Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-02-12

by her fiance, George Hartley. Shortly
atterWard, when the small-tOWn gossip
about her has become unbearable Calls
Aunt Debbie dies and leaves her $1,000.
Gail decides to take the money and leave
town. She goes to New York, deter
mined to broaden her life by meeting
city people. But at her first dinner
party she is disillusOned because she
does not come up to the standards of the
younger set. Gail recllessly decides to
initiate the other girls in order to be
pOpular-NOw go on with the story.
CHAPTER XXXIV
At the Already
THERE were ten of them who went
down to the Already shortly after II
o'clock that night Five fluffy, but
terfly types of girls, including Gail, and five
sleek, super-groomed men. With the excep-
ton of Gail the others were sensation seek
ers. The men were bored with life unless
it pretend a new thrill of some kind, while
the girls, young as they were, were disil-
lusioned. little hard, apt to be reckless and
to throw discretion to the winds.
The Already was a small supper club that
had lately opened its doors to a excitement
mad public 1t catered to sensation-seekers
at prices calculated to keep the easily shock.
ed away from its doors, and Gail gave a lit
tie gasp as she entered the long, low room
The place was lighted by electric bulbs
cIeverIy concealed behind grinning masks
The walls were covered with crude drawings
in imitation of the Russian and the tables
were so closely crowded together in order to
conserve space that there was no chance for
privacy.
The dance space in the center of the room
was small and consequently Oyercr6wded. The
air was thick with smoke, and to Calls in
experienced eyes there didn't seem to be a
vacant table anywhere. She found herself
following Arch Kennerley's tall figure across
the dance square just as the orchestra fin
ished a blatant fox trOt. A table appeared
as if by magic. The head waiter. his face
wreathed in smiles because Of the stable
tip Arch had slipped into his palm, was
drawing out the chairs, and then Arch was
divesting her OF her coat and had taken the
chair next to hers
"a cigarette, quick!" gasped Garcia, I'm
famshed for one"
Eyes, and something to drink" from the
girl called Kay. II must say Garcia, you
weren't any too generous at your dinner"
Gail caught her breath. She had never
heard of such unparalleled rudeness, but
Garcia seemed QUITE unruffled by the re-
mark and laughed with the others. q know
it. l begged mother to be human, but she
can't see things that way. l warned her
that we'd only go out afterward if she didn't
have enough, but [ couldn't make her loosen
up"
Arch Kennerley was talking in an under
tone to the waiter, and having given his di-
rections, he turned back to the others with
a grin
"Highballs first, and then some fizz wa
ter. how about it,"
His remark was greeted with cries of APP
prevail, and he turned to Gail under cover
of the general conversation.
"Champagne, you'll like that"
Calls heart sank. She had heard of cham
payne and it's effect, and she was vaguely
frightened. But having come so far she
could not turn back now. I'm thrilled be-
yond words she whispered, her eyes lifted
III n
me. [ haven't been in New York very long.
Do you know, I've never tasted champagne?"
Arch Kennerley grinned Approximately
He was enjoying himself. 1t gave him
feeling of importance to have this girl so
eagerly dependent upon him, and she was a
good little sport and quite willing to be in
itiated. What fun it would be to watch her
drink her first glass of champagne. Garcia
and Kay and the others were all right, but
old at the game. They knew all the tricks.
He was in for a new experience tonight in
sponsoring a novice, and he intended to en-
JOY it to the utmost.
Across the table Kay Sanford threw a
knowing little glance at Garcia, who nodded
and then leaned forward suddenly.
arch is getting new thrill in chaperon-
ing Miss NoNothing from Kankakee." She
spoke laughingly, but there was more than
little feeling behind the words. Arch Ken
nerley was the most eligible man present.
CHAPTER XXNV
A Guilty Conscience
TAIL, Sitting her conscience, had man
r aged to swallow more than half of
her glass of whisky and white rock She
felt pleasantly warm and eXhilarated, and
far more lenient toward every one at the
table. Their remarks seemed excrucatingly
funny, and instead of being shocked she was
laughing with them.
Food brought, creamed chicken in
chatting dishes, and Arch, pleasantly forti-
fled by two highballs, edged his chair closer
to Calls Just then the lights went out, and
a strong calcium was turned on from one
corner of the room.
"Millicent White and her Honolulu girls
whispered Arch, leaning close to Gail as he
spoke. She felt his lips against her cheek
and then down the room came the famous
Milicent White, petted darling Of the chorus
and the orchestra broke into a seductive
Hawaiian air
In the darkness Calls cheeks burned and
feeling of shame swept over her. The girl
wore her famous costume, which consisted
Of a short skirt made OF frond-ike strands
OF some material resembling straw, and a
tight ieweIed bodice. Her feet were bare
and around her ankles were bracelets that
ciinhed as she danced. The dance itself was
Understandable, but highly appreciated by the
audience, and when the Honolulu girls
danced into the spotlight and the dance came
to a frenzied finale, there was burst Of
wild applause.
During the dance Gall had sat absolutely
motionless. Arch kennerey was sitting so
close to her that she could feel his breath
on her neck. His arm was thrown around
the back of her chuir. and his fingers lightly
curessed her arm. Passionate revolt surged
up in her. shame at the spectacle she was
witnessing dyed her cheeks red and made
her breath come fast. Why was she here?
Was it for this that she had come to New
York? The memory o pair amused