The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-06-17
Blonde
For Bait
By ROB EDEN

Continued From Page 12)
was rewarded by Kicks exelsna-.
ton of admiration when he called
for her. t
On the way to Karrs in Leslie's
car. she congratulated herself on
her campaign.
1--WE at least got him Interest,"
ed she told herself. Now. maybe
he'll ask me out more often
Noisy shouts
Most of the other guests were
there when Ellen and Rick arrived,
and they were greeted by noisy
shouts as they entered the door.
The girl glanced quickly around.
but saw no one she had ever met
before although they all seemed to
know Rick very well.
She soon was in a furry of in
Productions, the only two of which
made any impression on her being
Karl Vorhis himself, and a beau
tiful dark haired girl whose name
was Gwen Caithness.
Karl seemed to be an amiable,
good nstured sort of person with
gray eyes which, coupled with ms
sandy complexion and closely
cropped sandy red hair, gave him
Nordic appearance.
Ellen noticed that while his
heavy lips turned upward frequent
~ into a not unattractive smile.
the effect was a bit startling
when you noticed that his eyes re-
manned definitely unchanged, cold,
gray and calculating.
He was not a tall man, at least
four inches shorter than Rick. but
he was more powerfully built with
heavy shoulders and a thick body
which, however, revealed no signs
of fat.
Karl apparently was man who
kept himself fit, and Ellen was
not surprised, later, when she
talked with him, to learn that he
was greatly interested in horses.
Il ride every day" he told her,
and Sundays I often spend the
entire day in the saddle"
Close Conversation
While she talked with Vorhis.
she noticed that Gwen and Rick
were in close conversation in a
corner of the room.
She strained her ears to try to
hear what they were saying. but
after Ovens first remark: II
thought you were coming alone"
they lowered their voices and she
could make out nothing.
Gwen Caithness was very at
tractive, and Ellen somehow got
the impression that she had spent
considerable time abroad.
There was a sickness about her
and the mannerism she had of
struggling her shoulders slightly to
emphasize her words that certainly
was not typically American.
Ellen saw Ovens eyes turned
on her appraisingly and she smiled
across the room in friendly man.
ner, but there was no answering
smile. Rather, Gwen seemed
slightly annoyed and the girl
sensed a feeling of sntagonism.
This feeling grew during the
evening, and from the way Gwen
chung to Rick at every opportun-
ity, Ellen realized what was behind
the too evident disapproval.
Shes in love with him." she de-
cided, land she's peeved because
Rick is paying me some attention.
AT any rate, if I'm going To charm
the young man to get secrets out
Of him, I'm going to have some
warm competition from Miss
Caithness.
Danced Twice
Ellen danced twice with Rick
and once with Karl before being
lured into a bridge game.
She didn't particularly care for
cards and played a game which
brought frequent scowls to her
partners face, so she was greatly
relieved when Rick came over
about eleven-thirty. and asked if
she would mind leaving.
I've developed beastly head
ache he apologized. 4 get them
every once in awhile, and the only
cure I've ever found is sleep.
Would you be upset if we left
now >"
of course not" she answered
quickly. The rubber had Just
ended and she could escape from
the game without too much trouble.
But Rick" Karl protested.
Aren't you going to wait for sup
per? l have caterer bringing in
a lot of things at midnight"
Sorry, old man. Rick apollo
gized. But you'll have to excuse
me this time. Ny head really is
humping like a bass drum"
Goodbyes
Goodbyes were quickly said. but
as they were leaving. Ellen inter-
cepted a quick glance that passed
between Rick and Gwen Caithness.
She saw Gwen smile and nod.
ITO Be Continued)