The Wilmington morning star., 1942-02-19
By Allen Epps

Il think, SAID FREQ, tild'
need another drink"
81 could use one also, SAID
Irene.
Fred ordered. The two of them
drank and gazed into space.
II was afraid for WHILE, said
Fred, 'that Susan was falling for
this Leonard fellow
$50 was l." said Irene. She
sighed. whats more, I'm not too
sure even now that she isn't. And
Roy for her."
"No!" Fred was startled.
''The day I found them kissing
each other in Roy's office, II
nearly died"
Fred sat down his glass with a
sharp click. HE was kissing herr"
he said, his eyes wide with anger.
YES" said Irene. They pre-
tended some SORT of cock-and-buD
story, but Roy had rouge on his
face, and"
THAT" said Fred, "is the straw
that broke the cameps back" He
pushed back his chair. I'm going
straight to the Club Martelle and
tell Susan she's got to catch an
early morning plane"
"But-why butt in on the par
ty?" said Irene. 1--WE can have
another dance, and then 60 get
Susan-and Roy"
There's no time to lose," said
Fred. He waited to finish hi S
drink. Pulling that little me-
stuff, and pretending she's some
thing she isn't"
What did you say?" Irene
asked. 1t was her time to be star
tied.
GOSH" said Fred. 81 guess
1 spoke out of turn
But Irene was not to be downed.
She had made up her mind to
learn all she could about Susan,
and now was the time. Nothing
was going to stop her.
Give had a hunch all along"
she said, that Susan Farmer was
putting on an act. So 60 on, tell
me the truth. After all. 1 work
for the Dainty Diana Diaries, and
wouldn't want toto spill it.
Fred looked at her. He hesitated
about going on, but when he found
himself visualizing Susan in Roy
Leonard's arms, he forgot every
thing else.
You're darned right she was
putting on an act" he said. 1--WE
known Susan Farmer for years,
and although she is a farmers
daughter, she never did anything
about it until she heard about this
contest. Say, did you know she
could speak French, Italian and
Spanish? Did you know she was
voted the most sophisticated girl
in her class at college?"
You're not kidding?" said
Irene. You're not putting on an
act yourself, are your"
Il should say not" Fred's two
drinks were doing things to him.
He was forgetting everything but
that he was mad through and
through. And that silly sunbonnet
and gingham gown get-up was all
part of the act, too. Susan never
wore sunbonnet in her life until
she posed for that picture. 1 know.
l took the picture, and had it en-
larged for her."
Irene leaned back. She began to
laugh.
Whats so funny?" Fred de.
"Roy-Mr. Jones-all of New
York, falling for IA hoax like
that!" said Irene. ITS the funni-
est thing I ever heard of. The
wisest city in all the world, falling
for a fake sunbonnet, fake farm
er's daughter, "a"
"Shhhh!" said Fred. mot 50
loud!"
"And little me, Irene Carter.
being the only cne that was smart
enough to see through the whole
thing!"
"Shhhh!"
Come on!" said Irene. Lets
go crash the Meyer party. 1 want
to get Roy away from that-that
actress"
"But don't make a scene," said
Fred. 'The whole thing will be
over tomorrow. There's no need
things up-at this late
date"
Irene caught up her wrap. She
grabbed Fred's arm. Outside they
found taxicab.
ITO the Club Martelle!'' said
Irene.
And off they went.
The Meyer party was in full
swing when they arrived at the
club. They took a table for two
EVVyJyZ( NNVIIuN