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Show X3 Cvf'" This is the first ot a series of r. r i-&' n six based on the daily install-Yf install-Yf ments of the thriving, roman---sp C "ic Metro-Goldwyn-layer's - ?-' V motjon picture "Love on the ( N starring Joan Crawford y 'Vcan4' Car!t Gatj!e- Adapted by FRANCES BARBOUR Chapter One THE BRIDE IN FLIGHT ; ,, v ... r I ' - v V a 1 a. .4 "M hot's tlie matter, ' Von must be from, that Sally Parker Russian Blini I almost married." Resplendent in top hat and striped trousers, Mike Anthony tip-toed softly down the corridor. As foreign correspondent of The Chronfcle, he had been about to attend the wedding of the scintillating heiress, SaJly Parker, to Prince Igor of Russia. But something must have happened. Not a moment before, she had flown by him in the hotel lobby, her veil streaming out behind her like white mist. Now, from behind a door, he heard a noise. A snuffle, a sob a snuffle,' a sob. Tentatively, he tried the knob and peered into the room, meanwhile mean-while clutching tight to the bridal bouquet he had picked up downstairs. ' As he entered, the girl jumped up and her great blue eyes blazed at sight of the flowers. "Take them away," she yelled. "Marry Prince Igor, will I? Not vie! Wanted me for himself, did he? Tfiat Royal bread-pudding! bread-pudding! Yes, with a modest little settlement of three million dollars thrown in.". Suddenly, she reached for the telephone. "Who are you? Another reporter, I guess. I hate them all. I'll just call the manager ' Gently, Mike replaced the receiver. His thoughts raced. There was a whale of a story hei-e or he was a wall-eyed cockroach. And what a head start he had on it. "Not a reporter, Sally Parker," he lied, shyly, "just a silent admirer. Ever since I saw your picture in the paper as. a debutante debu-tante I've thought of nothing else, and today I went to St. Gregory's to look at you for the last time a sort of goodbye." He saw her face sofien. Then a heavily accented voice spoke from the doorway. ' ' ' " r "I '"You're hardly a bargain at three million dollars" Mike told the Prince. Prince Igor advanced into the room and threw out his arms dramatic ally. "Sally, my baby, my baby-love, what happened?" His baby-lov snarled in regal scorn, "You scurrilous little scavenger!" "But my darling," the Prince protested, "for why are you angry? My Uncle only asked that you 'sign a little paper to insure- our happiness," "I donlt want any insurance," Sally protested violently. "I'm cancelling can-celling my order. They can put you back in Macy's window." But even as she spoke, Mike realized that the Prince had been looking at him appraisingly. If his Excellency should recognize him as the Chronicle's star reporter, all would be lost. Sally would have him thrown out bodily and he'd lose what promised to be the best story of the year. "Ah-ha," the Prince suddenly squealed, "At the League in Geneva! that was where I met you!" He glared at Mike. "Sally, my love, do you realize that this gentleman is a " All at once, Mike decided to play knock-knock. A one-two to the Prince's jaw and alas, his Excellency was down and out. In a wee voice, Sally said, as the Prince lay still, "Why did you do that?" "He said just about enough to you," Mike retorted righteously. Someone Some-one tapped on the door. He began to talk rapidly. "Listen, that must be the manager. Look, Sally Parker, would you like to hide away from all this, alone? Away from everything where nobody can reach you?" Her eyes shone. "Oh yes, yes. I've wanted that all my life." Mike took her hands. "Then trust me, Sallv. Come on, here's the back way out." is- ?-V ,- . - - w -.- v-i -- . , r. A t " - ', ' i i ' - i F . t J e shall leave the hotel dressed for the flight" the Baron explained. j Pushing her into a service closet, Mike galloped down the hall. He had remembored the Baron Spanderman, who, with the Baroness, was scheduled sched-uled for a stratosphere flight this very day. And with wild glee, Mike . realized what a perfect disguise their special flying suits, complete with I oxygen helmets, would make for himself and Sally. Breezing into the Baron's room though, he suddenly stopped short. There was his bitterest rival, Barney Pells, of the New York Despatch. "Come in, come in," the Buron said genially. "You'll excuse my wife? She's taking her usual salt tub before the flight." Mike smiled easily. "Of course, Baron." He was almost purring as he looked at the flying suita that the Baron was offering for his inspection. "Yes sir, a very ingenious outfit, excellent tailoring " Slowly, he began to strip off his coat. Barney was all at once alert. "How come? What foul underhanded trick are you " He never finished the sentence, for Mike was at his knock-knock game again. It was a matter of three minutes, all in all, for Mike to tie both Barney and the Baron up, get himself and Sally into the flying suits, down the elevator and into a taxi at the hotel door. They were whisked off and as Mike scribbled on a pad, Sally asked nervously, "What are you writing?" Mike answered glibly, "Cable to my mother. It's her birthday tomorrow." Then he re-read what he had written in code. "Berger. New York Chronicle. Have Sally Parker and don't mean maybe. Stop. Biggest story of year. Stop. How are your gall stones? Anthony." ' (Vf-'hat ore Mike's plans? Will Sally discover Jiis treachery? Dont miss tomorrow's installment of ihiM rollicking adven lure-romance.) |