The Washington times., 1935-12-21

ped talking to her about Kipp e.
Somewhere a clock chimed
seven times. Ann wished Lewis
would come. Wished Carlotta had
not gone and left her alone in
the apartment to wait for him.
It was so unbearably still.
She went into the living room
and lighted a cigarette and sat
down in one of Carlotta's long
white leather chairs.
Everything in Carlotta's living
room was black and white and
silver there were white leath.
er chairs and black wool rug
and silver flowers in white jade
bowls. It was a little cold and
a little bizarre and quite, quite
modern. AS modern as AIMS sill
yer gown and bloodstained finger
nails as exotic az the green
orchids tina: dripped against her
bare Shoulder.
yShe didn't like it. She had
never liked it. And she liked it
less than ever tonight, waiting
alone in it, for Lewis to come and
take her to dinner...
She didn't like it. She had
either, or the way it made her
look and feel. She didn't like
having to remember not to push
her fingers through those sleek,
curled bangs.
She smoked furiously, trying not
to think of other things she didn't
like to remember; trying to think
only of casual, pleasant and quite
unimportant things like the play
she and Steve had seen the night
before, or the new makeup Car
lotta wanted her to try, or the
new Speakeasy Lewis had prom
iSed to take her to tonight. :.
But all the time she was trying
so desperately to think of these
things. certain clear. distinct, and
cruelty complete little pictures
kept sliding with a sick persist
ency before her eyes.
Kipp and Francine standing
close together in small, brilliant
1y lighted room. Francine's dark
red mouth shaped like kiss.
Kipp, walking up and down
Judy Sleeper'S living room, up
and down. IT kissed her. Ann. ..
but that's all. ="
=. .Kipp saying, his chin thrust
out defiantly: Under the circum-
stances I think I behaved fairly
well. ="
Francine, her honey-colored
head tipped back, blowing slow,
perfect smoke rings. well, don't
forget. If you should get into a
jam, could help you out. >"
Franclne, going unhurriedly up
a gangplank Of ship that was
to sail at one minute past mid
night, a travel uoat over her arm,
a little leather makeup box in
her hand. looking so beautiful.
so cool. so self-possessed and we'll
pleased with herself. -.
Suddenly Ann was on her feet,
moving nervously about the room.
1t was absurd to torture herself
like this. absurd and senseless.
It was the sort of thing she had
been fighting against for weeks.
The doorbell rang. Sharply.
1mperatively. Ann made a soft
little sound of relief and moved
toward it swiftly. The silver gown
sWished gently as she went. =.
That would be Lewis, she
thought, and wondered a little
vaguely how he happened to be
SO early and why he hadn't been
announced from downstairs. Then
she opened the door.
She started to speak. She
started to say: Hello, Lewis. -"
Her lips parted but never formed
the words. Because the man who
hadn't been announced was not
Lewis at all. It was Kipp.
She stood quite still and stared
at him with wide, incredulous
eyes. Then she said slowly, stupid
ly: But thought you were still
In London.
'I know you did" said Kipp.
"But you see I'm not. I'm in
New York" His eyes swept swift
ly. casually, over the silver frock