Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-06-27

wardly dropped her glove because
Vance had been so painfully. rigor-
ouSly gallant. Although his writing
cracked with healthy cynicisms he
was, himself, an addict to the drug
of horror. In one of his plays a cavalier
remarks, II threw my cloak down for
a woman to tread upon; but that was
not enough. allowed her to take it
home and use it as a doormat" +.
Dimly she heard Henry's voice, Isn't
it?"
Isn't it what?"
Amusing" He had paused by one
of the most vivacious windows on
Fifth avenue, fantastic with cellophane
birds nesting in trees carved out of
pink rubber sponge. Daisies and but
tercups of cockleshells bloomed around
lady created from blonde hemp. "See
the big spider" he said. ITS legs are
made from old-fashioned screen door
springs
Laurie shook her head impatiently.
Screen door springs! Don't you see
the frock? The name of it?"
He adjusted his thick-lensed glasses
and read the words on a porringer
which the hemp lady was languidly
holding. Torn Cobweb,'" said Henry
Il shall have it," cried Laurie, clap
ping her hands, childishly excited.
He frowned. 1T will be awfully ex-
pensive."
II don't care! Ricky and I are the
daughters of a trust fund. You must
remember that, since it's your own
bank which mothers and fathers US"
But Ricky works sometimes"
"Oh, RiclIyl Her work is always mis-
chief which the devil finds for idle
hands to do
Il will bet" said Henry, that you
are quoting Vance Devlin."
She felt her face grow very warm.
Henry was being difficult today, not
to say unpleasant.
Then you should praise my good
memory" she said sharply. Don't be
stuffy. I am going to have the frock.
Are you coming IMP"
Now surely he would go away. But
he followed her amiably into the store.
). The gown was Of silken beige net,
frosted with silvery cobwebs. The
French SaleSwoman exclaimed with
genuine admiration, 1T is made for
you alone! You are stunning in 1t!
That is so much better than if it were
stunning on you. You understand what
l mean - She sighed. Have you
seen the play?"
Only half a dozen times" said
Laurie, turning and turning before the
mirrors, looking at herself with the be-
witched gaze of child staring into
a kaleidoscope.
"Oh! For some reason I thought you
weren't a New Yorker. Maybe because
you are so fresh and natural. Most OF
them seem so hard-they resemble
their own jewels. . . Not Madame
Devlin. She was here yesterday. Do
you know her?
Laurie shook her head, listening
eagerly, her eyes cannily narrowed.
Poor lady," said the French woman.
She looked at this gown. She Is far
from svelte. was in terror that she
might buy it. But she only touched it,
examined it very closely and then she
smiled and went out without another
word. They say he is most charm
ing. Too bad his wife is pas dLstin-
guee.' But they say he is extremely
devoted Where shall I send the
gown, mademoiselle?"
Il shall take it, said Laurie. Il shall
wear it this evening"
The woman's pale eyes lighted with
a vicarious triumph. What a conquest
you will make!'
Henry carried the shiny white and
gold box to the door of LaurieS apart
ment and accepted her haf-hearted
invitation to come in. The maids out,
she said. Mix something or other while
I throw on a houSecoat. Ricky started
on a new job today-something very
silly to do with a newspaper, l think
:" Suddenly she stopped her own
aimless chatter thinking, Il sound too
excited, too overnight. He knows
Something must calm down. Oh,
why is he here, Of all people! Old
moralist! As Vance said Of him, Afraid
to have his cake, let alone eat it,"