Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-03-04
CHAPTER KILN
A Kiss i'm the Dark

a T the theater they all filed into a stage
n box fifteen minutes after the curtain
had risen. There a buzz of whis-
pering punctuated ~ staccato laughs from
the girls, and Immediately eyes were leveled
at the box and an indignant murmur arose
from those in the audience who wanted to
hear what was going on on the stage.
Since Calls arrival in New York she had
never once arrived at the theater on time.
Her protests against this had been met with
light laughter from the others. What diff
ference does 1t make? You're sure to get
the hang of the thing before the first act is
over, and who wants to eat early enough to
get to the theater before the first curtain?"
These and other remarks from sundry
members Of the crowd had always silenced
Gail, but each time she reached the theater
late she dreaded the noise and confusion of
their arrival. 1t was unfair to spoil the pleas
ure of others, and yet these gay and thought
less young people apparently never thought
OF that
Finally they were all settled, Gail toward
the front of the box, Arch slightly behind
her, and Fay next to him. The confusion
had died down, but Gracia was still whisper
ing to her escort and Arch was murmuring
something in an undertone to Fay.
Gail tried to forget the rest by giving her
attention to the play. By concentrating it
wasn't hard to gather what had happened
before their arrival, but somehow she could
not lose herself; the memory of Marjorie
MacDonald's contemptuous little smile kept
recurring to her. and Jeffry, what of him?
Had Marjorie told him the truth, and had it
disguised him so that he never wanted to
see her again?
Absorbed in her thoughts, Gail watched
the stage with unseeing eyes, and then sud-
denly She became conscious of the fact that
Arch was moving his chair back from hers
and nearer to Fay. Gail tried to keep her
oUn II p6 in thor hut ir1e 70
of herself she kept turning back. She was
fascinated at Arch's slyness, the caution with
which he was accomplishing his purpose.
And then out of the corner of her eyes she
saw him reach out his hand and close his
fingers over Fay's bare arm. Fay did not
repulse him; instead, she moved in her chair
so as to bring herself nearer. When the
curtain finally descended on the first act anc
storm of applause broke from the audience,
Gail, turning her head, saw Fay and Arch
start back from each other, but not soon
enough In that moment Gail had seen their
lips meet, and Fay sat now with triumph
ant look in her narrowed green eyes, while
Arch looked slightly uncomfortable.
Calls lips curved in sneer, and Arch,
fearful that she had seen, leaned forward
and began to talk to her. She answered in
monosyllables, making effort to respond
to him, and it was with feeling of relief
that she turned to the stage as the curtain
rose on the second act.
The play dragged along intermina bly, Gail
thought it would never end and at last it
was over, Arch, ignoring Fay, grasped Calls
arm and led her out of the box and along the
corridor to the lobby. In the car on the way
to one of the supper clubs he slipped his
arm around Gail and drew her roughly up
to him.
'See here, what's the matter with you to-
night, anyway" he growled. Jealous be-
cause T Maid little attention tn EaV MOrri-
son? Well you deserved it. A fellow likes
to be amused and you've been anything but
cheerful companion, you'll admit that now,
won't you?"
Did you enjoy kissing herr" The words
were out before Gail aware that she was
speaking them, and she was suddenly furi-
Gus at her lack of self-control. Arch would
think she was Jealous when the feeling up
permost in her heart was contempt
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