The Washington times., 1936-08-04

time for brooding on the past.
Which was fortunate.
But Youth clamored in the
Springtime. Against her own Voli-
tion, Luana knew she was falling
in love. -.
Did he love her in return?
He gave no sign.
Wasn't it likely that he had a
girl down South where he came
from? That he might even be pri-
vately engaged to her, for all she
knew about him?
Or was beautiful Mrs. Joel Van
daveer beginning to fill his
horizon, with her alluring knowl-
edge of the world-her Sophisti-
Gated seductiveneSS?
AS she stepped out of the shop
that evening and across the sids
walk of Fifth Avenue to Hand
some" and his waiting car, the
misery was still upon her, though
she did not show it.
Handsome" Sprang forward.
His white teeth cleaned in his
sunburned face. Everything about
him shone, from his snowy shirt
front with the cleaning pearl in
the center, to his hair that looked
like polished lacquer and the
glossy shine of his tall silk hat.
I'm in luck, Beautiful. Now,
whittier away?"
Ito the Spearhead Inn, please.
It's the spring opening or some
thing It'll be nice and cool there,
anyway"
He tucked Luana into his long,
low-slung machine as though she
were bit of Dresden china, and
might break. He was a past master
at attentions" He tucked her sill
yer brocaded wrap about her Shoul-
derS, drew fur robe to her knees,
and set upon them a big white
cardboard box from the florists.
What are they, 'Handsome'?"
"OrchidS. Almost as luscious
looking as the girl that's going to
wear them"
She said, smiling her thanks:
my gowns orchid"
I'm a magician" grinned
Handsome" II chose right"
He pressed the starter of the car,
let in the clutch, and they shot up
the Avenue to Central Park.
The lights of the great sky
scrapers blinked starrily at them
as they sped through the trees.
The soft airs of spring famed her
cheeks and blew back a feathery
little curl or two. Handsome"
fitted his big back lower in the
seat so that his shoulder came
close against Luana'S as he drove.
"A night for love, Luana. You,
and the moon, and the night"
How unoriginal, 'Handsome'!"
They couldn't get around her
now, these men with their blarney
and shallow compliments!
They sped across the Park to
West 72nd Street, and over to the
Hudson River. Cars were stream.
ing up the Drive. To the left Of
them, ships rode at anchor, fasci.
mating in the dusk, and lights
cleaned across the water from the
Palisades on the Jersey side.
A feeling of ease and luxury
crept over the girl at "Handsome's"
side.
He didn't have to think of
money. He exuded money. How
pleasant it must be to be able to
buy almost anything one fancied;
This long, low-slung car with its
chromium fittings and silver gad-
gets was symbolic of the man.
She stole quick side look at
him.
He had been we'll nicknamed
Handsome" though to her mind
his face was not nearly so attrac'
tive as Jimmy Randolph's.
Where Jimmy was clean-cut,
there was a certain hint Of puff
ness in Handsome's good looks.
He was groomed to the last degree,
it's true, but already there was
slight sagging under the chin that
was too full, and signs Of diSsipa.
tion around his sleepy black eyes.
To some girls, this evidence of
too gay life might have been at
tractive but, after her experience
with Gerald Bruton, it put Luana
on her guard.
Beware the fleshpots of Egypt"
she said to herself, half humorous
ly, half serious.
But there was no reason why
she shouldn't tonight luxuriate in
"Handsome's" car, and orchids,
and the good time he was willing
and anxious to supply.
Ito be COntinued)
copyright. 1888. by King Features