The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-11-08
y 7 LII ...: ::.: ; (: ::::: l..
4 cosrisAs, 1907. NEA Ssoie.. los

low chair near the fire. Say
it really feels grand after that
blizzard out there
Stiffness slid from Alan in a
swift surge of sympathy. These
girls who battlcd for living had
rough time of it. No doubt of
that.
"May l fix you something hot? ?"
he asked.
Her lips parted in a wide, anus
ed smile. - don't mind. I'd like
a cocktail, if you have the max
ingS about"
Alan had. He went back TO his
small kitchen, which was nothing
more than an efficiency arrange
ment in an alcove. and mixed two
drinks.
This will fix me up" Ardath
said. slipping her drink. Her eyes
were searching his.
In her lap was a sheet of news
paper, closely folded. After
moment. she unfolded it and
handed it TO him.
Alan took the paper. Jill's face
smiled at him.
Did you come here just to
show me that" he asked roughly,
pain in his voice.
mo. | came earlier and the
place was dark. Then | went TO
a show. When ] came out the
newsbOys were crying out some
thing about her party, and an
nouncing her engagement. got
a paper and brought it along
I'D rather not talk about her.
Alan said in a dull tone.
$50 you'd rather not talk about
her! With me, you mean
Ardath'S gray eyes were blaz-
ing. Fury had painted bright
banners in her cheeks. Her lips
had parted to reveal flash of
white teeth.
Alan was staring at her strange
IL. If he could only transform
Ardath with a brush. Paint her
with q softness and gentleness she
had never revealed. And, para
paint Jill with a cruel
deception showing in her smiling
eyes.
Look here. It's ridiculous to
quarrel. I've better idea
Instantly. anger disappeared.
A,.Jo,b sp,ilnd "Haye you2 What
is it,"
"Wiu YOU pose for me-"
She laughed. $50, that's what
YOU meant. OF course | will. How
do you want me? Without All or
All together"
"AIl together, if you mean fully
Alan replied coldly,
She was brazen, but she was
also beautiful and paintable. An
artist couldn't afford to be
,oueamish or too conventional.
After all, he had painted nudes
in the claSSroOmS with profess
,ional casualness and indiffer-
ance. But at the light words of
this girl. he had felt the blood
rush to his face in revolt against
her boldneSS.
Ardath followed him into the
back room, where he arranged his
Easel and tubes with profession
ii precision.
Funny 70 see man painting /
IN evening Clothes" Ardath said,
A malicious note was
in her voice. Maybe you had !
TO go TO the Wentworths
and then changed your mind. It's !
not to late even now. Don't let
me interrupt any plans
"Will you please sit in that
,arved chair, turn slightly toward
me. Now look at me, and don't
ak" Alan's tone was like ice.
Ardath sat down, settled back
gracefully and turned slightly,
ner strange eyes slanting to meet
Alan'S gaze. -,
She wouldn't talk. She would
.ook at him.
Quite dispassionately, Alan
wound about Ardath's shoulders a
splendid scarf if ivory silk, shot
through with shining silver
threads, which completely cover
ed the cheap green blouse she
wore.
Ardath resented his cool COM
posture, his casual touch. If only
he were not so handsome, she
could match his indifference with
her own.
But there was something that
pushed her aside: his strange alb
,orption. his strained. white face.
She could have screamed out
lngrily: you touch me rs though
were a figure in a glass case. .
I'm human"
When Ardath's glowing eyes
met his. Alan thought: That's
he look! The femme fatale look.
The devastating fire that burns
men who come too near"
II was going to be difficult to
change that sultry glow into a
sanity CLEAN.
Ito be continued)
MAN GETS PRIZE DEER