The Washington times., 1935-07-27
WHOSE WIFE?-SOCIETY NIGHT LIFE SECRETS Barred
Who Holds Keyto Riddle
Of the Disappearance
OF Isobel Vane?

7 8IS 90 uAO16 70 nave III UQGX3
pected gueSt-as he is old, and
rather particular in his ways. I'm
about to ask you all TO call this
an evening-for tomorrow morn
ing you will very likely have to
revert to childhood, and rise very
early indeed"
who's the other guest, Schuy-
ler?" they called. 1.-THE old one?"
Santa Claus" he answered in
q completely serious tone.
Amid laughter and chat they
broke up the games, and dis
persed to their quarters, calling
goodnightS and wise cracks to
each other down the long upper
hall, until one by one the doors
had closed behind each well.
dressed back.
Wilbur Renton hesitated at the
head Of the stairs, and Whis-
pered to Betty, under cover Of
the general chatter.
II must see you, Betty. It's
important-more important than
you know"
"Sh!" she warned. IF I can,
I'll meet you later, Wilbur-on
the terrace-keep quiet now--it
looks silly for us to be whisper
ing, under the circumstances"
mo-" he said. mot on the
terrace. It's too cold there.
Make it the turret sitting.room
on this floor, just above the con-
servatoire--please."
"Oh, all right, If I can man.
age it-lotS later" and she
slipped past him to her own
room.
She had just changed into
Chinese blue lounging BAHAMAS
Of lustrous satin, when Suky
came in from the dressingroom,
and, finger to lip in warning,
whispered:
"Come heah, Miss Betty-Son-
PIN out heah sounds mighty
queer to mel"
Betty went to the door with
the old woman, and both de.
iherately listened.
They Listen
From the hall outside, which
had already been darkened by
order Of their host, came hushed
voices. Yet 1t was easy to dis.
tinguish one as that Of Roger
Thornley,, and the other as that
Of Donetta Dane Millbanks.
Donetta was talking rapidly,
and Betty overheard the last few
words of what she was saying:
being with her!"
whats that?" Rogers reply
was more than q whisper, so
deeply did the low tones rasp.
who told you anything about
it,"
"1 got a wire from Gerry to-
night"
why the tricky little liar" he
swore. 1.-The tricky little -"
His voice became violent, though
still low. Keep your mouth
shut, Donetta, If you know what's
good for you'll You take tip
from me-and keep your mouth
Shut"
"Why-Roger-" she breathed
fearfully.
"Just remember - keep your
mouth shut" There came the
sound Of his footsteps, as he
walked rapidly toward his own
room; a muffled gasp from Don.
eta, as she stood there for 3
moment in q daze-then the
sound Of q door opening and
Donettas voice again, raised
slightly, though still hushed.
"Oh. Mr.. vane," she called
softly.
eyes," came the quiet answer.
II was just going to get q book
from the library. Is there any.
thing can do for you, Donetta?"
Betty, listening within the door
Of her own room, caught her
breath as she heard his casual,
intimate use of her first name.
She recalled as they had entered
together, the formality with
which he had greeted his hostess.
and the equal formality with
which she had responded.
"Lawrence?" Donetta'S answer
caused Betty fresh shock. You
will be careful, won't you? You
won't let Schuyler suspect?"
Don't worry, Donetta. You
are safe with me-" His voice was
steady.
ut would just break his heart
If he ever found out" Donetta
whispered. HE trusts me So
and, Lawrence, he doesn't know Q
thing about that"
Don't worry, Donetta. You
can trust me-" he said. Thank
you. Goodnight"
White-faced, Betty turned to
Suky.
WELL" she cried bitterly. 1T
just goes to prove that you can't
trust anyone that walks on two
legs in this old world. Obi I
didn't mean you" as tears welled
into her black eyes. II know I
can trust you until the judgment
day.. I'm upset-go on to bed.
Suky. I'm going to myself" She
laughed Q little bitterly. And
in the morning Santa Claus will
come with something nice for
| aach and ever-v one of uS."