Evening star., 1938-01-12

TT WAS six weeks before Iris and
Aunt Prue made the return trip.
Patti had written Iris and asked
4 her to 60 on to London and
browse around" Roger had been
called back to help with the details
Of his new play, and Iris realized as
she saw him OF that she would miss
him far more than che had thought.
After three weeks in London Iris
was more than delighted to receive
PATHS message that she needed her.
She and Aunt .'Prue had one last
grand evening the night before the
boat sailed.
Aunt Prue was enthralled with 1t
all, yet she longed to get back to
Marville in time for Christmas. And
Iris caught some Of her contagious
Wistfulness.
On the last night out on the ship
Iris slept but little. She lay quietly
so she would not disturb Aunt Prue.
Now that she was nearing home she
had become disturbed and anxious
again. Would Dana try to see her?
She had had letters and cablegrams
from him, urging her to come back.
He had not mentioned Miriam,
and Iris wondered ii he were still
showing Elise Meyer about.
She had not had a great deal Of
time to think about Dana the first
three weeks abroad. Roger had kept
them too busy when she was free to
60 places.
And then after Roger left, Iris
found that much of the pain that
Dana had caused her had become
dulled and was no more the sharp,
twisting hurt which had been so
poignant.
When the boat docked the next
day Iris felt the same thrill which
homecoming had always given her.
Excited. laughing passengers were
pressed close to the rail, and Iris
felt their exuberance as she and
Aunt Prue walked down the gang
plank.
His brown eyes beaming and his
outstretched hand reaching for Iris
small one, Roger made his way to
them. His eyes hungrily took her in,
from the top Of her new chapeau to
her smartly shod feet.
/ Her eyes were clear and laughing.
Today they were q deep violet, SPAR
king with happiness. Roger picked
her up suddenly and kissed her.
They said not = word, and finally
Iris withdrew her hand, and Roger
turned to greet Aunt Prue She pat
ted his arm and said, "Oh, but it's
good to see you. Roger"
! He squeezed her hand and said, II
hope you'll forgive me for taking
Hanks place. He was called to Boston
yesterday. Cathie is moping at home
because she couldn't leave. She's
nursing a cold today"
"I'll 60 to the customs with you.
so you can declare your luggage"
He offered each Of them an arm. and
they threaded their way through the
noisy crowd.
Patti hugged Iris to her when they
later stopped at the shop downtown.
Iris, you dear. You must see wha:
we've been doing with those last
sketches you sent over. And guess
who ordered . new gown from me,
yesterday"
Not in q hundred years. Who?"
Patti motioned for her to follow.
and as they passed one OF the fitting
rooms Patti whispered, "Lookg'
Iris caught her breath sharply.
why. it hasn't been week since I
saw her pickering over one of the
great Pierre's models"
"Yes. that's what she said. Pierre
sent her to me. He said that she was
| hopeless. he washed his hands OF her"
Patti almost giggled. I'm fact. he said
for her to come over and see what
Iris Barton could do for her"
Iris kissed her ecstatically. "The
darling. He is sweet. Patti.
"Yes, and that's not all know.
He tried to steal you from me, Patti
added. accusingly.
We'll" Iris laughed. che didn't
have much luck. did hep" What a
thrill it had been for him to ask her
to come and work for him! She
hadn't even considered it-not for q
moment.
Patti. you look lovely" Iris said
after moment. How is Jim holding
out?"
Poor dear" PATHS face softened
'I'm afraid I'm wearing out his pa
tience. But I don't want to give up,
now. Some day I'll sell out to the
great Pierre. But not Just yet"
II should say not. Not with as
many of PATHS labels adorning the
frocks of the best dressed women in
America rs there are
Iris looked at her admiringly
They're fuming about 1t. Patti Paris
ian imports have fallen of quite .
lot since you opened your salon.
managed to get around quite lot"
How many dresses did you buy?"
mot any. you funny thing. I al
ways managed to look dissatisfied
and with an injured air gave them to
understand that I didn't think they
quite pleased me. OF course, after q
while. felt kindly toward Pierre
He asked me what had in mind, and
when sketched q sports frock one
day he insisted on my coming in
again. Needless to say, he had this
all made up for me-" She pointed
toward the dress she was wearing.
"He wouldn't let me buy it. Said I'd
given him an idea"
Patti took the coat from her shoul-
| ders and turned Iris around the bet
ter to see it. Mot bad. Well I guess
it's good thing you've come home.
What did Pierre say when he found
out you are my, designer?"
He boiled And disappeared, only
to reappear again to offer me the
job"
Patti shrieked. And why didn't you
accept?"
Iris smiled. Because like it here"
what did he say?6
HE just told me emphatically what
fool I was to waste my talents in
>.S> r..S~ FH9N-~ -