Montgomery County sentinel., 1928-02-17
Tacf's Second-Best
Girl
NNNNNNN u NNNNNNNNNNN,
By CLARISSA MACKIE
(Copyrlght.l

young people ut the Testers Dig
hotel, and the most prominent among
them was Alicia Boyd, who was usual
ly the center of any gathering.
Jack Forester was never very far
away from Alicia. When Jack could
not get Alicia to dance with him--or
to play tennis or golf--he might con-
sole himself with Della Berry, who,
while not as rich as Miss Boyd, was
much more beautiful.
Their gay companions began to
speak of Della Berry as Jacks Sec
ond-best girl" And this remark had
just been repeated to Della Berry,
when our story opens.
Della had turned her beautiful head
and stared very hard at Belle Cannon.
"Jusi what did you say, BELIEF" she
asked
"OnIy," repeated Belle In a pro-
voked tone, "only that some one has
said that you are Jack Forrester's
second-best girl 1t is, of course, just
joke, my dearl Please do not be
angry, Dellaw
Della smiled at her. at is so silly,
that l should not be offended, l sup
pose, Belle, but 1t is also lie, and
that, Of course, / abominate." She
bowed gayly and left her companion,
to come face to face with Alicia Boyd
and Jack Forester who were coming
up the veranda steps.
"Oh, Della" came Alicla's languld
voice, "do have pity on me and go to
the football game with Jack l have
already made an engagement-and
Jack is furiousl''
$50 sorry, Alicia" came Dellas
prompt answer, "but l have another
engagement" She smiled as she said
1t, determining to take her mother for
motor ride, IL necessary.
"You are out of luck, Jack" said the
surprised Alicia, with quick glance
at his frowning face. "Have you real
ly another date, Della?" she asked
pertly.
Just then came an Interruption
Philip Deloss, one of the newcomers,
a rather homely young man with a
keen clever face, spoke up.
"Really, Miss Boyd, Miss Berry is
going to the football game with me-
we're going to try out my new car,
aren't we, Miss Berry,"
"Yes," declared Della, with a tin
Killing laugh.
"Ah, the restaurant is open now
l am starved for luncheon" yawned
Alicia, and the group broke up, leav.
Ing Philip Deloss standing close to
Della
"Thls is awfully kind of you, Mr..
Deloss," murmured Della.
"Don't say thatl" he objected
Don't you believe l think l am lucky
If you will go with me-and | hope
you will pardon my nervel'
"You are freely pardoned," assured
Della, "and II you would really like to
have me go shall be delighted to go
to the game. On the spur of the mo.
ment | had made up an engagement
with my mother for a motor ride
but 1t was a lie just the same" she
sighed softly.
81 cannot bear Alicia Boyd" said
young Deloss coOlly. "She hasn't had
chance to turn me down, either"
Inside the restaurant, Alicia Boyd
was lunching with Jack Forester,
finding II rather boring to overcome
the young mans sullen mood.
"Funny about Della having an en-.
gagement," murmured Alicia. "She
usually keeps all of her time open for
you, Jack"
"You are kidding yourself, Alicia"
said Jack plainly. Della is one of
the prettlest girls here, and she could
have long string of them after her
If she wanted to-"
Alicia stared at him. Jack For
rester had never spoken like that be.
fore. Could 1t be possible that he
really did like Della Berry, Was he
Jealous? Alicia tried her best to bring
smile to her companions face.
"There Is Della with her mother, and
Phil DelOss" she said at last, and
then Jack Forresters face grew black
er than ever.
AS the car came slowly back from
lHt BdHlt, Dtllu lOuHu HtTbelI cuTlOuS-
~ interested by Philip Deloss' conver-
satlon. She wondered how she could
ever have bothered with Jack For
rester's trlvlallties.
After that ball gamc-there were
other expeditions, all Of which Della
and Philip enjoyed together, and every
day the liking grew stronger.
Toward the last of the season, Jack
Forester invited Della to walk with
him to the end Of the pier.
81 never see you nowadays, Della"
said Jack with panied smile. "You
are always with Phil"
ave do have some good times to.
gether," admitted Della.
you know Alicia Boyd is engaged
don't you" he asked.
"NO. had not heard
"To Dick Clayton-she turned me
down natp growled Jack.
81 am sorry, Jack" sympathlzed
Della. Better luck next time, |
hope" she smiled brilliantly
"And you, Dellal I don't suppose
that you would go TO the races with
me tomorrow he asked In shame.
faced way.
"Thank you, jack" she said de.
murely, "but I am going with Philip
you know-it is rather secret yet
that we are engaged2 Here he comes
now -
"Good nIghtp moaned Mr.. Forester
and vanished, leaving Della to meet
Philip with shining eyes ard a very
special smile.