The Washington times., 1937-08-28

emeralQS ana Qldu1OuQSJ al ScVCI al
hundred thousand francs. And
they were only clever limitations!
TABLE READY
Toni went through the kitchen
and round to the dining room. The
table was completely laid. A silver
centerpiece held sprays Of feathery
mimosa, like sunshine. Tall red
candles, set in silver candlest1cks,
awaited ner order for lighting.
1t all looked homelike and lovely!
Through the iror gates dividing
this room from the salon, she
heard Brock take his departure.
Thank heaven for that!
Toni went into her room to ap-
ply fresh powder to her flushed
face, and a touch Of lipstick.
The evening, she felt, would
progress from now on.
Nervous as a Schoolbirl with her
first sweetheart, she went out to
the salon.
Guy was standing with his back
to the fire.
She thought: "He's 50 distin-
guished looking!" Brock had
looked immature and silly beside
him.
May I, too, have a cocktail? It
will be my first today. I think ]
deserve one"
"Of course" He sprang forward
and poured one for her. These
are excellent. You must be an ex-
perienced mixer"
Was there shade Of accusation
in the words?
I'm France we do not mix cock
tails. What know, have learned
in America" smiled Toni.
I'm San Francisco?"
Nov, why do you say that?"
Because it was the very last
thing I learned about you. You
can't blame me for being inter-
ested. You lead such a fascinating
life"
AN UNDERCURRENT
Again that undercurrent Of hid.
den meaning.
"A hard life, Mr.. Halstead,
F1agg."
"Oh, come. come. You have a
very good time of it, my dear mar
quise." How formal they had
grown!-thought Toni.
/. She could not resist saying:
'"The sort of time of which you OBJ
Viously disapprove."
why make me such an ogre?
Each Of us is surely entitled to lead
his or her own life!"
THAT being So" she replied
shortly, perhaps we might sit
down on this couch?"
1.-THE couch of gold!" Smiling
appraisingly, his eyes narrowed.
Don't you find it rather beau
tiful?"-as she seated herself,
and, glass in hand, leaned back,
looking up at him. He seemed
miles removed!
"Beautiful-and expensive, La
belle marquise surrounded by
gold!"
why not? It's mine, isn't It?
Have you any objection?" She
was nettled.
1T is not for me to have any
objection, my dear"
you blame me for loving
beauty?" she asked.
II, too, love beauty. But some
times to yield to it is folly. I'm
only a mere man. I try to be
wise"
You mean, discreet?" she inter
preted.
He gave a cryptic smile. His
glance swept the great harp, the
gilded chairs, sofas and mirrors.
"You love gold, don't your"
She understood the implication.
She was furious. Doesn't every
body?"
"Ah! That depends"
Unconsciously her left hand
fingered a gold pendant that
hung from a slim chain around
her neck.
ODD DESIGN
That's handsome. And rather
oddly designed. Would you mind
letting me have a closer look at
it?" He bent over Toni.
A moment or two ago. she would
have welcomed his nearnesS. But
not now. Quickly she removed
pendant and chain.
Look all you want to-" she said
ungraciously, handing them to
him.
The chain dangling, he held the
pendant in his hand.
Unusually heavy for its size.
Might ask you where you got
it?" He peered down at it, turn
ing it over, examining it closely.
you may ask, aSsuredly, but I
do not have to answer" she said
pertly. It was the property Of
NiklaS. He had loaned it to her
for a performance.
Zephrine stuck her head
through the pantry door.
Dinner is ready when madame
is ready" she announced in
French.
IT will ring when wish dinner
to be served" snapped Toni in the
same language.
She rose, went over to the
Spinet, struck a chord.
Ito Be COntinued)
Copyright. 1887. BY King Features
Syndicate. lAS.1