The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-01

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the club"
Payson,s jaw dropped and his
eyes searched Julia's face. who
told you that?"
II happened to overhear It," she
told him quietly. Some Of your
friends at one Of the tables out
there"
Tom Payson grinned amiably.
It'd like to know how they found
1t out. I was hoping to keep 1t a
secret"
But his casualness failed to i'm
press Julia; and Garland, his face
still crimson, blurted out that he
had to get out on the floor ito see
how things are going" When the
door closed behind him, Payson
turned to Julia.
II gather that Garland was max
ing love to you" She did not an
swer, and he went on: "Are you
in love with him, Julia?"
mo :"
He was silent a moment, then
walked over and took her hands,
drew Julia to her feet. why so
sad, darling? Why why, this
ought to be the happiest night in
your life!"
1T was" Julia said, until I
walked by that table,"
What do you care what pepole
say?"
She shook her head, withdrew
her hands from his. TITS not that,
Tom. But I felt I was making good
on my own. Now I discover that
1t was your money that gave me
my chance - 1t was your money
that built me up as Nadine White.
provided even the setting"
1T had to be somebody's money.
These things don't just happen. II
Garland had been stronger finan-
cially he'd have done the whole
thing himself. And anyhow" he
added, ut was you and Garland
who did everything. The money
was the small part, after all"
He walked to the door. "I'll wait
outside until you've changed. Then
I want you to join me. There are
some friends of mine who want to
meet you"
Julia hesitated. I'm afraid 1
can't, Tom. Amy Sanders Is out
there with a friend OF hers, and"
Then they can join us, too. I'll
give you just five minutes"
There was no argument against
Toms winning Smile. AS she
changed from her white gown into
a stunning plain back she re-
viewed in her mind what Garland
and Payson had said. Perhaps,
after all, 1t made no difference that
1t was Payson's money which had
created an opportunity for her. And
yet
Doesn't any success come" she
asked herself, without compro-
misses and obligations?" She thought
of the small, dark girl sitting out
there beside Peter Kemp. What was
her ambition? Perhaps to be the
wife of Peter Kemp, to keep his
home, and bear his children. That
would be her simple success; and 1t
would carry only the obligation of
being a good wife. Nothing more
than that.
Nervously Julia took up a cigaret
lighted 1t, and inhaled deeply-as
If the smoke night somehow purge
her mind Of disturbing thoughts.
Then, after final glance in the
mirror, she left the dressing room
and faced Tom Payson with a brave
smile.
Three minutesw she laughed.
When they reached the big main
room Of the club Julia was recog-
nized at once, and wave of ap-
plauSe spread quickly. Hurry"
she whispered to Payson, "let's sit
down" But just then the operator
of the spotlights, relentless and
alert, shot down glare which
made hiding an impossibility. He
followed PaySon and Julia with the
bright beam until they reached the
table which was Payson's destina-
| ton.
AS the light switched off, Julia
recognized with a start that 1t was
the same table from which she'd
heard the snatch of conversation.
She did not know which were the
two women who had unwittingly
informed her-but she noticed with
, sinking heart that all the women
i at the table were regarding her
with frank and open interest.
Toms introductions were swift and
easy, but she was relieved when
he had finished.
"Nown he caid am f3pd A,,ov
and her friend If you'll excuse me-"
In Toms absence a smooth dark
girl slid into his chair. I'm
Thesera Davis" she said. I'VE met
each other in that group introduce
ton Tom staged but one can't
count those. You were very good
tonight"