The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-08-27
SYNOPSIS

0OOtS IS put tn an emD0rrdSS1nS
 situation by HARDY WHIT
 MORE, one of Sylvia's guests,
 who had been drinking. Sylvia
 maiiciOuSly cOntriVes to force
 Boots resignation from the Jun
 iors. Humiliated, Boots with
 draws from the crowd. She goes
 about with RUSS LUND. the
 swimming instructor. Russ falls
 in love with her and announces
 he's going away. He begs Boots
 to elOpe with him and she asks
 for time to think 1t over.
 Mrs Raehurn returns from
 visit and Boots drcads having
 her mother hear about her res
 ignatiOn from the club.
 CHAPTER XIV
 Of course it was madness, Boots told herself as she slipped out of the half-wet bathing suit and ner- vouSly began to dress. Why, it was just a game they were playing, Girls and boys talked as she and Russ had all the time and it meant precisely nothing. Johnny had been shouting to Geraldine that very day on the raft. Be mine, darling. Be mi-yun. 1 cant live without you!" And everyone had simply screamed with laughter. It had been the most priceless com edy line.
 Yes, she and Russ Lund were just playing eat being in love. It didn't mean a thing. It was cXcit- ing, like being in a drama the Amateur Group of the Juniors might give.
 She laced her white sandals and ran comb through her unruly curls. The memory of Russ's grave, unsmiling face as he had said, "Tomorrow, stayed with her Nonsense. It was all nonsense and she was q fool ever to have let him say such things to her! Tonight mother would come home; everything would go back into its proper place, like the pieces of q jigsaw puzzle Russ would take the cattle boat or the fruit boat for Chile. She would have one letter from him-mayhe two. This time next year she might not even remember his name.
 'That's how serious it is," she said half-aloud to convince her self
 All through the evening, as she served jellicd soup and broiled chops and salad to her father, as she washed dishes and brushed up the kitchen floor with worn broom the thought stayed with her. 1t was not serious-She would not let it be. Tomorrow she would em- ploy just the right blend of gravity and humor in her farewells to the beach, club guard He would see, h. hot Sh woman of the world for all her IS years. She flushed at the mem ory of her scarlet cheeks and star ry oyes. "Why, he must think me a fcol!" she told herself indig- nantly. "He probably says that to some girl every place he goes and expects me to know that"
 In the furry of her mothers ar rival she almost forgot Russ. The dear, familiar thin face and spare uncashionable figure. The unpack- ing of the shabby bags-somehow the evening flew by.
 And how did she take care of you, Daddy?"
 Nfr Raeburn, florid. bald. good 10 years older than his wife, mutt tered that Barbara was fair enough a home again.
 She's been on the go the live long time," he muttered. shaking out his paper and settling down under the 'amber-shaded lamp. 'I never knew where she was after dinner"
 Mrs Raeburn beamcd That's nice, ducky. You've been having d good time"
 Inwardly Boots writhed at her mothers trust in her. Not, as she reminded herself, that she had done anything to be ashamed of. On the contrary. her journeyings with Russ had been of the most decorous natuyS. A ride in the sweet smelling lane choco- late soda at the Sweet Shop but would people believe that? A girl didn't usually spend so much time with one man unless the cur rent of their affairs ran more deeply and swiftly than that of a platonic friendship. But it had been platonic, Boots told herself sturdily. After that first impulsive kiss weeks ago Russ had not laid a finger upon her. The memory of that kiss stayed with her.
 What did you say. darling?" Her mother, strengthening a stopped back, lifting out a pile of underthings layered in tissue. pa per, looked at her fondly.
 Nothing" But the sound that had escaped her was almost a groan. Her carefully built up fab rio of common sense crumpled and shattered at the thought of Russs kiss If she answered him let t.,x txn would go away to Chile. She would never see him again
 Here, let me hang that up," she said at random, taking brown crepe frock from her mothers fin- gers. She fairly flew at the rest of the unpacking and Mrs Rae burn, who had been telling herself that the child was strange and si- lent and evidently had something on her mind, banished the idea and reflected that Barbara was growing up to be great help.
 Aunt Nedda wanted Boots 10 come and visit her in the autumn, Mrs Raeburn said, with quiet satis- faction.
 You'd like that. wouldn't you?"
 Inwardly Boots shivered. The |
 
 brownstone house near the Boston l Common made her shiver. And | where would Russ he by autumn? Making love to some beautiful | Spanish senorita in an embroidered | shawl? She could see herself, go- ing to the library to change books | for Aunt Nedda, going to sym phony concerts. with pale, drab. | decorous people all about them.
 No-no-never that!
 .I think I'll have job by fall" she said vaguely. "A job, darling," Her mother | smiled indulgently. What could | you do?" "Well, Mary Ollivant is helping out in a dress shop in New Martin | and she loves it. And some of the | other girls-Helen and Louise and | Sue-are going to take a business course.' .Rut. my dear" began her |