The Washington times., 1935-12-19

New York. and the publishing
business?"
He shrugged. New York IS
dead and the publishing business
is poor. But your book is doing
better than twenty thousand
already. we could do with few
more like you on our list. l saw
Jeff a few days ago and he says
the International people are Ill
terested in it."
Yes. They're buying it.
may go out to Hollywood this fall
On a six months contract"
Mason said: Swell. but lets
not talk shop.
Sorry, darling. How's Julia?"
Fine"
"Still jealous Of me?"
He shrugged laconically. "Oi
you. and any female between
the ages of seventeen and seventy
What a woman!"
But so nice and rich, Gil, and
so good to you. when you De
have" Francine's voice was SOFT
and velvety. Her eyes were smil
ing at him caressingly. And you
did have a yen for the publishing
game, didn't you. darling? And
what chance has a young aSsoci
ate editor. ="
That's right" grinned Mason
rub it in"
You love to don't you? Well,
let me tell you, I've paid plenty. ."
But it's been worth it. hasn't
it? Of course it has. Mason and
Howard. such a successful young
publishing house !" Her words
we're gently hooking.
by the way" she continued and
now she spoke carelessly, almost
indifferently, did Jeff send you a
novel by Kipp Suyden a few weeks
ago."
Mason nodded. Yes. We've
been holding it but we're sending
it back. 1t got an enthusiastic re-
port from Campbell but we're not
taking it on. Too much Of a
gamble. 1t isn't sure-fire enough
.. although it might be a sky
rocket. of course Anyway, we're
not taking it on"
The taxi swung smoothly past
the Arc de Triomphe. Francine
said softly, her eyes turned away
from him: TITS just occurred to
me that I've been in Paris in
September before. " She said
then: How long does it take you,
usually, to change your mind,
Gn?"
He looked at her sharply, his
eyes guarded. IT don't get you"
Don't you?" Her fingers were
playing with her flat black suede
purse. The marcasite clasp clicked
open and shut.
What are you driving at? Try
ing to do little inside work for
young Suyden?" Mason's voice
wPS clipped; a little ugly.
1 Francine lifted a slender eye
brow, brought her eyes back to
him lazily. Trying to tell you
that he's written a good book.
that you ought to have it on you
fall list"
Sorry. I'd like to please you. D..
but I don't see it that way"
! But I think you're going to,
darling, I think you're going to-
Francine's fingers slid into the
black purse. Emerged slowly.
Mason moved his eyes unwill.
ingly from the square, white enve
lone in her hand to her face.
"Rlacknail?" he asked. a muscle
tv'iching along the line of his Jaw
Francine Shuddered delictely.
Such an unp 'easant word, darling
80" She tapped the letter against
her teeth, smiled at him over the
edge of it. cts a good book. You
won't lose money on it. And if you
should. you make enough on me
-"
Mason grinned bleakly. Gall
right. you win. But for Lords
sake, don't let Julia. ="
Francine sighed softly. IT should
hope not" She slid the letter back
into her purse. IT hate messy
situations, don't YOU? And Julia
Gets 81 hvSterical. doesn't she?
Shes so completely the possessive
tyne. ="
She said then: Paris is lovely
in September, isn't it? I wish !
could stay over. did I tell you !
was going on to Antilles, tonight?"
TO Be COntinued)
Copyright, 1884, by AIlens CorlisS Dis
tributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.