Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-05-31


through West Avenue, finally around
and through Ludlow Lane to Anna
bel's-where he experienced net
loss of ten more points.
81 meant that" she reminded him
at the door. "You sulked all evening
and said perfectly awful things to
Sonny Winwood. I sure meant every
word. Two more times like this, and
you can consider our engagement
off"
"Can't I stay awhile after the 9th
ers go?" he demanded desperately.
"Can't I ever see you alone?"
"Alone? Why, you do see me alone
We can't just sit around and talk all
the time, can we? like fun, honey,
and people around. These nice boys
would be crazy about you, if you'd
give them half chance"
That night, correcting themes, he
was inclined to deduct points here
and there a bit more meticulously
than had been his wont in the past.
He was appalled, to see how sketchily
his classes were, on the whole, alb
sorbing psychology.
He found note next morning in
his mail. This time it was written
on pale pink stationery but the en-
velope bore the return address, mark
ed out, of fraternity house. This
detail enraged him so that he didn't
read the missive for half an hour.
1t said:
Bob dear:
I want you to see me every
day, because it isn't fair not to.
You know, about the points: we
must test it every day. And an
other thing-if even after we
are married, you should ever get
as many as fifty points, off, I
would leave you like shot. This
is final. Please don't get any
more black marks.
With much love, your
Annabelle.
He tore the letter into microscopic
pieces, considering, almost serious
ly, the possibility of chucking the
whole affair. No girl was worth this
sort of ordeal.
When he pushed open the Lord gate
that night, he did so acutely conscious
of the fact that he was down fifteen
points more in the little black book.
These had been entered against him
as the result of a telephone CONVEX
sation during the afternoon: Annabelle
had mentioned that they'd have the
evening to themselves except for the
brief call of Stewart Truesdale, the
first boy she had ever had a crush
on, who was driving over from Han
cock Landing with a party and want
ed to say hello. Bob lost his temper
and ought, really, to have forfeited
twenty points. She agreed, after he
had suffered the indignity of beg
cling for it, to rebate five points If
he'd come over and act like a gentle
man all evening. He had, now, only
five points to go.
Lightning-bugs went swinging over
the cool, shagily unkept lawn. He
stopped at the gate. He didn't want
to go in. He could see young shadows
moving across the porch lattice, and
he could hear the murmur of voices.
Mr.. Truesdale had arrived, and Anna
belle was entertaining his party.
He shook his head and turned back
into Ludlow Lane. He wasn't ready
to face the final blow-up yet. At the
same instant he thought of Celia.
He felt suddenly that if he could chat
with her awhile, the whole thing would
look less dire. He was lonely.
In the vestibule of her building he
recognized the curly head of Lonny
Winners, on the way out.
"Good evening, Professor Starr?"
Bob nodded, and peered at the row
of push-buttons to find Celia's bell.
He COUNT make out the name In
the uncertain light and he couldn't
find match. Suddenly match FLAIR
ed. Lonny was holding it.
"Thanks.'' Bob said. He was
aware that Lonny noted the namecard,
and he thought of explaining in some
offhand way that Celia was his cousin,
but that would sound silly. Why
should he make explanations to stud
ent about his calls?
Coming over to the house?" in
quired Lonny pleasantly.
"What house?"
"Why, Annabelle Lords, sir. I'm
on my way over to the party now.
Think she said she was expecting you"
Yryr - l. - e 4. Ill,