The Washington times., 1935-07-13

edged to herself, with characters
tic honesty, that she was in love
and deeply so, with this tall blond
man, who held her so tenderly IN
the circle Of his arms,
why why :. Schuyler ~
she stammered. II never thought
:. :" Her voice trailed away and
faded as he frightened his clasp.
you've Just got to say yes, Don
etta-sweetheart," he breathed the
last little word close against her
ear.
But. how can I leave Kate
and the gang?" she wavered.
II will arrange all that" He
spoke with the arrogance Of love
and the assurance Of many mil
lions. "The main question Is, dc
you care enough for me to come?
DO you love me, Donetta?"
Slowly she lifted her lovely eyes
to his. She looked deeply into his
anxious gaze, then smiled a be
witchingly tender smile, and said
frankly, gently, without shame:
Eyes, Schuyler. I do love you"
For q moment they moved in
rhythmic unison, close and silent
in that first sacred intimacy OF
acknowledged love.
Then Donetta drew away a little
and said:
But. Schuyler, I can't 20 with
you"
"of course yous can," he was
buoyant in his happiness and tri'
umph. "Of course you can. Just
try to get away from me now
young lady. Why, you're my
prisoner-of love-forever."
She laughed with him, then her
face saddened.
IT can't leave Gerry" she told
him. "Gerry's hard, but she's al
ways been great to me-and she
loves me. Perhaps I'm the only
thing Gerry really loves in the
world. I can't leave her."
We'll take her with us, and fix
up something good for her in New
York" He pulled her irresistibly
toward their table. "Come on
we're going to tell them now!"
mo. Wait!" she protested in
vain.
I'm boss now" he laughed
until after we're married. Then
you can be boss for ever after
Roger! Gerry! We've got news to
tell you that'll knock your eye
out!" He struck a pose, one arm
still round the laughing embar'
raised girl.
I'm the happieSt man that
walks the earth tonight. Donetta
is going to marry me, and we're
going East together. Go get Kate
I'll treat the house. Everybody
my guests! Have to have a real
celebration for an event like this. u
Kate came up at the commo'
ton, heard the news, and took it
like the good sport she was.
IT hate to lose my best dancer
Mr.. Millbanks," she said. "But
you're getting one swell little
girl" She turned to the crowded
floor.
"Give this little girl a hand
she doomed. "Donetta Danes go
ing to put on a platinum band
and be Mrs. Schuyler Millbanks
Come on, everybody-giVe this
little girl a hand!"
The house went wild.
CHAPTER XXI
Cyrus K. Mantel and Lawrence
Vane bent together over the big
sketchbooks, which Cyrus K. had
expressed a desire to see.
These are Of Isobel, my wife
said Vane, indicating two very
attractive studies, semi-draped. 81
did these of her quite a while
ago. You know she was my model
before we were married" He
seemed a little embarrassed as he
spoke.
"You had many other models?'
Cyrus K. was casual.
"Oh, yes! quite a number. You
know portraiture is my speciality
but I have done a number OF
murals. In fact, I got a large
contract for murals for a new
library out VEST had already
started some of the sketches"
He shuffled through the port.
folio, and drew forth several in.
tereSting, rough sketches. all in
the nude, and most Of the femi'
nine figures in some graceful pos.
ture Of the dance. They looked
like the beginnings Of what would
later develop into a painting that
might be titled Spring"
did your wife pose for any
Of theSe?" Cyrus K. asked.
"No. none Of them. She was
best in still. languorous poses"
Cyrus K. looked up keenly.
did your wife object to any Of
your other modelS?" he asked.
Eyes. She did"
1.-THE first week we were mar
ried." Vane'S voice was low but
steady. II also discovered that
ISobel had married me for posi-
ton, and money. She liked the
dignity Of being a married woman.
Then I began to hear things about
her past life-I couldn't believe
them at first"
Secret Thoughts
But you came to believe them
later?" Cyrus K. asked.
IT had to-"
did this knowledge make you
turn against your wife?"
I'm a way, it did, Of course. But,
you see Mr.. Mantel, she had al
ways repulsed my advances, and
nv infatuation had already begun