The Indianapolis times., 1935-12-28
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

THE six guests-Paula included
u Looked at Dana as Paula
launched her surprise. You had
luncheon with Scott?" Dana ex-
claimed impulsively.
Paula smiled. Yes. He had been
to see Evelyn MarSton who's i'll with
flu. Our apartments are on the
same floor, you know. I was going
over to inquire about her and ran
into Scott"
80 you lassoed him and lugged
him in to luncheon" supplemented
Ronnie dryly.
Everybody laughed, breaking the
tension.
yes" Paula nodded 1T required
my best lassoing. He was bent or
eating at some awful restaurant
and hurrying on to some engage
ment or other, but I remembered
it was his birthday and used that
as an argument. What really wor
was probably, the odor of broiled
quail which foated out at the mo-
ment. opportunely"
Ronnie asked Dana later when the
buzz of conversation kept Others
from hearing, Don't you really care
what Scott does? Or are you a first
rate actress, as I suspected at din
ner?"
"The funny part is / do care"
Dana said. I'm just one of those
stuffy wives who want to monppo-
lize their husbands, especially on
days like birthdays. Isn't it silly
of me to feel simply awful because
Paula had luncheon with him and
he wasn't here at my birthday
dirner?"
There's no real harm in Paula,
Ronnie soothed. "She has her gooe
points, only it happens she is quite
definitely in love with your hus.
| band. And a woman in love CAM
always be relied upon. I wouldn'
bank too much on Paula's friend
| ship, if I were you, Dana"
1T won't do her any good to be
in love with him." Dana said
IT shouldn't think So" Ronnie
agreed.
There was something flatterine
about Ronnie's loyalty and admira.
ton. Tonight Dana found it un,
usually pleasing.
Vt was while she was talking tt
l. Ronnie that Dana looked up anc
found Nancy staring at her. There
was something so strange in Nancy
eyes that Dana was startled. Al
of the old antagonism was back il
Nancy's gaze. 1t was ridiculous Il
think that, yet it was true. Wha
in the world was back of it? Die
Nancy think she was having a fir
tation with Ronnie?
'If she only knew" Dana
thought, amused, that there ism
man in the world except Scott II
look at twice"
The guests stayed late. Finally
Paula insisted they must all go OF
to her place to play roulette on hel
new miniature table.
Nancy refused, giving some ex.
cuse and Ronnie begged off because
he was leaving town early in The
morning. 1t ended with Ronnit
taking Nancy home, leaving Tee
free to go with the others to Paula S
Nancy, Dana thought, looked
pleased over the change in part
ners. She didn't blame her. Tee
was a bore,
When the door closed behind hel
guests Dana walked slowly into the
kitchen. Azalea had left everything
as neat as a pin, and low blaze
was keeping SCOTS dinner warm.
1t had been a successful party
And Scott had not even arrived
for. the tail end of the festivities
1t had all been planned for him
and he might as well have beer
at the North Pole.
Ddud tUIu SItc WdS DC~
ing poor sport. After all, it
hadn't been any fun for Scott to
have to rush away and then eat
his birthday dinner alone.
She was in this mood of peni-
tence when she met Scott at the
door at 2. She had heard his key
in the lock. and had put on slip.
pers and robe.
| CCOTT was tired, disheveled
~ sleepy. But he was pleased I'm.
mensely pleased. He didn't wan
anything. he said, except some hot
coffee. AS a concession to Dana;
pleadings, he nibbled at the fooc
and praised it carelessly. His mind
she could see, was back on the
drama in the home he had just left
Scott was acting, Dana thought, a!
though baby had never been borr
before.
Fine young beggar," he laid
Weighed eight pounds, two ounces
No wonder he gave me so mucf
trouble And could he yell!
And what do you think, Dana?"
Scott went on. when Mrs. Law.
sor heard that 1t was my birthday
nothing would do but that the
youngster should be named for mt
Scott Lawson. Not a bad name
what?"
"I didn't say anything" Dana
teased. She was back in bed now
Sitting up, watching Scott wht
sprswled negligently at the foot
But of course" Dana conceded
"it's really a beautiful name"
"Of course it is," Scott Dragged
Dana curved her lips in a for.
giving kiss. you may Kiss me be.
cause I'm rather fond of you-al
the same"
Scott kissed her. giving her &
bear hug at the same time. WHY
the supplementary phrase?" Scot