The Washington times., 1936-07-21

They entered the building
where the Vandaveers lived. and
shot up in the elevator to the
penthouse.
There was a mirror in the ele-
vator. Luana took a quick sur
vey of herself.
The Eugene hat framed a
face, that glowed pinkly in this
light, of delicate feature and eX-
quisite contour.
The blue of her eyes was deep
ened by the color of her hat and
gown, and perhaps by an emo
tion-half awakened, yet stirring
so gently in her heart that al
most she was unaware Of it as
yet-for the young man at her
side. He smiled frankly at her
in the mirror.
But he paid no compliment.
That was not his way. She had
been glad of it at first, but now
she wished he would whisper to
her that she looked lovely.
Not from any vain thought in
her heart, but from woman's
wish to please where she is at
tracted.
Anyone seeing them together
would have said they made a
handsome pair, these two. Young
Randolph, tall and slim in his
suit of well-cut navy serge, his
bronze hair brushed back from
his fine forehead.
When they had dined and
danced in modest places within
his means, it had been borne in
on Luana that girls and women
often looked at him admiringly,
and at her half enviously.
She asked herself now: will
the smart crowd here realize how
awfully good-looking he is?" She
felt proud of Jimmy.
Strains of Hawaiian music
greeted their ears as the butler
opened the door to them. A
stringed orchestra was playing IN
a conservatory which opened Oh
a music room that had been
cleared for dancing. It's parquet
floor had been polished and al
ready goodly number OF couples
were dancing.
There was tea in the beautiful
French drawing room. but when
they arrived that room was prac-
tically empty.
IaI f1AnEod RI tho hor nj
the Vandaveer home, WHICH was a
room in itself, done in Old Eng
lish style, with a high counter
that ran almost the whole length
of one side, and a brass foot-rail
to it.
Tables with red checkered
cloths were scattered here and
there, and already each one was
taken.
There was the continual pop
ping of corks as fresh bottles OF
champagne were opened. The
clatter of ice in metal containers,
violently shaken in the process OF
mixing the cocktails. The babel
of tongues, too, mingling with the
music of the ukulele and the steel
guitar.
Joel Vandaveer had come up
town earlier than his wont, at
his wife's request. She thought 1t
would look well to have her huS'
band present at the gathering
from it's beginning, in view OF the
fact that there had been gossip
lately about herself and Ramon.
CHAPTER XVI
Mr.. Vandaveer was in the lobby
of the penthouse as Luana and
her escort came in. He greeted
her kindly. She presented Jimmy.
II expect you'll want to come
to the bar and join the other
young people," said Mr.. Wanda
veer. He led the way to the bar
and introduced them to several
people.
He disappeared to get a cham
payne cocktail for Luana, Jimmy
having been instantly seized upon
by a pretty debutante who seemed
attracted by his good looks.
where have you been hiding
all the past season?" she chirped
up at him, getting as close to him
as was possible, under the pretext
of the crowded room. with the
dearth of good-looking boys in the
stag-line all this past winter, it's
been simply devastating for us
debs! I can only surmise you're
one of the worlds workers."
II hope I am" Luana heard
Jimmy answer, with a laugh.
This on-the-make deb" was
pretty and beautifully dressed.
She had an air of absolute ease
that amounted to impudence.
Luana imagined she was no more
than II years of age.
Get me brandy flip, big boy,
will you? And come right back. I
intend tn Snaffle the heSt.lookinp