Evening star., 1941-06-19

rapleT.
No, Janielle reasoned rapidly,
eigolo; some one else could have
hired him for the evening; he was
a nondescript whom she had en-
gagged for a price; he was nobody
to whom she couldn't possibly
react.
Locke Allen broke in on her
thoughts. Aren't you lost away
up there?"
What? Oh, I'm sorry.
They walked to the elevator
Hurting upward, Locke berated
himself. A reverse antipathy to his
sudden f1areup was Seething in his
mind. He laughed silently at him
self. Barking like wounded puppy
at a girl he hardly knew, a girl
who was nothing to him. But even
as she thought that he felt a quick
doubt.
For throbbing instant back
there in the doorway, Locke knew
he had experienced sensation that
had snapped along his nerves, leav-
ing him acutely aware of every mo-
ton, every turn of Janielles body.
He shook the thought away.
Here it is" Janielle said.
They walked across the wide hall
way. Locke banged the huge brass
knocker. A sad-faced, silent butler
opened the door and stood aside
for them to enter.
Locke Is introduced.
Locke wasn't prepared for what
he saw. The suite was huge and
rambling, and every article in it
was done in the ultramodern style.
chairs. tables, lounges, floors. walls
-. people. Chromium, brass, iron-
work was scattered about in in
tended diSarray with apparent dis
dain for comfort, like a mad artists
dream, startling, Spartanlike, cold.
Janielle moved forward purpose
fully. She halted beside a small,
dark haired, crimson mouthed
woman. Locke heard Janlelle say,
Hello, Anne
The woman turned gracefully.
Locke discerned arched, calculating
eyebrows, a sensitive mouth that
could easily become senuous, thin
nose with flaring noStrils; and
above, Locke looked at cleaning
turbulent eyes. The woman was at
tractive in a dangerous way.
Darling, thought you would
never come!" the woman said. Who
let you in? I didn't hear you" Her
voice was throaty and promising.
your butler" Janielle answered
shortly. Locke saw her lift gray
eyes toward the dark, suave, young
man at the other woman's side.
When the man met Janielle's eyes
his face darkened defensivly.
Hello, Lance" Janielle said.
Locke thought, her voice dissem-
bles. This man has hurt her.
The butler took his and Janielle's
wraps That simple act plummeted
Janielle back to reality. She turned
toward Locke. I'm sorry" Her
eyes fiickered at the mocking light
she saw there May I present Mr.
James Locke? Miss Anne Ruther-
ford, Mr.. Lance Whitney"
The Interest Lags.
Locke bowed and murmured,
"How do you do?" Whitney didn't
offer his hand.
Anne Rutherford said. This is the
man you were telling us about,
Jan?" She spoke as though Locke
wasn't there. "Oh, he Is marvel
ous!" Her throaty voice ran up the
scale.
Locke grinned tightly. Thanks
I thought it was about time that
some one mentioned that to Janielle.
I'm a bit reticent, you know"
Lance Whitney looked annoyed.
~You've known Janielle long?"
Locke looked down at Whitney,
a curious, battling smile playing
about the corners of his mouth.
Not long enough he said.
"Oh, but quietly contagious!"
Anne Rutherford exclaimed. Locke
wondered then whether she knew
what she was talking about at any
time.
Janielle's eyes Widened thought
fully as she noted the amused gleam
In Locke's eyes. Anne Rutherford
said, "Janielle knows every one here,
jim May I call you that? 1t is
much better, I think. And you call
me Anne. Do you mind?" She
laughed and showed a flash of even,
white teeth She continued quickly,
"In a while names won't matter
anyhow. I had better take you
around before that happens, al