The Wilmington morning star., 1944-01-19
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llknJNGS%. LORENA CARLETON a.
ApmsAS

!, her catch a couple Of killers. Thu
9 truth was so fabulous she had diff
ficulty believing it herself.
. Leaning against the car cush
ions, she stared beyond the Mexi
can girl at Carlos, who was star
ing back. The expression on his
face made her wish her acquaint
ance with Richard Blythe conle
have been something less infor
NAL. Friend of the family since
childhood'' would have been pref
cradle. Or would it? For along
with Carlos disapproval, tempered
partly by politeness, was stiff
ness that pleased her. A tighten.
ing of the muscles along his cheek
and jaw bones. Jealousy.
"Thank heaven" sighed Mallory
to herself, totally happy now. 'I'm
finally getti ing somewhere. -
Everything began fitting into a
pattern. She did not mind if Manu-
eliza was agog over Richard. Shed
even help her to be agog.
She said, Lets plan on dinner
together soon at my apartment.
We three and Mr.. Blythe" Brief
ly she ans wered Manuelita' S
beaming smile; for Carlos she had
a longer smile, one that was daz-
cling beneath her lace-covered
blond hair. The stern tension in
his face melted into an answering
smile. He's doing it again NAL
lory thought. She was beginning
to ache. But it was wonderful.
Wonderful.
Manuelita intercepted the look
between them. Mallory" she ac-
cused, you are flirting with Car
los!" But, instead of pursuing that
subject, she turned away with a
little laugh that held both amuse-
ment and indulgence to shout to
the chauffeur, Back up, Antonio.
You took the wrong road again"
Her hands arched toward the
blond girl in gesture of eloquent
hopelessness. mo matter how oft
en- Carlos and I come out here,
Antonio always manages to get us
lost. Doesn't he, Carlos?'
"Yes," replied the man. And
usually he is so indignant with us
because he is wrong. Perhaps he
will not be tonight because we
have such a famous guest
Isn't she exciting?" exclaimed
ManueHta. Eyes, Carlos?"
Yes Carlos voice, that quick
ended Mallory Bakers heart to a
painful beating, continued. "She
would be exciting. however, even
if she were not the famous singer.
I realized that at the press confer
ence.'
Manuelita did not answer. but
she gave that odd little laugh a
second time. Except for murmured
thanks, Mallory did not speak eth
er. The Mexican girls behavior
puzzled her. There was no chance
of reading her expression, because
now the car was speeding along
black country road and Manueli-
ta's creamy, beautiful face was
sort of phosphorescent spot in that
darkness Mallory gave up her at
tempt to penetrate the mysteries
of Manuelita and began making
herself miserable imagining the
many times the lovely Mexican
girl had made this identical trip
with Carlos.
Lights from the Rancho made a
glow against the black skies at
least 10 or Is minutes before they
reached it. The house was a pala-
tial one, of whitestucco, surround
tial one, of white stucco, surround
ed by terraced grounds. There was
swimming pool with tables and
chairs grouped about it. There
were exotic, skillfully trimmed
shrubs and wild, vivid flowers. The
lawn was green and crisp, spotted
with show platforms, dance floor
and sales booths. 1t reminded NAL
Tory Of garden party benefit on
Long Island at the home of some
extremely rich philanthropist.
Manuelita spoke hurriedly to her
guest. I'll not be able to be with
you all the time. I have to help
with the tray sales. Carlos will
look after you while I'm busy"
And I hope you're busy for
ever Mallory yearned to say. H.
stead she said, You will sell more
than anyone I'm sure of it,
Manuelita sparkled as she obvi-
ously did to all praise. She handed
the wool cape she had been wear.
ing to Carlos while explaining to
Mallory, "Pll freeze. But all the
patronesses have to be dressed
alike
Now Mallory saw that a dozen
or more girls were in the same
China Poblana costume. Lovely
girls. Every bit as lovely as Manu-
eliza. That discovery made NAL
lory happy; as suddenly she knew
she was a dope to feel happy. 1t
simply meant there were that
many more girls to parade before
Carlos in that fascinating, glitter
ing dress of the famous China
Doll" For they were parading.
L.. L