Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-07-09
CHAPTER 40
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JOAN OPENED her eyes tina
morning TO find New York covered
with a dark gray curtain of drizzlna
rain. The kind of rain that seep:
into the spirit dolefully. 'Oh. well
il isn't a May day party" she SAID
philosophically as she splashed IL
her shower.
Rain couldn't dampen her enthu-
siasm and mounting excitement
What If she were only Julian's secre-
tary? Wasn't it something pretty
exciting to work for n man who was
going to make New York sit up and
take notice before another sun rose
Prior 10 going downstairs. she
laid her raincoat and hat. her bag
and gloves aside ready for an
emergency 10 rush to the theatcr.
But there was nothing for her to
do Julian was still asleep and later
he had his late breakfast on a tray.
and rushed to the theater leaving
word for Joan that there was moth
ing for her to DO.
She hadn't seen him all day. Dor
othy and Jim teleph"ned her when
their train arrived at six and begged
her TO hurry to join them.
Joan dressed as carefully as
though she were going to be pre-
scented at court. Her first first
night" To her. the greatest of all
first nights.
Before she snatched her wrap
from its hanger she gave herself a
last admiring glance. The bold print
of her gown set off the dancing
lights in her hair.
Now. there was only one thing to
do and then she would be off.
She must stop one minute and see
Julian. wish him good luck until she
saw him again.
He wasn't in the library, his study
or the drawing room and the dining
room was dark.
Where is Mr.. Sloane?" she asked
Mrs Henderson.
Il don't know. Joan. He telephoned
that he wouldn't be home to dinner.
Heaven only knows what hour he
will come in. He'll be walking the
streets in all this rain until dawn 1
do believe"
did he have his rubbers on?"
Joan asked sharply.
Il don't believe he owns any"
Hell catch his death of cold
walking around in this weather.
You'd think with all the women he
mas to take care Of him one of us
would have thought Of that. Surely
he'll have enough sense not to
walk"
Men don't have very much sense,
Joan. particularly bachelors. 1 mar
ried one good many years ago and
he was as spoiled about having his
own way as Mr.. Julian"
Joan wasn't very much interested
in hearing about the late Mr. Hen
derson at that moment.
IF he telephones here. will you
tell him please to take care of HIM
self? He looks terribly tired to me
and that's the time a cold is a seri
Gus matter"
I'm do that. JOAN" Mrs. Hender-
son looked back 1T the girl and saw
beneath the surface of her radiance
and hoped things that Joan would
never guess.
Joan and Dorothy hadn't seen
each other since Christmas. Dor
othy had to tell her about the new
baby at the Simpsons and about the
meeting Of Joan's bridge clubs, about
a new recipe and what the Hurd.,
had done to their new car. To all
of which Joan listened without hear
ing anything.
Her hands were hot and cold by
turns and she simply couldn't eat her
dinner. They arrived at the theater
almost three-quarters of an hour be-
fore the play was to begin.
Look" she pointed to the blazing
marquee sign.
JULIAN SLOANE PRESENTS
MORTAL ON OLYMPUS"
STARRING SHEILA TRUE
We'll" Dorothy said. "What did |
you expect it to say? Mary Pick
ford in The Poor Little Rich Girr?"
Sorry" Joan answered subdued
II hadn't Snan fba Iiobte L1e