Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1925-08-28
CHAPTER CONTINUED


thing to drink. His eyes were heavy
now. his voice little thick. He had
been drinking more than Jerry real
lied, for she, having barely moistened
her lips with the potent liquor. was
still alert with the glamor of youth,
and excitement, and romance, her nat
ural brilliance only slightly famed, not
feverishly inflamed, by the seductive
drink. Duane filled the small glass
for her again, but as she put out
reluctant, unrefusing hand to take II
from him, he withdrew 1t suddenly
and placed both bottle and glass on
the table behind him.
GERRY" he whispered, his low voice
a little strained, you beautiful thing T.
Irresistibly stirred by her beauty,
emboldened by the extent of his drink
Ing, his hand audaciously left her fin
gers. crept toward her shoulder, press
ing in suddenly upon the soft flesh
beneath her arm where the flame
colored gown dropped away. And
then, with increasing eagerness, he
bent over her and pressed his hot lips
upon the tender softness of her slender
throat, and again. before she could
move to repel him, upon her innocent
and trusting lips Jerry lay limp in
his arms for moment, and then went
suddenly rigid, tearing herself away
as though he had struck her.
Humiliation. mingled rage and scorn
blazed In her bitter and disillusioned
eyes.
"Oh, that" she cried, her voice,
though harsh with the pain of her
accusation. still carefully controlled
that none in the room outside might
hear, ''Thatl It's all you think Of
any of you It's"
A wave of shame, disappointment
swept over her. Tears came to her
eyes. "And l thought was eool
enough TO think"
''Wh-what did you th-thinkY" he
asked encouragingly, rather pleased
than otherwise by the initial denial
which would give her final yielding
only greater charm. "Wh-what did
you th-think, you beautiful thingT
81 thought II was falling in love
like Prudence" She confessed hum
bly,, crushed by the completeness of
her establishment.
His infatuation famed by the frank
ness of her admission, he reached out
a hand to her again, a hand that
trembled little.
Lover he repeated. 1T is love
This is what love is"
Don't touch me, you horrible"
Words failed TO express the extent of
her scorn. NThere's no such thing i
was fool to have expected It,"
He was surprised that she waited
for no further argument, but whirled
about, an outraged. lovely figure in
the seductive flame-colored gown. and
ran from the room. At the door.
though, she paused, turned back. He
had reached for the glass upon the
table. had 1t within his grasp.
She spoke TO herself, not to him
"And to think l was looking forward
TO II all my life-sure OF it-and
now"
"Sure of wh-what? Expected WI
what?" He delayed TO take the glass.
THAT II would come TO me the way
ii came to-Prudence."
Then she went out. Duane waited a
moment She did not come back. He
filled his glass and drained 1t. Then
he Strengthened his collar. unsteadily,
and went into the studio TO find her
She was not there, He wandered about
the room, aimlessly for a while, wait
ing for her. She did not come He
crossed TO where RhOda. Indifferent.
mlsty-eyed, sat with Carter Blake in
the window seat.
"Where Is sher' he asked. "Your
little friend from Iowag"
Rhoda lifted her head drowsIly from
Carriers shoulder. Went home" she
said. and her head dropped again.
"She said she had headache or
something" Carter explained. Got
her cloak and went out like a flash
Korzkys gone down TO put her in a
taxi"
Duane was irritated. The little
GUTTER And after the way she had
encouraged him all evening. He held
Il manifest unfairness to end game
so pleasant in such silly, childish
manner. He went out and down the
stairs, hoping to overtake her. On the
second landing he met Korzky COM
ing up.
HAS she gomez was going to take
her home" he explained lamely.
"Sald she was feeling rotten" Korz-
Ky told him. Il fancy she was requir.
ing a shock absorber for her morals.
They don't abandon their conscience
stays In such hurry. these Middle
westerners Take them of one at a
time. you might say Beautiful thing.
though. isn't shef
CHAPTER III