Evening star., 1938-01-11

Really. I must tell you something.
Promise you won't be offended"
"of course not" said Iris gra-
ciously.
well, you see, we have been crazy
to meet you and Mr.. Vashe ever since
we started, but we didn't dare be 50
cold. Auntie,s such q good sport, we
got her to pretend that she knew you.
Now remember your promise"
She laughed down. at him. "I1l re-
member. And I'm not at all Of
Tended"
Roger was being swamped with au-
tograph seekers, and she noted how
graciously he responded to them. 1t
was very exciting, she thought.
They went to the bar for cocktail
and Roger complained: Il shouldn't
have brought you to dance. I haven't
even had a look-in."
Shall we slip away for few mo-
ments?" Iris asked.
They went back to her stateroom
for wrap and then sought the deck.
The night air was cold and sharp and
Iris pulled the huge fur collar up
tightly around her little, pointed chin.
They leaned against the rail and
looked out over the inky water. The
moon sent down silvery shaft to tip
the crest of the waves and to seek out
the crisp, dark curls of Iris shapely
little head.
"A cigarette?" Roger held out his
case.
She took one and said, Its a per-
feet night"
He occupied himself with the light
ing OF their cigarettes 1t was a per-
feet night. Perfect for romance, too.
I! was best to keep himself from
thinking too much about it,
He wondered of what she was think
ing as she watched the glow of his
cigarette. How that Curtis fellow
could ever have given her up! He
wondered what Dana thought he had
to offer Iris now.
Never before had he met any one
like her. She had beauty and poise
and gayety in spite of her hurt. She
was sweet and generous and feminine;
she had every quality desirable in a
woman. What he would give for the
love of this slender girl!
Penny" she said, and fished in her
evening bag to hold up a copper.
He was thrown in instant confusion
For my thoughts? I'll tell you some
day" And then a bright idea struck
him. Wonder what Patti and Jim are
doing tonight. Wouldn't it be fun to
send them radiogram? Let's send it
to PATHS apartment Jim said that
he was going to see that she stayed in
this week"
"Oh, let's do" Iris said eagerly
Patti would get such thrill out Of
1t. You know. Roger. have feeling
that she engineered this purposely"
1t was the first time since they had
had been on board that Iris had ever
referred to all that lay back Of them
and Roger was at loss for anything
to say.
Patti is pretty wise" he said after
a moment.
On their way to the radio room they
ran into another couple leaving the
dancing. BE sure and attend our
fancy dress ball tomorrow night" the
girl said as they paused for a mo-
ment.
Iris said happily, "Oh, a costume
party. love them!"
BE sure and mask"
Il haven't been to a costume party
since was kid" Roger protested.
Why, have nothing to wear"
Don't worry. I'll rig up something
for you tomorrow, Iris said quickly.
"Oh, think it will be lot of fun"
Roger had vision of all her foreign
dolls in their little costumes in the
treasure chest of Iris girlhood back
in Marville. It would be fun for her.
Iris was running her minds eye back
over the usable things in her ward
robe. AS they went on she exlaimed:
"Oh, I know! I've thought of the
Verv thing"