The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-11-08
CAST OF CHARACTERS

CAST OF CHARAS EkS
JILL WENTWORTH, heroine,
attractive debutante.
NALAN JEFFRY, hero, ring
young artist.
BARRY WENTWORTH. JILL,
stepbrother.
JACK WENTWORTH. Jill,
brother.
SYLVIA SUTTON. oil heiress.
Yesterday: Jilrs engagement to
Milo is announced as Alan enters
the Wentworth home. He leaves
instantly, crushed, hating. A few
hours later an unhappy Jill start
ed out of the house to 60 to
Alan, to tell him everything.
CHAPTER XVII
Alan had left Jill in a mood OF
despair. swept at times by cold
fury and a burning jealousy.
IL was really all over. His love
for Jill had changed 10 hate and
contempt. Tonight, Jill had pre-
tended she still loved him in order
20 bring him 70 her announce
ment party. II had amused her to
have a plodding painter witness
her triumph andprc stige. A love
ly princess surrounded by her
court. And more than that. she
had wanted TO humiliatc him
fearfUlly because he had despised
her favorS.
Before he had left the Went
worth house. he had heard people
talking about Jill and the man
she would marry. Even he, a COM
parative stranger in the city.
knew the name Of the society
playboy.
He let himself into his studio
with shaking fingers. II was still
cozy and warm here. with emberS
from the fire still glowing Yet
unutterably lonely.
He stood for a moment gazing
down DULY at half-finiShed por-
trait on the easel. How cold and :
unappcalng the lady on the can
vas was. despite the lovely line of /
her throat and the graceful curve /.
of her shoulder. A woman of the /.
imagination. What he needed was
reality. He had been a victim of
illusions too long. NiSualizing Jill /
as some sort of lovely, laughing !
saint. And attributing all sorts OF |
deviliSh impulses 10 Ardath.
There was no doubt that a deep |
and dangerous fire glowed in Ar
oath. But she was a saint COM
pared with Jill.
He laughed mirthlcSSly. Some |
day he would paint Ardath in a
new light. And then he would do /
a companion picture Of Jill. as a
sort of Delilah. He would like to
do il now.
On an impulse. he crossed TO
the desk and ran his hand into
one Of the pigeon-holes. He star
ed down at the card and the tele-
phone number Ardath would /
come if he called her. Tonight
she could lift him 20 feverish
heights as an artist. even though
she left him cold as a man. He
would have 20 love woman 20 be
stirred by her. And he would
never love any woman again.
He put the card back, YEARLY. !
IL was Notwithstanding the
disorder in his mind-to believe
Ardath could help him now. That
had been only another illusion.
He grOaned.
The doorbell shattered his UNI
happy thoughts.
Alan went into the front room
and opened the door. Any icy
draft of air, accompanied by a
furry of snow greeted him.
a girl stood there, muffled
against the weather. Her turban
was spattercd by snow. The fur
collar Of her coat was turned up
close about her face.
For a moment, his heart stood
still.
You're letting me freeze"
came a low. throaty voice. Cant
'ou make up your mind to invite
ne in ,"
Alan swung the door wide. The
light fell on Ardath Holm. II was
Almost as though she had mat
,rialized from his thoughts. He
smiled a little, thinking how use
ess his decision had been. Here
she was.
Surprised to see me, aren't
you?"
Alan sut the door. Yes" he
Ardath took off her small,
nSowpowdered hat an dtoSSed it
on a chair.
please help me with my
coat" She moved close 70 him
and Alan slipped the coat from
her shoulders.
What an amazing creature she
was. Coming to a mans apart
mcnt at this hour of night, and
evidently expecting to remain
awhile.
IL like this, "Ardath sank into
a