Evening star., 1934-05-21


~ RIGS. 1t was TIE quiet hour
too early for cocktails. Sandra
hurried along with eyes straight. She
had neither time nor taste for the idle
chatter a meeting with an acquaintance
entailed.
A boy in garnet livery, with more
gold trappings than Japanese ad-
miral would rate, accompanied Sandra
to suite 679. Sandra put her finger on
the bell. A solemn English butler
answered. Sandra thought: Corinne
Is riding the high horse. Happy days
are here again"
The drawing room was abloom. A
bowl of orchids on the table, show
ing of gardenias, and many yellow
roses in tall vases. Presently there
vas the light fall of feet. Valerie.
She was stopped on the Threshold.
Hi, Sandy" Valerie moved forward
with the feline motion SO character
istic of her. "How's the budding Bern
hardt?"
Good enough" Sandra made ap-
praisal of Valerie. Her beauty was
ethereal. The pale rose was more
fragile. A delicate flower on the slen-
derest of stems. "Kow's mother?"
"As usual" Walls lips curled. Still
playing cheSs-With human paWns."
Seems to be family game" San
dra said significantly
Yes" Valerie toyed with a yellow
Bose. Ever play?"
Look here, Val" Sandra dug her
fingers into the arms of the chair Il
to Ha ;,oto
that you are divorced"
Val observed herself and Sandra in
an adjacent mirror. "Divorced?" she
said. Were you counting on it? You've
seen Gilbert" Valerie accused. Her
slant eyes were dashes of suspicion.
What them" Sandra met suspicion
with steel.
you've always wanted him." Valerie
accused.
Don't f1atter yourself. If I had
wanted him-oh, what's the uSe?"
Il have him" Valerie thrust her face
close to Sandra's
You mean you had him for a
moment. The least said about that
moment the better. AS far as I'm
concerned, he's yours forever. Where's
Corinne? I didn't come here to
fence"
why did you Gomez"
I'm wondering" Sandra said and
moved to go. She had risen when
her mother came in, hurried to San
dra, embraced her with just the proper
dramatic fervor My poor child -
Corinne murmured. I've missed you
So" Then she felt electricity sparkling
in the air and drew back
MY daughters have been quarre
ing again" she moaned. What a way
fo- sister to greet sister. 1t does seem
you might have enough respect for
your mother to make her Homecoming
happy"
shes been playing around with
Gil again" Valerie choked.
Mrs. Reynal raised jeweled hands.
"Sandra!" she gasped.
Don't swoon. mother" Sandra
said. She had lost interest in the
mock-drama, wanted to get away from
it as quickly and as quietly as pos
sible. Val is merely having one of
her frolics with the green-eyed mon
ster. I haven't been playing around
with Gil Though why Val should
give a hoot, now she's divorced him,
don't make out"
Divorced her husband?" Mrs. Rey-
nal bridaled. But Valerie has done
nothing of the Sort
Vals laughter peeled through the
room. high-pitched, gloating. That's
one score on you, my clever Sandy"
she cried.
Val had cheated Gil. then. about
going to Paris for a divorce. Some da =
Gil or another man would strangle
Val, Fasten their fingers in her per-
feet throat and still the lies that
festered there
''Why me?" Sardra managed to say
She felt an actual physical revulsion
toward Val. "The score is on Gil. Be
careful it doesn't bounce back and hit
you between the eyes"
eve will not discuss this unpleasant
subject" Mrs Reynal announced with
her customary finality Valerie is
taking a place at Soundview for the
Summer. It's really stunning choice
the Belmar estate The Belmars
are summering abroad You're to come
with us, Sandra. The nost desirable
people are going to Soundview this
Summer. There should be any num-
Der of eligible men"
Sorry, darling" Sandra pulled on
her gloves. I'm all signed up for the
Summer"
You mean you've accepted an in
vitation-from the Courtlandts per-
haps. But that was before you knew
about your sisters plans. You must
give your regrets"
1T isn't that sort of invitation.
have been asked by a friend to play
a part in skit he has written for
the show, Princess Pep I've &C
cepted."
But you can't possibly remain in
town during the Summer. The heat
there's no one here"