the bed beside his, but, when Candy threw back the covers and swung her legs out to the high-heeled skippers she'd left beside the bed, Arte came awake in an instant and sat up. A sneer crossed her face as she saw the skimpy nightie that Candy had and said, "What were you dressing for? Did your party leave be- fore I got here?”

--

Candy couldn't answer that. She took the flimsy nightgown she'd left at the end of the bed a long white, filmy negligee that was frilled at the neck, sleeves, down the front and around her ankles. She fastened the ribbony belt and went into the bathroom.

When she returned, her hair combed and fluffed out in tight blonde curls, her makeup in place, including false eyelashes, she found Artemisia examining her newly bought lingerie. “If there's anything you'd like....." Candy began brightly, but the dark girl whirled around from the drawer, slamming it shut and trapping a dark pair of panties in the process.

"There's nothing of yours I'd want!" snapped Artemisia, stalking off to bathe also. "Oh," she stopped. "My uncle sent a message. He wants you to breakfast with him in the Royalty Room." She slammed the door to the bathroom after her, which made re-dressing in his soft lingerie much easier for Candy.

The double knit dress Candy wore for breakfast has a loose, knee-length skirt but it clung to her figure everywhere above the waist. Jack Buck jumped up from his table to greet her in the same affectionate way that Lou Bassaglia had in public. Buck's arm went about Candy's waist as he escorted her to a place beside him.

Throughout the long, drawnout meal, Buck was lighthearted and almost cheerful. The arrival of a tall, gaunt, white-haired man didn't seem to make any difference to his manner. "Come on in, Frank," he said expansively. "Come and have breakfast with Candy and me.”

Franklin Curtis scowled at the heavily madeup and scented blonde. He couldn't see what Jack Buck would want with Lou's mistress, though she was pretty. "I've got bad news," said Curtis roughly. "I came over to talk to you specially." He stared poin- ted ly at the girl.

Buck leaned forward and ran his hand up Candy's thigh, appreciating the fact that she wore a garter belt and stockings. "Candy," he said gruffly, "Go powder your nose -- or some- thing.

Candy rose gracefully and swished away to the Ladies Room at the far end of the bar. Buck growled lustily to Curtis as she walked away.

-64-