The Washington times., 1935-07-27
with o well-known New York label
adjoining its ornate exterior.


adjoining its ornate exterior.
"Ohl That's nice" Betty was
pleased. FLOWERS! Now we're all
right, Suky, that was the one thing
lacking for this costume-just the
note Of color that the frock lacked.
Hurry, open It! Give me that
card"
She took 1t from suky, and read
aloud:
Greetings and admiration from
Wilbur Renton."
scrawled underneath was, II
must see you alone"
That's nice Of him." said Betty.
"The flowers are from Mr.. Rem.
ton, Suky-hand them here. Oh!
how lovely! Orchids!"
"They won't go with that dress,
Miss Betty" said suky. They're
Q heap too pale. Whut yoh needs,
with silver and yoh red hair, Is
cape jasmin-that's white like
yoh face, and then the only color
u your mar.
Betty looked at herself, tried
the pale, mauve flowers, scentless
and formal-then handed them
back to the waiting black woman,
II guess you're right, suky," she
said. "They do strike q false
note"
She pinned the still.fresh cape
jaSmin. that she had worn down
from town, onto her shoulder, and
left the room in o faint enticine
wave Of perfume.
HUH" said old Suky, as she
put the discarded orchids into
water. "strike q false note!
reckon dat jest about the whole
truth"
The group that gathered In the
library for cocktails before din.
ner, was very gay. The girls brave
IN their holiday gowns, and the
men formal and well.groomed in
their black and white severity.
They all drank, amidst much
gay banter, to the bride and
groom-and then all trooped into
the dark.paneled Old English din.
lng.room.
The heavy oak table sparkled
with the heirloom silver and cut
glass Of the Millbanks, while at
the head Of the table Donetta pre-.
sided, and looked shyly down its
length ct Schuyler, whose ready
smile always met hers, to reaSsure
and steady her.
CHAPTER XVII
Dinner over, back they went,
herded laughingly by Schuyler
into the library.
"You will have to stay out of
the music room and the ball
room." he warned them. Santa
Claus may want them for his
own private purposes tonight,
You can use this room, the bill
lard room, the conservatoire, OF
any Of the other rooms-only
listen! while I think of 1t, any
OF you fresh-air fiendS can open
your windows, but pleaSe-for
the Lords sake-have q heart
and close the doors onto your
terraces. II you leave them
open the whole house will con
geal overnight-particularly as
there isn't q bedroom in the
whole shack that doesn't open on
to the terrace"
I'VE won't freeze you out
they promised him. well keep
those ole debbil terrace doors
cloSed-you see If we don't"
They were just sitting down ia
coffee and liqueurs, when the
butler came to Donetta.
Mrs. MillbankS." he said
There Is q call on the phone
from the telegraph station in the
village. They have q message
for you, and will not read 1t over
the wire, unless you come in per
son."
Donetta went to the telephone
and answered the clipped, arti
ficial question Of the operator at
the other end.
eyes. This is Mrs. Millbanks
speaking.
The voice parroted:
wireless from midocean-
from the Tenyo Maru-to Mrs.
schuyler Millbanks-shall I read
the message. madam"
eyes. Go ahead" Donetta
was startled and impatient.
The voice read:
ION my way to China, well
heeled, don't worry. Love. Sig
nature Gerry"
Slowly Donett& hung up the re.
ceivcr, and walked back to join
her guests, . puzzled frown mar.
ring her smooth forehead.
Schuyler met her at the door.
Anything serious, dearestP
You looked disturbed" he said
tenderly.
"No-no4H she answered, her
voice preoccupied. II hardly
know"
told her. 1--WE got some news
that I think will please you!
Roger Thornley, Just arrived. He's
upstairs now, changing. Isn't that
rice, sweetP He can tell US about
Gerry"
eyes" she repeated slowly.
Perhaps he can tell US about
Gerry"
They rejoined their guests,
and the arrival Of the new mem
Der Of the party was announced.
Roger Thornley, put in his ap-
uearance hard upon the heels Of
hiS host. and was greeted with