The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-04-29

abundance of fur, and today it
had been brushed within an inch
of its life. r1'JI'.i O.
As far as grooming went, she
felt confident. There was no
carelesSnesS to warrant criticism.
Her train arrived in Green Hills
at $3.50. Sybil had suggested 5
o'clock, so she was not very late.
She started to walk from the sta
ton, then suddenly catering to
SYPHILIS sophistication, she decided
on a taxi.
Her decision proved a wise one,
because Sybil herself was well
coming guests at the door when
she drew up.
Joan, my dearw she greeted
effuSively. ITS so nice to see
you. Do run upstairs, will you!
My maid will take your wraps. l
shall be waiting here for you
Jennings is mixing cocktails, and
| must watch the door On,
Marjorie! Gloria! I'm so glad you
DOtn cOulu come
Joan's feet sank into the deep
pile of the carpeting as she walk
ed up the stairs. At the landing,
a pert little maid met her and
ushered her into a boudoir ut the
left-a seritable stage setting OF
rose and silver. This must be
SYPHILIS room, she thought, and she
caught her breath ut the sheer
luxury of it. In her simple black
office dress she felt a fitting
companion to the maid, and her
hands trembled as she reached in
to her bag for a handkerchief.
Two other young women were
freshening their makeup at a
vanity table, and they graciously
made a place for her, and IN
cluded her in their irrelevant
chatter about the weather. Even
tually she went downstairs with
them. Sybil met them. She took
Joan's arm and drew her for
ward.
"This is Bob's fancee, Joan
Barrett" she introduced. "Joan,
let me present BesS Ravens and
Lois Stevens though you I'VE
probably introduced yourselves
upstairs :. Come, Joan, my dear,
the others are all SO eager to
know you, too"
She speaks, Joan thought, like
a person in a play, so charmlngly
precise, as if she had rehearSed
every word carefully but her
eyes remain cold and remote as
if she weren't there at al"
Sybil led her into the blue and
ivory living room, and Joan felt
q dozen pairs of eyes focused up
on her, and 10 times a dozen pairs
reflected from as many mirrors.
Mechanically she acknowledged
SYPHILIS introductions, praying that
she would not be forced TO shake
hands and betray, by the icy
moisture of her own, the inner
discomfort which she felt.
These women were to be her
friends and neighborS, yet of all
the eyes and reflection of eyes
which burned into her, there was
no pair which sparkled warmth
and friendship. They We're all
SYPHILIS eyes, a dozen times over,
cold and remote and unfriendly,
though the lips that matched them
smiled and murmured charming
phrases. The friendly, fleshy
matrons whom Bob had presented
were not to be found in this
group.
Here were the critics, waiting
to tear her apart. Here were the
social dictators, soothing her with
subtle smiles and velvety speech
eS as their eyes watched with Gag
er Impotence for one slight eX-
cuse to cast her from their circle.
Sybil led her to the divan,
where she might enjoy the CEN
ter of the stage.
"We're all so very, very fond
of Bob" she explained engaging
ly, "that we feel we must know
you thoroughly"
Joan knew that the words Sybil
was thinking were: "that we want
to know if you are good enough
for him."
81 hope you won't find us too
dull, JOAN" Sybil chatted on;
compared with you, we lead
such empty lives" Then, in eX-
PLANTATION to the others: Joan,
YOU know, is Uncle Johns secre-
tary. He tells me that he couldn't
do thing without her"
If the words were intended for
flattery, the intention was lost.
Rather, Sybil had called attention
to the difference in their posi-
tions, and beneath the sugar coat
ing of her words there was a
vague sting.
The others, quick to seize an
opportunity, followed up her
words in the subsequent small
talk. Did it not require years OF
training for such a position? Or
had she started to work when she
was very young? Not really?
Seventeen? Think of it! Didn't
get to college, then? How unfor-
tunate! A good finishing school,
however not even finishing
school? Oh, dear! Well, it was
Just too, too wonderful what a
young girl could do for herself
these days Of course, If one
was that type.
Jennings entered quietly, car
......n. ~ trnn nf nnnkfAilS. de