Henderson daily dispatch., 1937-06-29
CHAPTER 81

Joined Marcia ana GdrreII.
Trying to work up an appetite
for dinner?" she leased. Il might
warn you, you'd better save all
that jaw energy for the steak to-
night. It's liable to be cough"
Garrett had jumped to his feet.
and jokingly he put his forefinger
against the well padded ribs of
his hostess.
Surrender! I've discovered
your deep laid plot, you she-devil,"
and he qrodded her gently.
"Stop, you tickle" she fidgeted.
And her innocence seemed too OBJ
vious as she replied, whatever do
you mean?"
Even Marcia could not restrain
q laugh at the ludicrous picture
Iona made. Suddenly, the woman
dropped her pose and joined heart
lily in the laughter. 'Well," she
admitted, 81 suppose I should be
glad Garrett has such an eye for
intrigue-and, er, beauty! At
least it saves me from bringing
up the matter myself"
Bringing what up?" Marcia
said.
"Why, it's as simple as day and
night" Iona objected. Garrett
can give you a chance to try a
new kind of drawing: Illustrating
for books and covers and things"
She saw Marcia protesting at her
bold suggestion, and FASTENED to
say, Nov, don't be so squeamish,
my dear. It wouldn't be an act OF
charity. Garrett won't lose any
thing if he just takes a look at
your work, and tries you out on a
simple job. Will you, Garrett 2"
The man was anxious to put
Marcia at ease, and lost no time
in assuring both women that he
would be glad to give any prom
Using newcomer a chance. Were
a young organization, and were
glad to encourage young talent.
Of course I can't promise you any
thing will come of it, Marcia, but
I'll be glad to give you fling at
it."
Tears came to Marcia's eyes as
she saw a new opportunity open
ing for her. So this was Lona's
surprise. She was indeed a
thoughtful woman, and Marcia
soon came to know that she took
intense pride in the success of
others of her sex. Thoroughly
established in her own profitable
business, she always could find
time to lend a helping hand to
someone who found the going
difficult, especially a woman. Mar
cia's predicament had worried
her, and she disliked to see girl Of
Marcia's gallantry defeated by I'M
fair tactics. If the truth were
told, Iona also wanted to take an
indirect slap at the dashing Walt
Hartley.
It wasn't often that a man
withstood her charms, and Iona
had been genuinely chagrined
when Walt had refused to pay
homage on several occasions when
she had shown an interest in him.
"I'll show that money grabbing ad
writer that he made a big mistake
when he forced Marcia out Of the
Acme organization, and then threw
mud pies at her." she told herself.
So it was with satisfaction that
she watched Marcia and Garrett,
already engaged in a discussion of
books and drawings and "arty
things, as Iona would call them.
She found it difficult to appreciate
the artistic temperament in some
ways. Being such a hard-headed
business person herself, it seemed
inconceivable that men and wom-
en- could build business out of
ideas. All, well-every man to his
own choice; and with a shrug Iona
went back to join the larger group
on the porch.
Its getting chilly" she COM
planned, and two men rushed for
her cloak. Gratefully Iona &C
knowledged the kind of attentions
she liked, and few moments later
she called her guests to dinner.
After the lavish meal, everyone
filed into the informal library.
One wall was lined with books
which Iona had never read, and
wide windows overlooked the sea
on the other side. The view of the
ocean to the west was inspiring,
its deep midnight coloring and it's
low rumble contrasting strangely
with the bright frivolity inside
that room. Relentlessly pounding
the shore, it seemed to threaten
the merrymakers. It's cross cur
rents were typical of Marcia's own
life, and Sandy's, Marcia thought
as she studied it bitterly.
Card tables were erected in one
corner, and the rug pulled back
for dancing at the opposite end of
the room.
is 1t always like this?" Marcia
almost shouted ABOVE the din.