The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-08-07

between them, except for his
rather quaint interest in this girl
of the night-club world.
SHE'D TRACE HER
Not that that meant anything,
even if she was French marquise,
of which Miss Brewster was not at
all assured. But determined to
find out. She'd trace her. Al
ready she had set wheels moving.
AS she stood at the head Of the
stairs in her smart town house on
Park Avenue awaiting her guests,
Miss Brewster made a handsome,
though rather square-set figure in
her dress of American Beauty
velvet.
American Beauty roses, sent by
Guy Halstead-Flagg, rose in glory
from a great vase on the landing
behind her. A vivid contrast to
her inky hair, her olive skin, her
champagne-colored eyes, they
filled the air with rich fragrance.
Dear Guy! At times so sweet,
so easy to get along with. And
again quite heartless, thought she,
and cruel, even!
But she understood those moods.
Something in herself rose to them,
enjoyed a combat. Something
hard, unyielding. ruthless.
Together, they could achieve all.
It was disappointing that,
though she had particularly asked
Guy to come early. he had not yet
put in an appearance, and 1t was
five-thirty.
Not a great number Of people
had arrived. For at New York
cocktail parties the fashionable
come late, and linger far beyond
the limit Of invitation.
Presently, she knew, the butler
would have a hard time coping
with the entrees.
So charming had Guy been here
beside her, receiving, at the head
Of the stairs!
GRAND COPY
That would have made grand
copy for the newspaper columniSts.
They'd have been as good as en-
gagged by tomorrow. How the town
would gossip!
He had circumvented that. But,
understanding him well-or think"
ing that she did-she was not par
ticularly annoyed. She had no use
for easy capture.
More people arrived.
There was a bar on each Of the
two principal floors.
How delightfully."- ill-bred, thought
she, were so many Of her friends,
heading straight for the lower bar,
when they knew perfectly well that
it was her custom to greet them at
the head Of the stairs. She under
stood their greed to get a couple OF
stiff ones" downed before even
bothering to greet their hostess, for
she would have done the same
thing as a guest. When it came to
her own comfort, her desires, she
was a past mistress at rudeneSS!
Practically all of them were.
But not the pretty, rather shy
marquise.
With inimitable grace she was
coming up the wide Stairs. Behind
her was a young nan. The night
before, at the CLUB, she had diff
IDENTIFY asked permission to bring
him to the party.
In view of her own interest in
Guy Halstead- Flagg, Harriet Brew
ster had accepted.
A nice titbit to tell Guy!
How agreeable to say to him, cas-
ualy: The little singing girl Of
LIE Chateau de Ia MarquiSe has
brought her best beau to the party.
Probably another French emigre
in disguise! Who knowS?"
That would serve two purposes.
The hint Of something phony, and
the idea Of the girl having a sweet
heart.
Miss Brewster was shrewd.
MY dear, I'm delighted to see
you. And your charming friend!"
Toni made the introduction. She
hated bringing Brock Milbank to
this party. Hated the thought of
him meeting Miss Brewster, Guy
Halstead-Flagg and others who had
been nice to her and encouraged
her at the club.
But Brock had insisted. In fact,
had demanded that she bring him
to this party. If she antagonized
Brock in his present desperate
mood, who knew what might hap
pen?
ITO Be Continued
Copyright. 1891. by Kins Features
Syndicate, IAa)