The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-07-20
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Joel gave an odd little crooked
smile. "You leave me in good and
certainly beautiful hands," he
conceded.
Luana wondered what that smile
of his portended. She did not
know that Joel Vandaveer was
well aware that his handsome wife
was fibbing to him as she had
steadily fibbed for a long time,
and that he was no longer wound
ed or annoyed, as he had once
been over her lack Of character.
He was thinking that Lorraine
was getting careless. Had she not
told him a couple of days ago that
she absolutely must go to this
opening? He had told her in reply
that he didn't think much of those
connected with the club and that,
as she seemed so keen on society,
and keeping up her position in it,
why mix herself with inferior
people?
True, in a way, he was fond Of
Lorraine. He was proud of her
beauty and her chic, but long
since he had realized her inferior
mental equipment and the frivo-
louSness of her character. She
never had made any effort to un-
derstand him or be a companion
to him. They had really very little
in common.
He was a fine man, q loyal man,
and no woman-chaSer. He thought
Luana a beautiful young girl, but
any idea Of flirting with her never
occurred to him for a minute. AS
a matter Of fact, the thought had
flashed through his mind that it
would be very pleasant to have a
daughter who looked like her and
had the same sweet, shy manner.
She seemed no more than II.
Lorraine and he had been mar
riec Is years. Lorraine had never
wanted a child, for fear it might
spoil her figure. Had she held diff
ferent views, it was possible they
might have had a daughter just
this age.
Lorraine was speaking to the
girl now, inviting her to a cocktail
party she was giving in the pent-
house the following evening.
do drop in, Miss Waters, any
time between S and 7 o'clock. And
bring an escort, if you like"
Luana thanked her, but did not
commit herself to say yes or no.
She thought it rather strange
that Mrs. Vandaveer should invite
her. But if she didn't turn up,
and Mr.. Quackenbush heard Of it,
would he be angry with her?
Mr.. Quackenbush did hear of
it. only an hour later, at the new
briGge-and-cocktail club to which
he had contrived to get himself
elected to membership.
He found himself at the bar be
side the lovely Mrs. Vandavee-,
who carelessly told him she had
invited Luana. Because lots Of
the women who voted for her in
your competition will be there.
Also. I feel she's sort of a protegee
of mine. Let her off at S, Mr..
Quackenbush, because she's GER
tainly a good advertisement for
YOU"
He conceded this. So con-
WINGED was he that Luana was
an lad" that he insisted she
wear-for the occasion only, be
it understood-a $3.50 Cocktail
gown" Of sapphire blue velvet
that moulded Luana's lissom
body as if she had been poured
into it. It had silver metallic
collar, and long tight sleeves, and
the tiniest of trains. He was
attempting to revive the Eugene
hat. His milliner had created
one out Of the same blue velvet
as the gown, with a feather curl
ing under the chin in a lighter
shade of blue. Luana wore this
to the party.
Jimmy Randolph called for
her at the shop on Fifth Avenue
at five. Bearing in mind Mrs.
Vandaveer's suggestion about an
escort. Luana had asked Jimmy
to escort her.
"It isn't much in my line
cocktail-partying, I mean-but if
you want me I'll co." he told
her accommodatingly.
Ito Be COntinued)
copyright. 1885, by King Features
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