The Washington times., 1936-12-30

"Is that Anna" hiccuped male
voice. "Sure, Bernice's here. She's
tight to the gills, my darling!
Come on right over and join the
party!" Click! The communica-
tion was cut off.
Should she telephone again?
Try to locate Freddie?
She did so, but with no results.
The noise was apparently so loud
inside 1.-The Laughing Pig" that
the ring Of the telephone was
drowned.
CHAPTER XIX
Ann padded softly back to her
room and got into some clothes.
She would go and get Bernice
and bring her home. If her sister
were in the condition indicated by
the message, on her return, solo, or
even accompanied by Freddie.
might arouse the household. On
the other hand, if she were really
drunk, anything might happen 10
her, for Freddie, tight himself, was
no protection. Quite the reverse.
Very quietly Ann let herself out
of the front door.
She walked half block west to
Lexington Avenue, and hailed a
passing taXicab.
The so-called smart cocktail rem
devious was not nearly so crowded
as she had imagined.
In one corner, however, five
couples of her acquaintance were
gathered about table which they
had just commandered for a very
late snack.
"Bernice? You were to meet her
here? But she was here-she may
have gone to the ladies' cloakroom
she was pretty we'll lit" said one
of the girls in an unconcerned
voice.
But Bernice was nowhere to be
found. Ann felt relieved. Her
sister had gone home.
But return to the apartment
heightened her worry, for Bernice
was not there!
Back to the cocktail rendezvous
went Ann.
Her departure had not been no
ticed. She joined the party of
10 at their table. Hilarious now,
they were arguing over their next
move.
Let's all dash up to Freddie's."
A very pretty widow made the sug-
gestion.
Swell ideal"
"Okay with mel" from another.
"Freddie's drinks are T. N. T."
"Dynamite!'
Come on. Let's be on our way"
A premonition in her heart, Ann
went with them. What would she
find there?
No use to head them off, this
crowd. Under the influence of in
Vulnerable cocktails, they exhibited
the invariable symptoms of sin
gle track mind. =.
The widow who had started the
idea-rich and spoiled and preda-
tory-had yen for Freddie, and
was jealous of Bernice. Possibly,
in her overstimulated mind, she
had the suspicion that the latter
was with Freddie in his apartment.
and that it would be getting
even" to expose her, ruin her rep
utation! For certainly, thought
Ann. terrified. it would be ruined
were this gang to find her in a
bachelors apartment at o'clock
In the morning alone with him!
They piled into two waiting cars.
A plan formed in AIMS mind as
they whirled south to Gramercy
Park, where Freddie lived. There
was almost nothing she wouldn't
stick at, to save her sister.
The quiet old square gloWed with
Christmas trees strung with col.
ored lights. So peaceful, so remote
from New York's hurly-burly, it al.
most seemed like desecration to go
hooting and honking round the
garden that was slumbering on
this night dedicated to family re-
union. christmas night!
1t was a walk-up apartment.
Someone pressed the button below
the soiled card on which was
printed: Mr.. Brandon"
No reply.
PRAY heaven they aren't here, :"
wished Ann.
The widow insisted they all walk
up the five flights-"because even
If Freddie isn't in a drunken slum.
ber, it'll be so darned good for
ones figure!" she shrieked.
Ann tried to overtake her in her
mad rush upstairs. The stairs were
narrow. 1t was impossible to get
ahead Of her.
Freddies front door was ajar.
The apartment was in the Cali
fornia manner-kitchen, bath
room, one big room that was bed
room by night. living room by
day.
The bed was out of its cupboard,