Evening star., 1934-05-23
INSTALLMENT XVII.

come. she leaned FORWARD ana placed
speaking tube to her lips. Chez
Clement, Hunter" she ordered. then
sank back again in the cushions.
J Sandra took the tube. Just mo-
.ment, Hunter" she said. I'VE may
not go to the Clement"
:. But you must, my child" Mrs. Rey-
*nal whimpered. i've had the most
Fearful experience. Gilbert Akin
visited me this evening. How Valerie
ever could have made the mistake Of
marrying such brutal mamie de-
uiands q divorce-he demands it."
Then why not give it to him?"
Sandra asked calmly.
"Give it to him? He intends to
take it. He's going to Reno. Some
one has been base enough to build
Valeries little friendship with the
Baron le Fargo into an affair"
Just what does Gil know" More
storms. Would skies never clear?
He threatens us. He says that un-
less Valerie allows him to obtain the
divorce in Reno without contest he will
bring suit here in New York. He will
name that horrid LIE Fargo person. He
has informed the baron of his plans
How dare he blacken the name of my
daughter, the wife he has neglected so
shamefully-"
Never mind how he dares. The
thing is he has evidently made up his
mind Listen, mother, you go on to
the Clement. Steve is having a party
downtown tonight to celebrate the
opening Of his skit in the play. He's
taken Val on with him. There's moth
ing to be done about Gil's plans to-
night. If Walls been a fool again
about Reno now-shell have to find
her way out"
"Ah--my heart!" Mrs Reynals
hands fiuttered at her breast.
Your heart is quite all right, dar-
ling" Sandra said. and pulled Co
rinne's hands close to her own flushed
cheeks. "It's your spine that's weak"
"Sandra-to your own mother!"
II know darling" Sandra's lips
brushed her mothers cheek. I'm just
trying to be sensible, and hope help
full I'll send Val home as soon as
ever I can
She's to come at once. At once.
Not a moments delay. And you are
to come along"
Sandra raised the speaking tube.
"Drive Mrs. Reynal to the Clement,
Hunter" she said. Then she brushed
Corinnes cheek again with her lips.
I'll pop along and join the crowd.
Please don't get yourself in state.
mother"
Gilbert did say he would make
liberal provision for Valerie if she
did not oppose him." Corinne assured
herself. rather than Sandra, as her
daughter stepped from the car.
Sonny Warren was waiting to greet
Sandra at Pozzi's. Sonnys loyalty
was so steadfast it hurt. Long ago
she had given him to understand
that camaraderie was the most he
could expect. Yet she knew he cher
ished the hope. that she might find
it in her heart to give him more. Here
he was, with his CHEEKY Hi. Sandy.
I'm pinch hitting for the host. He
hasn't turned up"
"Steves not here? Then he must
be riding downtown on the shoulders
Of an admiring public" Sandra
laughed. Her throat was doing
stunts.
If there's any shoulder riding be-
ing done, Sandy, you're leading the
parade" Sonny declaimed. "You GER
tainly glorifled the girls east Of the
deadline tonight. We're going to erect
a monument to you as soon as we find
q suitable spot"
Everybody else here?" Sandra
asked.
I'm person. Bubbles is inside, raw
ing like newly elected Congressman;
Elise Prentice is doing her customary
drooling, Beano is Dragging about the
night you danced three straight with
him at the clambake, and noble baron
is fitting hither and yon, muttering
your name"
"And you?" Sandra challenged.
"I'm the strong, silent kind Watch
ing for chance to cut in and carry
you off to my treasure cove. I warn
you I'm desperate man. Look who's
here! The boy author himself and
the bee-ooo- tiful Mrs. Akin"
10, Sonny" Valerie's slant eyes
slid to where Rene lie Fargo sat with
Bubbles.
"Val collected a headache" Steve
explained. She thought turn in the
park might blow it away. Sorry. Let's
get going"
Sandra's throat was doing stunts
again. Obviously Val meant to ap-
propriate Steve. She had followed
him around the table, taken the seat
at his right was covering him with
the fattering cloak of her eyes.
Author! Authorl Speech! Speechl"
Beano raised the cry. It was taken
up by others.
Stephen smiled broadly, the shin
ing smile that caught at Sandra's
heart. His glance swept the circle,
rested on Sandra.
Are you all members of this club?"
he asked.
1--WE are!" came the chorus.
"Then I can speak freely. Thanks
for the honor you do me. I have a
confession to make. This honor does
not belong to me. It belongs to an
other member-raise your glasses,
boys and girls, drink to the real rea-
son for tonight's successfully!
A clamor Of appreciation. Glasses
we're tipped.
Sandra raised a hand for silence
Thanks, Steve" she said, and was
shameless about her eyes being dim.
"Steve's being modest" she managed.
"I had very little to do with the
skit-it's what Steve's put into 1t
that's made it the success of the
show. propose toast to the author.
Long may he wave!"
Another clamor Another tipping
OF glasses. Steve was protesting, his
blue eyes so serious, his chin so firm.
his smile so warm. Val leaned
forward and touched his arm. Steve
signaled q waiter. The spell was
broken.
After coffee Sandra slipped out and
signaled Val to follow. The answer
was an impatient gesture. but Val
Joined her in the dressing room.
Mother was waiting for me at the
stage door tonight" Sandra said.
"She's terribly upset. Gil has been
to see her. He's going to Reno for
that divorce you failed to get in