Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-10-11
CHAPTER III

engagements are old-fashioned.
And I don't believe at your infantile
age you'd be so silly as to put your
pretty little neck into noose."
"Great heavens! How old d'you
think I am?"
"You look fifteen as you sit here.
But by a stretch Of the old magma
ton, you might be three years older
than that"
"Silly! Pm twenty-one."
$50? And free and white?"
"Not very free. work pretty hard
1 tell you. This is "a kind of red
letter night for me, you know"
care you referring to your revels
in the barn." He moved nearer her
on the bear-kin rug. Cor may I flat
ter myself that you're enjoying my
company"
Lucinda flushed to her ears, and
was angry at herself for flushing.
81 certainly feel at peace with all
the world just now. This beautiful
room-and the fire-and the CHEEKY
highball-and yeti admit-the COM
pany!"
Thanks TO rputting me last. I see
l must work to make an impression"
"Please DON'T" she said nervously,
with an uncertain little smile, for the
nearness of this handsome young man
was disturbing. est back, like nice
boy, and tell me how it came that you
were out so late this evening""
ooh, the usual Saturday night in
town. Dinner with another fellow.
And then show. A dull show. Most
shows are flops these days. And
then on the Mayfair Club. That's al
ways interesting"
Lucinda sat up, her eyes shining.
"You mean the Saturday night party
in the Ritz where the actors and &C
tresses and the movie people meet?
And you have to be member to get
in? Oh, tell me about it. My sister
and l have sometimes stood outside
on Saturday nights just to get a
glimpse of the stars. There are al
ways people on the sidewalk then.
Autograph hunters"
"But you aren't one Of them?" He
seemed family surprised.
Lucinda said: "Please tell me about
this fascinating night-club!"
The young man smiled at her eager
face Enthusiastic child! Could it be
possible that anyone so pretty and al
mring could be so unspoiled? Or was
she spoofing him?
ats held in the Crystal Room, and
quite pretty scene. There's the red
carpeted staircase going down, you
know, with banks of flowers on either
side. Offers grand stage-entry for
the actresses. They love it,"
"Only actresses can go there?" Her
face fell.
"No. The social lights crowd in
to stare at the theatrical crowd, and
vice-versa. You can't be a member
unless you're on the stage or screen.
But you can usually get in on the
acquaintance and pass of some actor
chap, or if you're with an actress. AS
. matter of fact, the secretaries are
very strict. It's almost necessary to
get in with a member"
"And what do you do when you do
get in?"
"The usual thing. Dancing. Grand
music. Buffet supper"
She added: "And flirting with the
stars, of course?" She forced her
self to inquire, for it seemed super
fluous with a rich and handsome boy
like this: "You know lots of them?"
Her wistful tone was not lost on
him.
"Well, everyone who knocks around
the town sooner or later meets most
people, don't they?" He added: "Look
here, I'll take you there one night.
You'll knock most of the so-called
beauties into cooked hat for looks.
Wouldst like to make the grand en-
trance with me fair Lucinda ?"
She beamed like little girl. Then
her face clouded.
"But I haven't got the clothes.
mean, they dress so magnificently."
Then her forehead smoothed out as
a thought came. "Maybe Bubbles
could sneak a dress out of Bergman
jays for me one night. We're the
-o.oo .;,o D,LbIoc xoodoIc +baro