Evening star., 1937-07-11
.UnDERSTUDY,
"You cannot keep nice man dangling" 'hat
was what both Lefty and her boss discovered,
each in different way
by OSCAR GRAEvE

hapgard was tllat Sfle was Hlteeu too ouny. oilC
worked too hard In the morning she'd look
quite nice and fresh with her delicate milk
white complexion and her pale datfodil hair.
But by nightfall she'd look wreck, her face
gray with fatigue her hair tousled. And she
was always dashing here and there, not in New
York only, but on trips out OF town. 10 90
new oil millionaire's new mansion in Oklahoma
or someone's summer camp in Maine. That, too,
was hard on Miles Pendexter. Hes just at the
age where he longs for companionship, Lefty,
who was twenty one, decided. II know just how
he feels"
She had sense enough, however, not to con-
fess her feelings to anyone and certainly not to
Mr.. Pendexter, although her feelings may have
shown y oh, ever so slightly! - whenever she
looked at MIR. Pendexter those times he came
into the office calling for Miss Gray to take her
out to luncheon or to dinner. He was broker.
Miss Gray had told her. but he seemed to have
plenty of time to do whatever he pleased. May
be brokers did. Lefty didn't know.
He called Lefty Sparrow. "Hlo Sparrow
he'd say, looking very smart and quite young
in his mahogany brown suit, polished boots and
chamois gloves. "Where's Miss Gray?"
"She said to tell you she'd be back any
minute, Mr. Pendexter She had to 60 over to
Fifth about some draperies.
Il bet you wouldn't keep your young man
waiting, Sparrow. Not every time, the way
Marta does me-"
Il might if had young man." said Lefty
demurely and bushed For with slight pang,
she thought of Bob Lancaster.
So that's the way it went and that's the way
it might have gone on indefinitely if Marta
Gray had not received telegram from Texas.
For the evening of the day she received the tele-
gram she had an engagement to have dinner
with Miles Pendexter and 60 to the theater
with him. 1t was rather a special occasion
because he'd obtained very good seats for the
newest musical hit, and very good seats for that
we're difficult to obtain.
Miss Gray opened the telegram and ran her
fingers through her daffodil hair, which was
already little disheveled. ut says to come at
once" she exclaimed. Lefty. you'll have to
look after things. III have to go home and
pack"
But you're having dinner with Mr. Pen
dexter tonight" Lefty reminded her.
Il can't help that" Marta Gray said i'm
patiently This is tremendously important
order 1t means doing whole chateau - &C
tually! A real French chateau, even if it is in
Texas"
81 don't think Mr.. Pendexter will like it,
said Lefty. with effrontery. "You know he got
tickets for -"
Il know it! know it!'' Marta cried. "If it
were anything else but this, Lefty. This order
will give US the biggest spring season we've
ever had" She was silent moment and then
she bubbled with sudden laughter. Il know.
You 60 with Miles tonight"
"Me!"
"Yes you! You be my understudy Be at my
apartment tonight when he calls was going
home first to dress And you can wear any of
my clothes you want, you quaint child, even
my ermine wrap. We're about the same size.
And how surprised Miles will be-"
"He will be surprised said Lefty. Sur
prised and furious"
Well, thought Lefty later, it wasn't as if she
hadn't warned her.
Lefty, however, wore her own silly little
evening frock of green lace that she'd brought
with her from Somerset but as she waited In
Miss Gray's apartment for Miles Pendexter,
she decided she would wear Martas ermlne
wrap She couldn't look like too much of a
frump even as a substitute companion for