Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1936-08-07
CHAPTER l

ment, like poison, raced through his
veins.
He watched Bennington and Judith
Whalen, circling gracefully among the
dancers on the floor of the Strangers
Club. And he tried, unsuccessfully
to find reason for this sudden ami
mostly toward Bennington. Why did
he hate the man? Why, when Ben
nington had come to their table and
asked Judith for a dance, had he al
most insulted him?
Hawley could not take his eyes from
the two. They danced well together,
a little too we'll. They were almost
STACEY in their perfection, their rhyth-
mic grace, their knowledge of steps
that were strange to the navy man.
The dance ended and the couples
drifted back to their tables. Hawley
rose as Bennington and Judith came
up. With an attempt at graciousness
he asked:
won't you have drink with us,
Benz"
Thanks, Phil. Haven't time. My
party is going over to the Palais Roy
ale," Bennington said. Thanks for
the dance, Miss Whalen. See you all
later"
Hawley watched him stride across
the floor toward the stairway. He
thought: $50 his party is showing off.
Odd. / didn't know he was with a
party. Thought he was pretty much
the lone WOLF"
''You don't like him, do you?" judi
it'll asked as she sat down.
Frankly, l don't"
"Why?"
Hawley shrugged. "I'm sure 1
can't tell you. There's something a.
bout him that rubs me the wrong
way"
Judith's eyes were on the stairway
where Bennington had disappeared.
where and what" she asked, "is
the Palais Royale?"
cts cabaret down in Bolivar ST."
"Why has no one taken me there?
I've been in Colon two months and I
thought I'd seen everything there was
to see."
cts the sort of cabaret" Hawley
replied, chat isn't frequented by navy
officers. Not lat least, with their
ladies. And certainly not with the
daughter of the commandment. Would
you like drink"
Eyes. A rum punch, please"
The drinks had arrived when Les
Kennedy strolled up to the table.
'Lo, Phil. Hare yuh?"
"Fine, Les" Hawley rose and pres
ented him to Miss Whalen.
Kennedy. He'd have fallen had he
not caught hold of chair. He looked
very drunk. All but his eyes. His
pale blue eyes were sober.
He stared at Judith Whalen He
stared boorishly for long time. Then
ne smiled twisted smile and said:
mot Captain Whalen's daughter 2"
Hawley nodded quickly, cursing his
luck for knowing Les Kennedy, ours
ing him for his discourtesy. eyes,"
he said, "she's been down here for a
couple of months"
"Well," said Kennedy. Captain
Whalen's daughter! 1t is a pleasure
to meet you. You see, your father
and l used to be very good friends.
In fact, was his aide for four years
when we were in the Asiatic. l came
with him to Panama when he took
command of the naval air station.
Yes, l knew your father very we'll.
you'll note the past tense Miss Whal-
EN-"
Judith looked away, ignoring alike
his words and his boorish stare. Ken
nedy watched her for a moment in
silence. Then he shrugged his thin
shoulders and turned to Hawley. His
voice was knife-edged, impelling.
Listen, Phil" he rasped. 81 want
to talk to you. Will you drop down
to the bar when you have a minute
free?"
Hawley stared at him with narrow
ed eyes. Kennedy didn't seem at all
drunk now. eyes, Les. Yes, sure
ly!" Anything to get rid of the man.
Kennedy walked off, picking his un-
certain way among the tables toward
the stairway that led to the bar on
the floor below.
"Who," Judith asked coldly, sis Mr..
Kennedy?"
He used to be two-striper. Served
with your father for six or seven
years. A few months ago he got in
frO11hlo No nnod 70 90 ;,,4l H. 49,.