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Show .iHIIIIHIIIIIIIIimilllllllHIIIi Murder Masquerade BY- - Inez Haynes Irwin Copyright Inti Haynra Ir.ia WNU Service. glBiiEEiLi, WEDNESDAY Continued 15 I wondered why Patrick was asking questions so far from the mark. But I knew he had iiis own circuitous way of approaching the thing he wanted most to know. I waited. Did you see Molly?" "Yes. I had two reasons for One was to see Molly coming. and I did see her. "When did you see Molly? "She met me at the Marshland station. She came over on the nine o'clock train. We drove the whole morning long and had lunch together. Then she went back on the 2:20 train. "She came back to Satuit alone? "1 wasnt with her. "Where did you go then? "Well, I told you that I had two objects in coming to Satuit. The first was to see Molly and the second was to see Ace Blaikie. When X put Molly on the train for Satuit, I went back there myself in my gaged while I was Aces secretary; that six months later Molly broke the engagement and that, six months later, she became engaged to Ace. I remember all that, I said. I understand, Walter went on, that Satuit has rocked with rumors about that broken engagement. Almost every theory has been advanced to account for it and almost everything that could be said has been said. None of them is true. Oh, I do think that one or two people conjectured that Ace Blaikie deliberately set himself to the work of breaking our engagement. That was true. But how it was done, nobody but Molly and I have the remotest idea. Walter paused and his look hardI was astonished at the ened. change that came over him. Suddenly he looked, not so much ten years older, as ten years wiser, more knowledgeable, I would put it. His air became hard and unrelenting. I had the feeling that ii Ace Blaikie had not been dead, there would have been hatred in it. bitter, biting hatred. The exact truth of the matter is that Ace fell desperately in love I didn't blame him with Molly. Here Walter's smile for that. I have never blamed came back. any man for falling in love with Molly. The wonder to me is that every man in the world is not at her feet. I am not naturally a jealous person and I wasn't' and never have been the least bit jealous of Ace. I have known from the moment that we became engaged that Molly loved me and would always love me. But after a while, I could see that Ace was making a genuine play for Molly. I realized that "Did you see Ace? "Yes, I had an appointment with, him. How had you made that appointment? "By malL "Can you remember what you said in the letter? Not exactly. It was brief only a 'few sentences. In effect, I wrote that there were some things I must discuss with him and that I would meet him in some quiet place where we could talk privately. I asked him not to tell my people that X was coming. That was all, I think. Where did you meet Ace? "In Locust Lane. And what time? "Half past three in the afternoon. "You two men were alone? "As far as I know. "Molly did not join you? Waiter gave a swift dissenting nod of his head. "Was your talk with Ace amica- off. "I get Patrick you perfectly, commented. "In other words, you bad an argument. "Yes. Patrick let silence seep into the room for a considerable interval. Then he said, Ive got to do something now, that I dont any more enjoy doing than youll enjoy having me do. I hate to ask the questions I've got to ask. Of course, you know as well as I do, what my first question is going to be. want to ask you what you and Ace were quarreling over. Something apparently leaped suddenly into his mind for he turned like a shot to Molly. "Molly, he said, "I must remind you that as Walter's wife, you would- not be compelled by any court of law to give testimony that concerned him. "But I want to tell everything, Molly replied with her splendid candid fearlessness. If there's any detail which Walter can't remember and I can, I shall be very glad to supply it to you. "Ace and I, Walter said, were talking about Molly." "You had quarreled and were quarreling about Molly? Patrick suggested. "Yes, we had! We were! Walter stopped short and looked at Molly. She looked at him. For a perceptible interval, the glances from those two pairs of young eyes interlocked. Never in any human gaze had I seen such a passion of adoration and assurance as was in Walters look; never such a worship and faith as was in Molly's. Patrick and I watched that beautiful phenomenon, silent. I felt the tears pricking behind my eyeballs. Patricks look grew, as I knew it always did when he was touched, definitely more "I think, Pat, Walter started, "that the time has come for me to tell you about my whole relation with Ace Blaikie. It concerns Molly of course. "Go on I Patrick said. - j j ft ft By VIRGINIA VALE annual RESULTS of the favorites, with two hundred and fifty-tw- o editors casting the votes, brought joy to the hearts of Hollywood studios, for film favorites proved to be the outstanding radio favorites too. radio- -column Paramount is leading the cheering for their Jack Benny, for the fourth consecutive year, won the vote for best comedian and best program on the air. Bing Crosby was elected best singer of popular songs. Bob Burns ran third among comedians, and that was no small achievement. Benny and Fred Allen had the first two places, and there were no less than ten or twelve famous stage comedians competing for Nelson Eddy was third. ranked first among classical singers, and Universals Deanna Durbin best of all the newcomers to radio. Twentieth Centurys Tony Martin made a good showing, getting third place among singers of popular songs. And RKOs Lily Pons took second place among singers of classical music. Interview etiquette is next in importance to romance manners in WhenHollywood. ever asked ' their opinion on the greatest actor on the screen, players are supposed to mention someone under contract to their own studio. Pat O'Brien just won't play according to that rule. He thinks Spencer Tracy is by all odds the best actor on get married. How did you h ppen to. choose the screen and inthe time of the Stow party? sists on saying so. but it is not so pleasant for Just because it came at the Brothers to whom Pat is I Warner I had the time. money right needed. Then I knew everybody under contract. in Satuit would be thinking of the east Robert Taylor When masquerade. Besides Molly and I had had so many swell times at in "Camille, it was with the hope the Stow masquerades, that we that the incomparable Garbo would wanted to go. So, as I told you make him forget all others, bnt the other day, I came on secretly when the last scene was shot, young and stayed in Aunt Marys Little Taylor was still calling her "Misa House. Garbo. Next he was cast opposite And you had no contact with Jean Harlow, and studio folks slyly Ace at all? Patrick inquired. intimated that the huge boxes of None. flowers she received on the set evYou did not see him all day Fri- ery morning probably came from even sent Taylor to him. day?" Not until the masquerade. Washington, D. C., to sttend the And did you speak to him at Presidents birthday ball with Jean. And ail to no avail. He still thinks the masquerade? For the first time there was a lit- Barbara Stanwyck is the grandest I girl in the world. tle asperity hi Walters tone. think I told you before that I did not. Hal Roach isn't content with keepThen I am to understand, Patat his two-re-el audiences rick summed it up, both from you ing comedies. giggling sent for has He and Molly that you saw Ace Blaikie Constance Bennett, her dragging only once between the time you back from her long vacation in left Satuit and the night of the New York, and started, production and that one time on a masquerade feature picture. It is to was in Locust Lane on Decoration be a big drawing-roocomedy, very day?" swift, and swanky. It must smart, Walter said. Thats correct," be that he heard Constance in Patrick looked inquiringly at Mol- broadcast of Private Lives that that lyconvinced everyone she had a real That is correct, Molly said. flair for high comedy. Patrick bent forward until his elbows rested on his knees. He conWhen you see Eddie Robinson and templated with a steady, down-shBette Davis in Kid Galahad take gaze his neat and shoes. Well," he said after a a good look at the handsome giant while, go home, children! But I'll who plays the heavyweight cham- have to repeat. Walter, stick j P'on That Is Bill Ilaade, one of around. I dont know when Ill the most extraordinary characters the studios have ever found. Not so need you. long ago he was a steel worker in New York, and very proud of hii THURSDAY job. A theatrical producer eame and him to play on the Again I spent a troubled night. along in a got short-live-d play called It was not so much that I did not i stage Iron Men. When that closed Warexnow I for sleep. slept fitfully; hausted nature was demanding her ner Brothers sent for him, toll. It was more that dreams bothered me broken dreams withMargot Grahame is proudly a new ring to her friends out logic or continuity, great, loomthese days. It is ing, shadowy scenes which glided with an incredible ease and rapids made up of linked hearts of sapphires ty, one into the oiher, blended for an interval and then by some inand diamonds and was once the propconceivable magic separated and erty of Sarah Bernchanged again. Worries! And all hardt. Bernhardt major worries! Walter and Molly! gave it to Ellen TerMargaret. Fairweatherl And my ry as a tribute to thoughts always broke here and melted into a kind of dim, troubled that great ladya confusion. artistry on the However, I was up and dressed stage. Ellen Terry as soon as I had finished my breakleft it to her daughfast. When I came downstairs, S ter - in - law, Julia found Sylvia occupying herself with Neilson, who gave Dorinda Belle on the piazza. it to an English acHow does n happen that you're tress, Mary Glynne. Mary Glynne not down at the Merry Merc? I passed it on to her protege who is Margot Grahame. demanded. Nancy isn't coming over toAnd day, Sylvia informed me. ODDS A!D liUS Charles Rover I thought I'd stay up here. I think in the mini envied man in Hollywood, for new dress for Dorinda in rapid succession in hit next four Ill make a n Belle. he trill play opposite Garbo, then She was sitting on a little foot- Sylvia Sidney, Ginger Rogers, and Claustool beside one of the Gloucester dette Colbert . . . Between Show Boat 9 hammocks. Beside her was her broadcasts. fanny Ross in giving concerts of classical iwig. Eddie Robinson is asklittle work-baske- t. more pleawnt rolet on tha Over the cusione lay bits of ing for became bin screen, non in dress material which I had given a moviegoer and be doesn't want her from time to time; patches of already him . . . Helen Jepom did to silk and chiffon; snippets of ribbon; notantagonize sign that contract with Grand tags of lace. She was threading National after all; the tigned to make an enormous darning-needlI took picturei with Sam Goldwyn inilend . . . word from in that tha it that Dorinda Belle's sorry wardrobe-much the worse for play near British petiple like Xastt Iitts best of all the American ntarn who have gone there he water was about to be replen- d OTHER, between you and me most particular young women and 11 Sis is getting to be a little Last night when Dick called, there she sat, big as life, right in the middle of things chirping about the new dress you made her: how you used a remnant left over from one of your dresses, and got it finished in one afternoon she even had Dick feel the show-of- Aee Fell Desperately in Love With Molly. the first thing I had to do was to resign as Aces secretary. Then I thought Id have a talk with him and warn him to lay off Molly. I didnt go much further than that in my mind. But I had a dim suspicion that if he didn't keep off, despite the disparity in our ages, I was going to beat the face off him. of the Was Ace conscious change in your attitude? Patrick asked. "I'll say he was. I did my work, but we never exchanged a word which did not concern business. Now I have to go back and tell you someth irg about myself, It happens that I have a faculty for imitating signatures. When I worked for Ace, I signed two-thirof his letters and nobody ever noticed the difference. Several times when Ace needed money, he had asked me to make out the check and sign his name to it. Then I would beat it down to the bank and cash it for him. The checks all went through. Naturally I gave Ace the money. Anyway, one Saturday night I gave Ace notice that I was quitting my job. He said he was glad that I'd come to that conclusion because he had several weeks before come to the same conclusion. And then to my astonishment, he said that I'd got to leave town if I wanted to keep out of jail. Naturally, I askea what he meant by that. He said that because he respected my father and mother so much he would lodge no complaint against me if I left Satuit, but if I staed, he would have me arrested for. forgery on the score of those checks. He said lie had a whole sheet of paper on which I had practiced writing his name. That was most likely true. He said that he had taken the checks I had signed to a handwriting expert, all shuffled up with checks which bore his genuine signature and that the expert had. picked out the forgeries. I said, But you know very well I gave He said, Yes. you the money. but prove it! Walter paused. I looked from the expression which was wiping cut all the young contours of his face, to Molly. Mbit's Botticellian hues had turned steely. What happened? Well Pat, Im telling you about the epoch in my life of which I'm Walter admitted. most ashamed, I have to admit to you that that Walter choked back the that I have epithet and began again. to admit to you that Ace Blaikie put it over on me. I was frightened, not on my own account, but ished. Walter "You will remember, said and strangely enough he addressed himself to me, "that I acted as Aces secretary for two years. You will perhaps remember, Aunt Mary, if you remember dates, that Molly and I became en for my father and mother. step-by-st-ep ceed. Several Blouses. I'm going to make another blouse for my jumper soon, Mother. I always admired that white pique shirt of Dicks, so I think Ill try it for my blouse, since the pattern is a lot like a mans shirt m in design. It sounds good to hear you interested in making something for yourself. Maybe you girls will turn your Bid-or-Club into a before tong. You can never tell, Mother, you ot well-polish- ... pic-tur- three-ynr-ol- d e. 'to (TO BE COM1M ED make pictures. f. material. Well, Elsie, you cant blame the child's appreciating herself in a new dress. How about ourselves? Didnt you say your jumper was the talk of the Tennis Club meeting yesterday? And havent I been spending more time before the mirror since I made my new Stylish Stout model? I actually feel like a new person in it imagine me being vain at my agel Flatters Stout Figure. Oh, Mother, youre not vain and youre as young as any of us. You just were lucky to find a particularly flattering style for your figure. That soft jabot makes you look lovely and the whole thing is so slenderizing. But only an expert like you could make such a dress. It isnt being expert, Elsie, it is choosing a pattern that is deftly designed and giving full instructions on how to pro- M-G-- ble? laces Worthy of Your Pride! -- car. A sardonic smile brought strange havoc to Walters pleasant look. "Quite the contrary. "How would you yourself describe your interview? Walter considered the matter with an appearance of great conscientiousness. I would say that in psychology it was characterized by all the emotions and in diction by all the phrases of two men who were ready ' to beat each others Did you tell Molly? At once. She didn't know what to do. We were like the babes in the wood. We clung to each other, but we did not know what to do; and because we were so inexperienced, we lay down to the situation. Molly and I pretended to break our engagement. In reality it was never broken. I left Satuit and went to New York where I got a job, and a good one. I've given that up. I can always get a job. In the meantime, Ace was devilling Molly. I did njt know how much, of couise. After a while she realized that in order to protect me, she mus get engaged to Ace. She wrote me that. But she said, Til die Jeforc I marry him. Have you those le'iers?" "All of them. Then one day, I waked up with the realization that, in spile of my fee.ing fox m. mother and father, x would rather go to prison and work cut my sentence than submit to what I was submitting to. I wrote that to Molly and she wrote back that she agreed with me absolutel). She said in effect, Let's get married. If Ace Blaikie hooses to act in this horrible way, let him d. it. If you are arrested and tried and sentenced, I'll stand by. And when you come out of jail, well take up our life just where we left it and go all the way together. So I made up my mind to that First of all, I came back in May to have another fight with Ace. "Do you remember what you said to him when you met him in Locust Lane? "Not all of couise. Nobody ever remembers the whole of a long conversation, but I remember telling him that Id kill him before Id let Molly marry him. I drew a long lissing breath of warning. All three looked into my direction and smiled, Patrick in a grim amusement, Walter with a detached humor, Molly in a soothing tenderness. I returned to New York. However, Molly and I made our plans. We agreed that .ust as soon as I could wind up my job. Id slip back. Then we'd walk off and never can tell! The Patterns. Pattern 1229 comes in sizes 14 to 20; 32 to 42 bust. Size 16 remaquires 3ft yards of terial for the jumper and 1ft yards for the blouse. Pattern 1847 is available in sizes 36 to 52. Size 38 requires 4ft yards of matrons and other patterns for special occasions are all to be found in the Barbara Bell Pattern Book. Send 15 cents (in coins) today for your copy. Send your order to The Sewing Circle Pattern Dept., 149 New Montgomery Ave., San Francisco, Calif. Patterns 15 cents (in coins) each. 0 BcU Syndicate. Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Pellets made of May Apple are effective in removing accumulated body waste. Adv. 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Kil I wl imwmi pr Itt tmethod nd IS.1 luo fkHimre Oomploleemrlnsiiid 01 lakeside - iwih.biJ"-RAYMON- THOMPSON Ced2 "Quotations" Our supreme business in I'H'Jj we nw carry and to psaa on a it, or lirttrr, the ssrrvd l"P genic living that we bear Havelock Ellin. IarifiKts are not nrccrilf thirds, nor Militarists brave. not necessarily manly, nor I r . frminate. .4. A. Milne. i Life is not half long enongh . my taste. 11. G, V ells. . Women have nlwaya brr Charles Ibt mweime ef mces-S- W " C Western Newspaper Union. i |