The Wilmington morning star., 1940-03-11
CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SIX
At Landau's, Romany was wear
inc her first orchid. Brent Nelson
had taken her into the florist shop
beside the night club and bought
it as they got out of his car.
In Aunt Cissie's furs, with the
lovely flower nestled on her Shout
der. she felt like a queen. 1t was
a glorious feeling, and the girl had
a delicious sense of the power OIL
her sex as Brent leaned toward her.
feasting his blue eyes on her dark
beauty.
you're the most beautiful thing
I've ever seen in my life" Nelson
told her softly, and she believed ne
meant it.
She felt beautiful. Sure of her
self. Entirely at ease. She looked
as though she had been born to lux
ury, and the announcer was secret
ly pleased at the attention she was
attracting-the envious glances OF
women and the none too subtle
slances of the men.
Tell me about yourself Brent
asked then.
That was the last thing Romany
wanted to do. There was nothing
to tell at all, she felt. All h had
ever done was to grow up on a farm
and struggle through four years at
Indiana on Aunt Cecelia's stipend.
She laughed softly.
Tell you about myself! Mercy,
nv life story would bore you to
DEATH"
NO." he denied, that would be
impossible. You would bore
me, my dear"
"Td rather tell you about Aunt
Cissie," she evaded.
"All right, III settle for Aunt Cis'
sic"
Aunt Cecilia Harlow, Mrs. Will
J.. Harlowe."
OH Brent nodded, impressed.
Farm implements"
That's right" Romany was
pleased that the name meant some
thing to him.
Il thought there was a gold
spoon back somewhere in your
family" Brent grinned. You
couldn't look like hat on peanuts,
even if you are beautiful"
Aunt Cissie," Romany went on
avoiding the issue, sis marvellous
You'd love her"
I'm sure of it, if she's anything
like you"
I'VE look almost like twins"
Romany laughed. "If I said mother
and daughter, Aunt CT ssie would
strangle me. I'm living at her
apartment now"
Brent shook his blond head dis
mally.
"Chaperoned! I knew it,"
ooh, but she's in Europe" Rom
any smiled. And she isn't coming
back till just before Christmas"
Good" Brent enthused. II I
work fast"
Silly" broke in Romany. my
room mate from college, Cholly
O'Neil, is living with me She's en-
gagged to Terry O'Rourke."
The song plugger," Nelson nod
ded. THAT guys got talent If he
When Nelson hesitated, Romany
finished the sentence:
eff he'd settle down and stop
drinking and have a little sense.
But I wonder if he ever will"
"That's problematical," Brent
shrugged. Ellis addition at Inter
state had every one excited, and
our artists bureau was very much
interested in him. But when Baines
found out he drank pretty heavily
he didn't even bother having record
ings made Of his voice."
Romany said unhappily:
And Cholly is so crazy about him,
I'm always afraid she'll marry him
in a moment of weakness and have
to take care Of him the rest o. her
life"
"All the gals are crazy about Big
Terry" Brent said. "Chollv must
be the little redhead I've seer him
with"
That's Cholly. T%urned-up nose
and freckles."
"Cute child"
"She's a wonderful musician
Romany told him. Il wish she coult
get a break in radio. She's playing
the piano part time in Leo-Dane'.
now, and she has her mother ant
seven brothers and sisters to sup.
port"
Brent Whistled:
"Wow! That's a nest full. If
hear Of a n opening any place, II
let you know"
"Oh, that would be marvellous,
Romany said gratefully. IT worr.
about her so. And she's so indie
pendent"
Romany's stock went up severa
points in Brent's opinion when hi
saw the sympathy in her face. HI
knew she was not just talking fol
effect. It was nice that a girl with
her means should be so eager t.
help another girl with nothing. Toe
bad piano players were a dime {
dozen, or he might S his influence
in getting Cholly on the staff at In.
terstate.
The orchestra was playing a med
ley of old waltzes. Brent wanted
Romany. close to him, so he said
smiling:
Shall we dance, lovely lady?'
They were near the same height
and with her dark beauty contrast
ing with his blond, tanned, cheer
full face, they were a handsome cou
nla. uor reornoca was hreath.tak