The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-21
CHAPTER TWO


A LOOK of surprise widened
= n Calls amber eyes as she
turned to the young man. Why,
yes" she said, Il was in Mr.. Larne's
office"
His blue eyes were twinkling.
you got the dope all right that
time, though these lovely ladies
make grand watchdogs for the guys
higher up. Larne is out of town"
Gail smiled. you know Mr..
Larne?" she questioned.
"Oh, yes. hes a grand chap, but
his partner-well, you'd think
Held's purpose in life was to nip
genius in the bud. He hates
Larne's generosity and his interest
in artists. Thinks encouraging fell
lows like nlc--and maybe YOU"
Che glanced toward the big brown
envelope Gail was carrying) lis
waste of money. Held will never
help you, but, if you don't think I'm
butting in. maybe I can do some
thing. I guess if you wanted to see
John S. Larne 1t was about some
art work. I'm Derek Hargreaves.
I'm painting some portraits for
him."
"THAT'S ever so kind of you to
offer, but I don't believe
there's anything you can do" Gail
answered. After all, this man was
a stranger, and Miss Cranston had
advised her to beware of strangers,
especially in city like New York.
well, if that's how you feel, all
right" Derek pulled his hat on at
its accustomed rakish angle. His
eyes twinkled. Il thought perhaps
you were a stranger and a word
from some one who knows the ropes
might save you Time and tears!"
For a moment Gail raised her
eyes to Derek's. He was so tall.
Six feet two in his sox, he would
have told you! We'll, if you're
sure it won't be too much bother.
guess you can help me-"
That's the girl! 1 know a little
place Just around the corner. Let's
go there and talk things over. 1t
won't be busy yet. We're early.
Later you almost have to fight for
a tablet"
WALKING along the short
w block, Gail told her COM
panion about the prize she had won
and her hopes to become designer
Congratulations" he cried.
"Larne's a mighty good Judge. Even
though he generally has a jury of
three of four fashion authorities
editors of swanky magazines-he al
ways has the final say-so, and he's
never picked failure yet. So there
l guess I'm talking to famous de-
signer! Well, here we are"
Walking down two steps they en-
tered the basement of brownstone
house. With a gay nod to the wait
resS, who was dressed as a shep-
herdess, Derek led the way to a cor
ner table. Now" he said, handing
Gail the menu, what do you want?"
"Oh, I'm really not hungry" she
answered. why, it's only couple
of hours since had breakfast"
Il Il
II HAVEN'T eaten yet, so you
Il might as we'll have something
and keep me company. Besides. /
think you're going to have busy
afternoon. They have delicious
Cornish pasties here. Let me order
one for you"
"All right then" Gail answered.
She did not wish to argue. Be-
sides, while she liked the clean-cut
look of the young man across the
table from her and the way his dark
rebellious hair dipped over his fore
head, she realized from the &C.
termined line of his chin that
doubtless he would have his own
way.
Now, while she's getting our
order" said Derek, as the waitress
headed toward the kitchen. lets
talk things over. I suppose the first
thing you want is a job, Unless
you're pretty we'll fixed, have some
backing or lots of pull, it's heart
breaking game to start in design
ing. especially when you have no
practical eXperience-or almost
none" he corrected himself as he