The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-11-25

every month CT 70 - sometimes longer, They wouldn't think his absence unusual, but # I call them they might get worried"
 Julia pated Amy's shoulder. wed betted run along to bed, darling. I'm sure Royal Nesbitt is all right"
 AS she undressed for bed, Julia's thoughts were troubled indeed. What were Any's feelings toward Nesbitt2 Was she in love with him = or was 1t, as Amy had oftenl insisted, just Q friendshipe Tn either event, Julia felt guilty, as if she were e conspirator in some dark plot against Nesbitt and was hiding 1t from Amy. Why did she feel like this2 Was it only because she had kept from Amy the news that Nesbitt had been aboard Or--an ugly and disturbing thought Woodfords yacht with Cintra Lee2 flashed across Julia's mind--waS 1t because she sensed subconsciously that somethoing had really happend to Royal Nesbitt?
 I'm seeing things at night" Ju- lia tried to tell herself. There was nothing unusual in Nesbitt wanting to get back to town ahead of the yacht. But where is he now?" A comforting thought came to her. Perhaps the doctor who treated Nesbitt's shoulder had ad. vised him to 90 out of town for Q rest to recuperate properly. Maybe the wound had been Q bit more serious than they had believed.
 Nevertheless, Julia's sleep was troubled that night.
 Payson came to Tony Latta's gambling ship several times after his meeting with Julia there. But he did not offer to take her home again, for each time he had with him two or three young men. He in- troduced them to Julia, seemed proud of knowing her, and when his friends danced with her they all spoke lightly of how much Tom raved about "the girl who sang at Tony Latta's."
 Yet beneath their gay camard- erie Julia sensed that none of them considered 1t quite possible that Tom Payson would ever become se- riously involved with her. It was as If she were one of Q dozen girls who sang"-or danced, or checked hats, or did one of Q thousand things--in young Payson's life.
 But Q few weeks after their first meeting on the gambling ship, Pay son appeared again, alone. Imme. diately after Julia's first number he sought her out and asked her to his table.
 I'm frightfully sorry I've neg lected you so" he told her. "Al- though I don't suppose you've rlo- ticed 1t. Lately when I've been here I've had some of the boys along"
 Julia laughed. They've been at- tentive,'" she said. T begin to sus- pect you brought them along to entertain me while you were in the gambling rooms
 They've been too atentive, ju. lia. That's why I didn't bring them along tonight" He studied her Q moment. T want to talk to you seriously, Julia.'
 Her eyes widened. "seriously7"
 "Yes, want you to get out Of here. 1 don't like the idea of your singing on Q gambling ship"
 "Well It's not what I'd have chosen, I'll admit. But, she smiled. "1ts been very respectable 50 far"
 II don't doubt that" payson told her. And that's only because you are respectable, Julia. But just the same there's a stigma attached to q gambling ship, and I don't think | its good for either you or your career"
 She spread her hands open. | What can I do about it?"
 That's what 1 want to talk with you about. Ever hear of Smith | Garland2" Julia smiled ironically. Indeed yes. That was why was on the Wod Nymph-to meet Smith Car land. Only he wasn't aboardl"
 T know him pretty we'll" Pay son told her. T was thinking"
 You were thinking what2"
 
 Payson shrugged. Well, I've an idea, Julia. won't tell you any more about it right now, because it | might not pan out" You're 0 brute" Julia laughed. | "I'll be burning with curiousity un- til I find out She strengthened | suddenly. "It's about time for an- other number. I'll have to leave | you" Are you going ashore in an hour or SOP"
 Julia looked at the little clock above the orchestra, and nodded.
 "I'll meet you in an hour" Pay.