Page:The Black Camel (IA blackcamel0000earl).djvu/37

“Don’t you worry, Shelah,” Julie said. “Jessop and I have planned everything. It will be like all your parties—a knockout. What’s that, Jessop? Flowers?”

“For Miss Fane,” explained the butler, and handing the box to the girl, left the room.

Shelah Fane was looking about her, a frown on her face. “I’ve been wondering, Julie. How in the world can I arrange a good entrance on the party, in a place like this? If only there were a balcony, or at least a broad flight of stairs.”

Julie laughed. “You might come suddenly through the lanai, strumming a ukulele and singing a Hawaiian song.”

The star took her seriously. “No good, my dear. I'd be entering on the same level with the guests, and that is never effective. To make the proper impression, one must appear suddenly from above—always remember that, darling. Now, in Hollywood———”

The girl shrugged. “Oh, just come in naturally for once, Shelah. There’s a lot in novelty, you know.” She had torn the cord from the box of flowers, and now she lifted the lid. “Lovely,” she cried. “Orchids, Shelah.”

The star turned, without interest. Orchids were nothing new in her life. “Nice of Alan,” she said languidly.

But Julie shook her head. “No,” she announced, “they’re not from Mr. Jaynes, evidently.” She read the card aloud. “ ‘With love from one you have forgotten.’ Who could that be, Shelah?”

“Who couldn’t it be?” smiled the star a bit wistfully. She rose with sudden interest. “I wonder—let me see the card.” She glanced at it. “ ‘With love