Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-05-29

winning cauliflower.'
She reached up to pluck the carna-
ton from Alan's buttonhole, but he
drew back. He was getting obstinate
about the damned flower The little
old girl had given it to him out Of
kindness: there was no point in jeer-
ing at it. And besides Pat had ten
dency to be too darned possessive, any
way.
Paws off, my sweet" he admonished
/ her I'll decide for myself what this
well-dressed man will wear"
But the Duprees will think you're
crazy!" Pat expostulated.
Don't tell me that" Alan said,
calmly you'll ruin my day"
Pat scowled and her big dark eyes
grew stormy.
"Oh you think you're so superior!"
she said. I'll have you know that
don't need your introductions or any
! favors from you"
Alan lit a cigaret. He was bored to
apathy and he idly wished that just for
once Pat would ring some changes in
her reaction to liquor: get argumenta-
| tive first, say, and then giggly, or weep
right away and save the amorousness
| till last. without an audience. how
ever, she ran down and was sullenly
silent which was restful. Alan ordered
more drinks and approved the menu
| Cesco sent in to him. Better feed her,
as soon as possible he thought and save
| some real scenes. At that, she wasn't
as bad as some, and she was good fun
a lot of time. Which was about all
you could ask of girl. after all.
Mind pushing the matches over?"
a clear voice said 1t was a small girl
on Alans right and, as he got out
his lighter. she looked past him to
where Pat was rather beautifully
breeding.
! Hello, there. Miss Haven" she said.
II haven't seen you for an age. Would
you let me describe that dress? rs
the smoothest thing I've noticed to-
day."
! Pat turned and regarded the small,
enthusiastic face with cold indiffer-
ence.
II beg your pardon?" she said.
The small girl smiled cheerfully. She
| had nice wide-set hazel eyes, Alan saw,
and funny little snub nose and
matching golden brown hair and skin.
! She wasn't beautiful. certainly. She
wasn't glamorous and she wasn't even
smart But she was cute, he decided.
He liked the absurd organdy frill like
small dinner plate which finished
off her blouse. and the plain gray suit
she wore revealed satisfactory lines.
Don't you remember me?' she was
asking Pat. I'm Nell Ingham, society
reporter on the Park Avenue"
ooh. yes, I remember now" Pat said,
without perceptible interest.
And this is my mother" Nell went
on. She leaned back to reveal an older,
but still cute edition of herself with
curly CRAVING hair and a corSage of
white lilacs and camellias. Mrs. Ing
ham smiled cordially.
How do you do, Miss Haven?" she
said. you're Nell's favorite debutante.'
Pat stared, in fatigued kind of way
and murmured something unintel-
ligible. Alan.s heavy jaw frightened.
Then he smiled and his smile was very
pleasant.
How do you do, Mrs. Ingham?" he
said. I'm Alan Wintner May I offer
you and your daughter a cocktail?"
Mrs Ingham nodded.
Il like anything with grenadine in
it." she told him. He noticed that in
spite of her budget shop dress and nice
dowdiness in general, she had sur
prising and perfectly casual poise.
Il want white wine and seltzer," Nell
Ingham said ruefully. I'm accursed!
Anything else makes my nose red"
Continued Next Week.