New Britain herald., 1929-11-09
\ CORNER TABLE.


 l Cora Maidstone.
 | Chapter SC
 \ CORNER TABLE One particular night. about 10 | days after her dismissal Of Hen derson, Barbara found herself alone in her apartment. She had been feeling very blue since dinner, lying on the couch. books and magazines 1 in great array around her, but there wasn't one on which she | found herself able to concentrate. Perhaps this was because the in evitable love theme mada her at the same time both wistful and angry.
 It's all absurd,' she cried aloud ir resentment as she came to the end of one story. Stupid, clap trap fiction. written so as to throw a rose hue over life that doesn't exist. Men faithful - blah. They can't remain true to one woman, once she's out of their sight, for 10 minutes"
 A clock struck ten. She stretched . herself laziy. Hours before she need go to bed. Anyhow, she was sleeping badly and the prospect Of l long. weary hours of Wakefulness appalled, her, Gradually, as she lay l there. she became conscious Of strong desire 10 sec Ray again, just 1 to sec him, if only for a few min utcs,
 She didn't quite know when the | idea of going 10 the Golden Dollar | club came into her head. but. once it had. it took a firm ho1 Sf her. | Why shouldn't she go2 The club was open to the public and, this | being Monday night it was unlikely 1 that she would run across any Of her set. Anyhow, just 10 drop in | for a few minutes could do no pos sible harm. She wanted to see Ray desperately.
 Of course, she wasn't weakening 1 in her decision to divorce him. 1 That Henderson had been discred- 1 tied in her eyes made no apprecia- 1 ble difference. She had seen Ray l in the girls apartment at an hour when the inference she drew was l the natural one.
 In no time Barbara found her 1 self sitting tense and straight in q i taXicab. rattling down Fifth ave 1 nue towards the Golden Dollar club | Their progress was slow. To Bar bara, afever with impatience to be there now that she had definitely decided upon going, it seemed that every obstacle possible c,opped up to hamper their speed.
 Perhaps she was afraid that 1 should they finger she would lose her nerve. That she might, seemed fairly evident, for, when finally the i brilliant, twinkling sign of the Golden Dollar club blinked at her ! from across the street, she made 1 the driver go round the book once 1 more before she had sufficient cour- age to pay him and run across the ! pavement into the archcd doorway. ; . Down the steps she ran, quickly, breathlessly, colliding with the | manager, a distinguished, sauve- looking man who might have graced the diplomatic service had there not been more money in night clubs
 You have table reserved? 2" he inquired dcferentially.
 Barbara shook her head. She was beginning to feel slightly foolish under his polite scrutiny.
 No" said Barbara. Then, with a show of impatience. T want q sIngle table. as secluded as possi- ble"
 Afterwards she congratulated herself upon carrying it eff with Q very high hand.
 A perceptible second longer his glance fingered upon her, taking in the rich ermine-lined opera cloak, the beaded sapphire gown that showed beneath it. the several fine, inconspicuous rings that adorned her white hands
 Certainly. Come this way. madam"
 He seated her in a little booth near the door, from where she was able to see much without herself being seen. By craning her neck a little around the side, she had a clear view of the orchestra, the gay and impudent clowns Of jazz known as the Golden Symphony Eight. few seconds it was before she could bring herself to look directly ] 1f alt l., tinguished towering. as he did, above the other members in the band. At sight of him she felt a queer, sick feeling inside her. She had to blink very hard to keep the tears out of her eyes.
 The waiter, swarthy, handsome youth from sunny Italy, was speak | ing as he presented the menu.
 Madam, she expect some one ?"
 'No-no."
 Looking up, she saw, or thought she saw, a look of pity pass over the walters face. Then she laughed silently and mirthlessly at herself. It must seem little strange to see a girl of her type come alone to such, a club.
 She ordered lobster salad. When the waiter had gore she sat staring fixedly at the table. One moment she wanted immediately to leave the club and never. never set foot in it again. The next, to rush towards the orchestra and force Ray to notice her-just az she had forced him to notice her that first night on board the Nendeua. She fidgeted with a knife, spinning it around in circles, dropping it fi-