Evening star., 1938-01-07

Iris merit day that he Is In lone pith
her and she admits that she still
loDeS Dana.
CHAPTER VIII.
~ URING the week following
their trip to Marville Iris
J lunched every day with Roger
at the Green Derby. Patti
drove Iris and the rest of her staff
numerically. Although their lunch
hour was often late, Roger always
waited for her.
AS the time grew nearer for the
style show Patti became nervous and
her directions were sometimes edged
with sharpness. Iris had begun
to show a little of the strain, and
Roger insisted that she 90 to bed at
an early hour.
He was aware Of the eager, watch
ful air Of expectancy with which she
now scanned the late comers to the
restaurants and night clubs to which
they went.
The day that Dana and Miriam
did come into the Green Derby Roger
knew IN a moment that this was the
man. He noted that Dana had not
seen them. and that Iris watched him
hungrily. She was deliberately slow
about receiving his help with her
wrap, and knew that Danas atten-
ton had been called to them. She
was very gay and attentive to Roger
as they crossed the room. Shed show
Dana that she was not pining.
She was not at all surprised to hear
Dana's voice that evening when she
answered the sharply insistent tele-
phone.
Iris? I had a devil Of time
finding out where you WERE"
"Oh. you did? Why, when did you
and Miriam get back" She was cas-
ual, friendly.
"Oh, last week. When may see
you?"
See me? Oh. you and Miriam can
run up to the apartment almost any
time. if you'll let me know"
Il said. when may T. see YOU
Iris heart quaked. Could she pos
sibly be hearing all right? Her cold
hands almost dropped the receiver, but
she managed a low, when do you
want to see me?"
why. now, Of course"
But she must have q chance to
think. Why should Dana want to
see her? will lunch tomorrow be
all right7" and then she remem-
bered Rogers engagement, remofse-
fully.
"You can't see me tonight?"
mo. have an engagement" She
decided that she would have to break
her luncheon date with Roger, that
she couldn't possibly talk with Dana
now.
Where shall call for you?"
Don't bother. I'll meet you at the
grille room of the Plaza"
Her head ached, and she felt very
confused, almost ILL., She dressed
mechanically for the evening. At
least. she would be a great deal more
composed t. see Dana in daylight.
All evening she wondered why he
should want to see her Everything
was over. There was nothing more
TO be said.
She felt guilty when she told Roger
that she would not be able to lunch
with him the next day, and let him
think it was because OF too much
work at PATHS.
Roger went up to the apartment
for a few minutes at the close Of their
evening. Iris seemed troubled, and
he disliked leaving her In that mood
"Is everything set for the style
Nhow?" he asked.
Iris nodded. Everything but the
personnel's nerves. It's been q hec-
tic week. Ltsbeth has finally finished
the dress I designed last week, after
. storm of tears from her, and Pat
it's Wild tantrum because the dealer
Ahipped the wrong kind of crepe"
All of that work for just one short
hour! Is it worth it?"
How long did you work on your
play that Is produced In one short
EVENING"" she queried in q teasing
voice.
Roger laughed. "All right, art is
Art. You'd better change your mind
about lunch tomorrow. I'll be glad
to wait on you until you can come"
"I1l play fair, Roger. I'm lunching
with Dana Curtis from Marville to-
morrow. He was i11sistent, 80 I finally
consented. Oh, Roger, I know that
I'm foolish to do 1t. You see, he is
the man. And he's married"
But the next day, she didn't lunch
with Dana after all. He called her
and said that Miriam had made other
arrangements. His voice was sulky
and he insisted on an evening en-
gagement.
He came to her apartment and Iris
tried to greet him as she would any
other acquaintance from Marville.
She had steeled herself to be very
gay, and 30 she asked him In to chat
Q while.
Dana stood and looked at her
searchingly you've changed, IRIS"
he said after . moment. "1've been
hearing things about you. The
women are quite envious, and the
men are mad about you"
Nov Dana, don't tease me like
that. You don't have to make pretty
speeches, you know" She held out q
box Of cigarettes. Here, make your
self comfortable"
TT must be true!" he motioned to-
ward the flowers on o table. Don't
tell me you've been sending yourself
bouquets. Miriams quite anxious to
see you. You and your playwright
are oil we've heard about since We
got back"
Tonight Iris had sheathed her slen-
der figure in shimmering metallic bro
caded satin. Her beautiful shoulders
cleaned white against the dark wine
colored chair as she leaned her head
back and smiled at Dana.