Evening star., 1936-08-12
INSrAIINaENT VI


in his room was any criterion, a not
day was in prospect.
Mrs. Kendall allowed her guests
some latitude in their appearance at
breakfast, as we'll as individual choice
In the matter of their cereals and
eggs. Notes, thumb-tacked to the in
side of room doors, specified a 8
o'clock deadline underscored.
Deeds was uncertain as to the de-
STABILITY of being an early or a late
arrival at the table. He was in the
mood to chuck the function, but real
lied that his healthy stomach would
be clamoring for food long before the
noon hour. While he was dwadling
about trying to make up his mind, his
watch told him that he would do we'll
if he made the table in time to have
his toast and coffee.
Somewhat to his relief, there was
no one in the dining room but the
two Elledges.
Sloan vouchsafed nothing more
than a stare in return for the younger
mans CHEEKY greeting and resumed
his breakfast, which seemed to con-
sist of dry toast and hot water. DR..
John supplied a jerky Good morning,
my young friend" and forthwith gave
his attention to a pamphlet OF some
sort that lay open beside his plate.
He bent his face over it, peering at
the print of near-sighted fashion.
Germs for breakfast, Deeds con-
cluded in superior disgust. He made
short work of his own meal
When he entered the Office he gave
a start of pleased surprise to discover
Joan beside one of the front windows,
reading a newspaper. She was wear
ing a little dress of brown-and-white
bingham that made her look fresh
and cool. Deeds noticed her hair al
most the first thing. 1t had lost its
mechanical perfection of the day be-
fore. 1t was beautifully shining,
soft 80.
He drew a long breath.
AS If she had heard, Joan peeped
cuddenly over the top of her paper
Good morning"
Hello, joan
Beautiful day isn't it?"
IT hadn't noticed" He drew nearer
and looked down at the top of her
head. Your hair looks swell.
Thank you. Too bad it won't last
About the first time I go in the
water -"
There 1t was.
iv, rnnr9inpo deeds
asked it with elaborate carelessness
NO. I think not. I'm going to
sit around and look beautiful while
may. Perhaps I'll stroll down and
watch you give your swimming les
SON." She glanced at a small alarm
clock that stood on the key box case
You should be getting ready"
Deeds came closer and lowered his
voice.
Don't rub it in. You heard her fix
1t up last night, didn't you? I couldn't
get out of it wanted to go in
with you this morning
you're only trying to spare my
feelings" Joan insisted soberly. mo
I didn't listen to what you two were
saying last night. I ate breakfast
with Claire. She's thrilled. Wait un-
til you see her she's blossoming
out in a new swimming suit for your
benefit
Yeah? I don't care if she wears a
gunny sack"
Joan's brown eyes were twinkling.
you're rather a dear, Mac. But
I don't believe a word of it. You're
not fooling me a bit. It's Won
derful chance you're getting. Claire's
sweet
She broke off suddenly as the two
doctors emerged from the dining
room. Sloan made his way directly
to the front stair, but DR.. John paused
and regarded the two other occupants
of the room blinkingly. AS he started
in their direction Deeds shrugged his
shoulders and muttered an excuse for
leaving.
A fine start for the day. he told him.
self, as he mounted to his room. Joan
was only kidding, of course but
1t wasn't funny. She had called him
Mac again. That helped. But it
didn't help when she called that blond
sweet"
There was only one girl who was
.. that way.
He kicked off his shoes and flung
them away. then slowly divested him.
self of his garments. 1t was his Gus
tom to wear nothing more than his
trunks in the water and when loafing
about in the sand. This morning,
however, due to some difference that
he could not have explained satisfac-
toriy, he hunted up the top piece of
his swim suit and wriggled into it. 1t
was white woolen garment and none
too clean.
But what the devili
. He found an unopened pack of
cigarettes and tucked them in the
pocket of his trunks. Queer that Joan
didn't smoke Claire did rather
necessarily. When he was ready for
the water, and his watch told him the
hour had arrived, he went down and
settled himself moodily on the top
step OF Ine porch
Let her find him.
Claire did find her escort, still wait
ing half an hour later. She came
pattering across the porch, swinging
her bathing cap in her hand. Deeds
came very near to emitting sur
prised whistle as he rose to his feet.
"Sorry to keep you," she apologized,
cheerfully. First time I've worn this
suit and it needed :. a few adjust
ments. Like it?"
"I'll say"
Deeds found himself hoping un-
comfortably that the adjustments
had been made with an eye to safety
Little more than trunks. of dull blue
and as scanty as his own. The up
per part of the suit" was comprised
of something that resembled blue
polka dot handkerchief, bound across
the fiat, girlish breasts and knotted
under a pair of smooth shoulder
blades. Easy to look at :. and little
left to the Imagination. Graceful
limbs and pretty skin. Tanned just