Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1937-03-19
"RlACK oRCuvDe"1y M HHXS 81

take their pleasures sadly. Paris has
lost her old charm to become COM
mercial and business center, enfin
hopelessly bourgeois; Berlin always
was cold, brutal and dismal but Bud
apest-"
Ian's heart lifted little as slow
smile parted the lips that resembled
scarlet ribbons laid across a white
marble table. Her eyes were very di-
rect and somehow appealing.
On reaching sudden determination
he said quite clumsily, Don't you
think it's warm in here. Would you
care to go out into the garden?"
"Is it not still little chilly?"
"Then does the conservatory ap-
peal? 1t seems pleasant spot"
He felt her eyes flicker quite sud-
denly to his, but was satisfied that
he had made the suggestion in an en-
tirely natural way.
every WE'LL" she smiled making
skillful play with the fan she had
substituted for her evening bag. Il
should like it. 1t does look very rest
full out there. Why do people have to
talk so much?"
Bowling, he offered her his arm and
like a bronzed centurion in evening
clothes led the way among couples who
stood or sat about, waiting more or
less restlessly until the dining room
should be cleared and the musicians
should appear. He guided her to a
bower which was sufficiently screen
ed to afford privacy, yet which was
not so hidden as to afford ground
for comment.
81 think your friend Leonard Holt
is very charming" he remarked as she
sank little YEARLY into a huge Chin
csc garden chair. How small she
looked in it. Leonard is so thought
full, so generous, so devoted. But
what is it, Monsieur" Over her face
swept an expression of faint astonish-
ment for Ian, his ruddy features set,
was bending towards her.
"Mademoiselle," he began firmly
"as Leonard may have told you, we
are very old and very good friends"
"But yes" The shapely blonde head
inclined several times and the tapering
fingers toyed absently with the white
ostrich fan. "Men are fortunate that
wayne women seem incapable of
such lasting friendship. A chance re-
mark, stolen smile and -pouf!-all
is over, and the claws are out"
He ignored her obvious invitation to
generalize to say, 81 only mention this
in order to make my position clear"
The perfect arches of her eyebrows
rose perceptible half inch.
"And Why" she demanded in appar
emily frank curiosity, "should you have
to justify your position to me, whom
you have just metz"
Because" He faltered-dear heav
ems, how distractingly lovely she was!
Because" Cursing himself, he fun
oled to recover his train of thought,
because Leonard is doing very fool
sh thing"
Beneath the expensive simplicity of
1er Lauvin ball gown, the girls 1.-the
body seemed to contract little. Her
eyes became very direct.
Foolish? l do not understand. Is
ne foolish because he has fallen in
owe with me-"
"No, no! No man would be foolish
20 do that" he blurted out and then
cursed the banality of the remark.
eff you don't mean that" said she
calmly, "then Pm not sure that am
to hear. Shall we" She
made a distinct motion to rise, but
[an's broad brown hand shot out in
a gesture at once pleading and COM
"No, no. Do you really care for
Leonardo"
The resentment which shone in her
features dsmayed him. She said Jelly.
II fail to see that it is any affair of
yours, Monsieur. And now if you will
"No," he said sharply. "It is an
affair of mine. 1 don't know wether
you know it or not, but Leonard is
engaged to one of the sweetest girls
it has geen my good fortune to meet