The Washington times., 1938-04-09

Amy fl1cked powder on her per
feet little nose.
DO know him?"
Don't be sorry" Lucinda smiled
beguilingly, but it's Bill Merry.
man. your boss. He's one Of
Ralph's old friends, you know, and
!, l thought-well that it might be
pleasant for you to see him so
cially E"
Amy's head was turned and Lu-
cida could not tell whether she
was pleased or annoyed.
Ralph's key sounded in the lock
and he came in with a tall blonde
man in tow. Bill Merryman had,
Lucinda decided, one Of those
poker faces. Not even his first
sight of his secretary, poised and
smiling, could surprise him.
Miss North is one Of my oldest
friends" Lucinda told him gayly,
and I thought that threesome
is so dull while a foursome :"
The dinner was a astronomical
success although Amy and Bill ad-
dressed scarcely word to each
other. But Lucinda knew how to
fix that. Her method of getting
two people interested in each
other was quite simple. All she
did was to get each one alone with
her while she told the party Of
the first part some nice things
the party of the second part said
about him or her.
After dinner, while she and
Amy put on lipstick in the bed
room, she told Amy that Bill had
told Ralph that he though Amy's
hands were the most fascinating
he had ever seen.
Later, after the bridge game,
she maneuvered Bill into the
kitchenette with her to help pour
coffee and she told him that after
Amy's description Of his brilliant
mind. she was a little afraid OF
him.
Bill did not flush with pleasure
He Just looked at Lucinda as il
he saw through the whole scheme
But Lucinda knew he didn't.
At midnight Amy rose.
Il must CO."
Bill followed suit. "I'll drive
you home, Miss North"
Lucinda'S heart sank. They
wouldn't even call each other BY
their first names. Had she failed
to kindle even a faint spark oi
personal interest?
The following week she hac
them for dinner. They were ever
cooler to each other than the first
time. But Lucinda had another
trick up her sleeve. She got Amy
alone.
AMY MISSES CUE
you know" she said off-hand
edly, Ralph likes Bill so much
but personally I can't see any
thing to the man. He's so lacking
in animation or in any appeal
for girl -"
This was Arny's cut to defend
Bill, If she liked him at all.
You're right" Amy said vehe
mently. Hes very dull"
Lucinda had been prepared fo1
anything but that. And then she
heard Bills voice from the door
way.
And while we're on the subject
OF dullnesS," he said with his
usual solemn air, there's no use
throwing Miss North and me at
each others heads, Lucinda, be
cause as far as I am concerned
Amy North is a total loss"
Lucinda could not help it. She
burst into tears. And then Any's
arms went around her and she
heard a laugh from Bill and she
looked up. There was Ralph too
a slckly smile on his face.
Don't feel so bad" ANY
whispered. Bill and I have been
married for over a year. secret.
ly. His father doesn't approve OF
me as daughter-in-law or Of a
married woman working as q
secretary in his office. and
wanted to be Bills wife and keep
on with my job. But today we
decided that I'm to retire from
business and Bill is to break the
news to his father"
why, why did you let me
make such fool. -"
Ralph seized her hand. my
idea. darling. Forgive me but ]
asked them to treat each other
more coldly every time they came
e. to teach you a lesson so you'd
stop this crazy matchmaking"
II think Lucinda's cured" Amy
laughed. Luce, you and Ralph
must come up for dinner soon.
want to show you our apartment
I'm having my sister Dorothy
too"
you mean your older sister?"
Lucinda asked impulsively. isn't
she married yet?"
She could not understand why
Ralph groaned.