The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-10-29
CHAPTER TX

CHAPTER TX
 Ardath Holm did not analyze her feelings. She had wanted to hurt Jill for some reason. From the mo- ment she met Jill she had realized they were potential enemies.
 Jill, with her beauty enhanced by expensive clothes, represented the type of people Ardath was ac- customed to serving. In her heart she hated all of them, though she catered to their whimS, as she must.
 At Alan's studio, she had read Jill's love for him in her eyes Ardath; too, had been stirred by his charm.
 He had not really seen her dur ing that half hour they were there, Ardath decided. Which was an affront to her vanity. Men were always aware of her the moment she entered room. But Alan had been following Jill with his eyes, had waited for her approval. There might have been only the two of them in the room. AL though he had talked great deal with Patty, Ardath knew that she and Patty might as well have stayed at home. There was a magnetic current between Jill and Alan which no one could inter- rupt.
 But currents could be broken.
 At first Ardath had wanted only to heal her wounded vanity. But after leaving Alan today, some thing fierce and terrible in his eyes, she knew she wanted to see more of him. Must see more of him.
 I'm afraid I must be going now, Miss Holm," he had said. Telling her in polite words to get out and stay out.
 She knew enough about men to know that even hate is a better breeding ground for romance than indifference. And she wouldn't forget that anger would also be turned against Jill soon for hum- bling him. If she were not mis- taken, Alan Jeffry had more than the usual amount of pride.
 %Where have you been so long?" Patty asked, as Ardath came in. Are you going out to dinner with me?"
 Ardath tossed her small felt hat on the sofa, T was busy" she an- Swered, coolly.
 "TWell, hurry. I'm so starved I co,lld eat two dinners"
 Patty surveyed Ardath, trying to read signs of trouble making. She didn't know why, but she had detected misunderstanding procliv- itiHs in Ardath. She was mo- body's angel girl, that was certain. Last night she had got the feeling that Ardath was more than cas- ually interested in Jill and Alan. Though why she should be inter- ested in Alan, who was evidently penniless, was difficult to under stand. Patty had an idea that Ardath wanted money and posi- tion. One or the other, anyway. But of course she might want to see her hat on Alan and his $3,000 for awhile. It was easy to see how any woman could lose her head over him. Look how Jill had toppled. Well, if she ever found Ardath trying to make trouble for Jill, she would wiring that long neck of hers. At any rate she would shove her right out of here.
 Through dinner, the usually talkative Patty was unusually si- lent. Oh, why had she talked about Alan's good luck to Ardath? Tomorrow, she would call Jill and tell her what she had done.
 It was just about this time at the Wentworth home that Mrs. Vent worth was saying to Jill: "There is very rude young man downstairs in the drawing room. He practically broke in, over Perkins protest. When he saw me, he demanded to see you. He looked like an anarchist, or something" Mrs. Wentworth ended vaguely. His hair needed combing, and he didn't have a hat"
 Jill's heart almost stopped beat ing. Alan of course. Very rude! Yes, he could be very rude when he was not pleased. If either Per- kins or mother had put on airs it must be something like that.
 He couldn't possibly have learned about the picture, Jill told herself, frantically powdering her nose. Her eyes looked scared in the mirror, and she made little grimace at her reflection.
 Nothing could have leaked. There were only three people in the world who knew about the purchase. Dad, MT. Felton, the dealer, and herself. The picture was now carefully stored, await