The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-08-17
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@ ,o3s NEA Service, Inc.
81 NARD JONES

unaVOldaDIe mas happened 10 make
him late"
But still another hour passed and
Peter Fragonet had neither ap-
peared nor telephoned. Really wor-
ried now, 10 thought of telephon-
ing the famous Chinese" A hur-
ried voice answered her after a
short wait.
I'm interested to know if Peter
Fragonet is attending the premier
there tonight" 10 said, her voice
trembling.
The voice replied as if it had
answered hundreds of similar ques-
tions that night. Yes" it said.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fragonet have a
box with a party of friends"
II see. Thank you very
much. e. ."
10 sank back IN her chair, be-
J wildered beyond thought. Some
how she had believed that Mrs.
Fragonet was not in Hollywood at
all, and certainly Fragonet had
been emphatic enough in his state
ments that he would have nothing
to do with her again. And now
Edna Fragonet was not only in
Hollywood, but Fragonet was with
her in a box at Grauman's Chinese
theaterl
Suddenly 10 wilted. Suddenly
she felt more tired even than she
had that morning upon her ar
rival. With a choked sob she flung
herself on the bed How long she
lay there, fully clothed, she did not
know-but when the telephone
rang it reused her from a trou-
oled, dream haunted sleep. She
responded drowsily 1t was F'rago-
net. speaking in a low, guarded
voice.
30? 10, darling. I'm ter
ribly sorry"
"Its-it's quite all right" 10
managed to say. After all, what s
more right than that you should
attend a premier with your wife
rather than take me to Cocoanut
Grove?"
Then you know what hap
rened?" he asked, after pause.
II thought something had hap
pened to you. I telephoned the
studio and they told me about the
premier. So I called to make sure
you were there"
10, I've got to see you right
away. I've got to explain how ii
was"
Explanations aren't really neces-
sary."
But I'm going to make one, il
you'll believe me. I'll be over right
away"
Its too late. I've been in bed fol-
hours" 10 lied. Cant you tell me
over the telephone?"
Not very we'll. I'll be over right
away"
please don't"
But already he had replaced the
receiver at his end of the wire. HIS
would be at the apartment, as he'C
said. 10 was sure of it. Hurriedly
she bathed her face in cold water
rearranged her hair, busted herseli
with rouge and powder. She
mustn't let him see how disturbed
she'd been. She mustn't let hin
know it could matter.
W1TH1N a few minutes he was
w at the door. When he saw
her fully dressed for the evening
his face showed his establishment.
Il fibbed a bit about being il
bed" explained 10 lightly. The
truth was that I'd been asleep. It.
fortunate we didn't go to Cocoanu
Grove, really. I'd have fallen ASLEEP
at the table.
But Fragonet was deadly serious
10. / couldn't help what happened
tonight. I'd no idea Edna was il
town. I thought she was in The
/ East. But tonight, just as I wa'
about to leave, she came to the
house with Boleson, the big chic
at Atlas. He said there'd been gos-
sip and that I'd better appear al
the premier with Edna. They hac
it all arranged-the party of friend;
and all. I couldn't telephone vol
until just few minutes ago" He
stopped. What are you smiling
at. Jo?"
Was I smiling? I didn't mean
TO. But 1 was thinking about how
you said you'd be so quick to give
up pictures" 10 shook her head
slowly. You couldn't ever do that
You'll always jump when they crack
the whip-because you've built up
somebody called Peter Fragonet
and you daren't tear him down"
He tooi; a step toward her. II
will give pictures up, 10. swear
it, Only I can't afford to
have trouble now, just when they're
about 10 release a new picture of
mine. When that's done-then IL
tell Boleson and Edna where TO
CO."
II think it vas decent of Mrs
IL -net to hell you save your