The Washington times., 1935-11-25
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He came over to her immedi-
ately. He said: II was promised
that if I came you would be here.
So I passed UP prize fight. -"
Ann said that was sweet of him.
She said: Where have you been,
Stephen, I haven't seen you for
weeks"
Steve, it seemed, had been busy.
He had been reading millions of
books and interviewing millions
of writers. "all of them mediocre,
II you ask mel"
Ann said, yes, she knew he'd
been doing those things; she read
his column. Not, she admitted,
because she wanted to know about
the books he reviewed, but because
he wrote it. But she asked, what
had he been doing when he wasn't
working? Steve said he had been
sleeping mostly and drinking a
little, of course. Moderately.
Then, he said, remembering 1t
suddenly: "Oh, yes, and I've been
barging about a bit with one Of
Kipp's former playmates. little
Cynthia Grew"
Ann was surprised. She said
%. But why, SteVe?" She said
he didn't seem quite her type.
No, admitted Steve gravely, he
wasn't. There was no doubt
shout that. He was neither tall
enough nor handsome enough
and he wasn't anywhere near
quick enough on his feet; neither
did he have anywhere nearly
enough money. mot by about
thirty dollars an evening. I fear" 4"
he concluded gloomily, that she
had an ulterior motive in seek
ing me out"
"Meaning?"
Meaning that Kipp wouldn't
answer the telephone any more
and she wanted some firSt-hand
information as to how his mar.
riage to you was making out"
"And did she find out?"
"She did. I let her have it
as gently as possible, but in my
own inimitable way, darling, I
managed to convey to her that
you were both up and about and
doing well, AS a matter of
fact" he concluded less flip
PANTY, "She's not such a bad
little kid, Ann. Given half a
chance and less money. ="
I'm glad you were nice to her,
Steve. Kipp hasn't been, particu-
larly."
WELL" admitted Steve
honestly, "it didn't require any
great effort on my part. She's
o darn good-looking little piece. I"
Then he said, his voice chang.
ing slightly: What do you think
Of Sayre?"
Ann looked swiftly down the
length Of the room to where
Francine stood talking to Kipp
before the fire. She was wear.
ing gown of dull cream-colored
crepe, completely guilteSs of any
back except two fragile rhine
stone straps. She had, as Ann
noted almost at once, the sort of
back that responded amazingly
well to this treatment. BoneleSs
satinSmooth. little deeper ivory
than the silk of her gown. Her
hair, honey-colored and silky, was
folded tenderly about her head,
her mouth, thin, flexible, ex.
quiSitely rouged, was curled in a
faint smile, revealing those white,
aStonishingly even teeth. Behind
her head, on the high mantel, a
great bronze bowl of full-blown
coppery roses glowed darkly in
the freight.
The effect. Anne had to admit,
was good. The effect so far as
Francine was concerned. would
always be good. There would
always be roses, deep coppery
roses, and freight and sheath.
like crepe gowns without any
backs, and tall, handsome young
men like Kipp. If she could pos
Sibly arrange it. And looking at
her, you felt she would be able
to arrange it. For years and
years anyhow. and you hated
her a little for it. At least, you
did if you were Ann.
81 think" she told Steve, in a
perfectly polite, grave voice, that
she is quite charming. One under
stands. seeing her, why her books
have been tremendously success
full"
Does one indeed?" murmured
Steve, lighting a cigarette, grin.
ming at her steadily over the sharp
little flame of his lighter. Then
he said: Don't try to pull that
stuff on me, Ann, you hate her
like poison"
We'll" admitted Ann, giving
him a small, honest smile, some.
thing like that"
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