The Washington times., 1935-07-30


In O general conversation
about books or plays or cur
rent event, Helen, while not q
great talker nor nearly so
bristlingly up on things as the
Riley girls, had an intelligent
opinion and she was, as Stella
said. quite well informed" But
as soon as Helen took part in
q discussion, one or the other
adroitly changed the subject
until they came to their favorite
topic, the Salons. And here
again If Helen ventured an
opinion-after all. she had
spent three years at Anastasia's
they would charmingly pat
her head and imply that the
little woman at home should
enjoy her luxuries and should
never bother her pretty little
head with the sordid details Of
the business.
BY midwinter she was at her
wits end. But even before
Walter began to find these
evenings irkSome, Helen Sensed
he was not satisfied and she
took heart. Perhaps he would
find a. way to stop this ava
1anche of friendliness and cor
diality that was like a rope
around her neck.
They were at 1rene's on New
Years Eve for a formal dinner
party.
Helen had stage fright no
longer. She could even ven
ture to talk when she was not
in range Of 1rene's cool. critical
eye. Helen'S success with the
Terhunes (She was there at
least once a week and often
she went down just to spend
an afternoon with the old
lady) was a surprise and a
source of annoyance to Irene.
She knew-becauSe Cecily told
her-that .Cecily and Helen
had subscribed to a series OF
orchestral concerts on Tuesday
afternoons. Irene found out
too that Helen went to tea at
the Terhunes' and even spent
the night there once when it
rained so hard that Mrs. Ter
hume wouldn't let them go
home.
Tonight Helen wore p green
velvet evening gown, very dark
and simple. She wasn't quite
sure of the dress, but Marian
had adored it. Walter, &C.
customed to the extreme fash
ions his sister affected, thought
it was a sweet shift, mice and
simple"
Praises Dress
Irene spotted the dress the
instant she saw Helen. She
gasped q little at the snowy
whiteness Of Helen's back. The
dress had no trimming: not a
pin or a clasp. It was cut
low but conServatively and was
draped simply to one side. The
quality of the material was its
only decoration: its seductive
ness was its stark simplicity.
Helen wore her long fair hair
low on the nape of her neck
and the wide, natural waves
shone like silver in the soft
light.
That's q smart frock,"
Irene conceded. How did you
happen to choose it?"
Helen smiled. She missed
the quite" in Irene's approval.
She knew now the dress was
exceptional. Marian and I
saw it in Milgrim'S yesterday.
We both liked it at once"
TITS a little too sophisticated
for your type but it is becom.
ing. You mustn't ever, you
know, get away from the kind
of thing that is your type"
Helen saw Dirk alone for a
second and she made her way
to where he stood.
Hello" he grinned, "you
really look absolutely SWELL"
THANK you, sir. You look
nice too," she leased. "1've
never seen anyone who looks
as well as you do in a dinner
coat. And you have the love-
lest blue eyes," she added can
didly, land you're the only
man I know whose glasses
don't spoil his looks"
Nov you listen to me,
young woman. I've got a whole
bagful of compliments for you.
First, your skin is like the glow
of flames on old ivory and,
second"
"Oh, please. I'd rather not
hear any more" She laughed.
my vanity simply can't stand
up under it,"
He looked down at her stead