The Washington times., 1936-08-14

and had been amazed to hear
from Shines that Lorraine had
gone.
"She tried to reach you at the
hotel, but they didn't tell her that
you'd checked out. She left a
message. heard her leave 1t"
Luana assured him, feeling awk'
ward.
Over the kidneys and bacon and
coffee, she told him Of her new
offer.
my dear Luana, hasn't 1t oc.
Cured to you that if you are
worth 5000 a week to others, you
may be worth five times that
amount-to yourself"
IT don't understand" she STAN
mered.
It don't know much about the
clothes business, but do know
that you have great talent, and
a following of clients, and it's a
pity to tie yourself up with other
people on what is a comparatively
small salary. and will doubtless in
volve a great deal of work on your
part"
He couldn't mean e? She drew
a deep. excited breath.
II have such faith in your abil-
ity, Luana, that would be willing
to finance you in your own estab-
hshment."
"You mean 1t. Mr.. Vandaveer?
You really mean it?" She was as
impulsive and as excited as q
child.
Certainly I mean it. I think
there's great leaning at the mo-
ment towards American fashions.
Apart from everything else, with
the depreciation of the dollar, peo-
pie simply can't afford to buy
abroad. Imported clothes are ex-
penSive. The women who used to
go to Paris to buy their clothes
can do so no longer. Therefore
there's no reason why you
shouldn't make real success"
The big water front strike was
on in San Francisco. Luana had a
letter from her Stepfather, telling
her that the National Guard had
been summoned from Los Angeles,
and that he had gone with them
to patrol the strike area.
He'll love it. He's a born
fighter" Luana felt a wave of
pride in the pluck Of the old
Colonel.
Later, her pride was to turn to
keen anxiety.
A telegram from the Colonel's
lawyer in San Francisco informed
her that he was lying unconscious
in the Military Hospital there. He
had sustained a head injury from
a brick hurled by one of the strik-
ers. There was some fear of a
skull fracture.
Mr.. Vandaveer urged her to go
at once. He bought a ticket for
her on the fastest transcontinen-
tai plane service.
The X-ray examination proved
to be much more satisfactory than
was anticipated. Still not out of
danger, there was hope OF his re-
covery.
Luana had friends in the many
hilled city, notably Nancy and JAS
per Payne. This was The young
couple who had eloped to Yuma.
Arizona, and who, in a double
ceremony that included Luana
(under her real name of Elizabeth
HARMONY and Gerald Bruton, had
been united in wedlock by the
marrying judge Of Yuma"
One night when Luana was a
little late in coming from the hos
pital, Nancy and Jasper and din
ner awaited her. The young cou-
pie whiled away the time by turn
ing on the radio to hear the 7
o'clock news.
"The Berkeley reported speak
ing. giving highlights of today's
news from the press radio bureau
of the go" They listened.
Another break from the State
prison has been successfully per-
petrated early this morning but.
through the vigilance of the
guards, an even greater break has
been prevented. Only two felons
} made their getaway, by saving
, the bars of their cell. Prison au-
thorities are puzzled at the slick
escape of the polished defrauder
of thousands of innocent Califor,
nian investors. Gerald Bruton has
again lived up to his name of Slip.
perry He and his cell-mate made
their getaway just before day
break"
Luana walked in. A smiling
Luana. full of apologies for hav,
ing stayed late at the hospital.
We're going to drive down to
the cottage at San Gregorio to-
night" sang Nancy.
(TO be COntinued)
copyright. 1895. by King Features