she hadn't a won.
derful disposition, said Derek loyal.
ly, but she was just spirited g.
imperious. Rather nervous, too.
these days. He rather thought she
smoked too much, though he didn't
like to suggest that.
He had worked himself into a
more cheerful frame Of mind by
the time he'd finished shaving. A
glance out Of the high windows
assured him of the fact that it was
showing again. Good enough! That.
at any rate, insured the Kris Krin'
gle touch.
Lila was beautiful in the soft
brown fur. What a lucky chap he
was to have her! He'd been fool
to think he could keep her all to
himself this afternoon. She was
far too lovely to stay hidden.
THE party at Marko's was in full
swing when they arrived. Mar
ko had the entire top floor of an
exclusive apartment hotel in the
east sixties. A man servant with
an impressive face let them in. He
was g. new one. Derek had never
seen him before. The noise strucf
him like blow, when the door
swung inward. Noise Of radio
music, of heightened human voices
Of slipping feet. People were dane
ing. Mako had a crowd, as usual
Lila was in her element. Sht
called greetings to half a dozel
people in the foyer as she passed
through. Darek felt a nervous
twitching in his cheek. Well, afte
drink or two he wouldn't mine
the racket so much. That was on
comfort.
His host greeted him. Marko wa
in high feather. He was buhblini
with gaiety. Had Derek seen tn
tree? All, he hadn't? But he mus
at once. Someone take Mr.. Bis
to the dining room. Lila. whispered
Mako in the younger mans ear
had chosen the decorations for him
Charming. Everyone admired then
so.
Derek, in the wake of a blon'
youth he remembered seeing u
Marko's private office the week be
fore, found the tree no familiar al
fair of laden fir bOughs and tinse
but an artificial one, a MODERNISM
tree in silver, all angles. Blu
stars appeared at intervals in 1t
travestied branches. Derek stared
but there was no admiration /
his eyes. Was this Lila's idea OF
Christmas tree? Almost he shut