The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-06-11
~ eUeeNlA MAcnsRNAN


and senior at Elton College.
DAVID ARMSTRONG, Elton
chemistry professor and CoraPs
husband.
DONNA ALLEN. CoraPs soror-
ity roommate.
HoYT MARQUIS, CoraPs one.
time fianee.
Yesterday: Donna learns about
CoraPS secret marriage an d
threatens to disclose il unless
Coral helps her in her classwork.
CHAPTER III
Coral twirled the stem of her
empty cocktail glass, glanced at
her wrist watch, and wished for
the twentieth time that Hoyt
would decide to 90 home. The
cocktail party had been given ut
the country club for the young
people home for spring vacation.
IL had been pleasant enough. She
had seen some of her friends for
the first time i'm several months.
Besides, it had proved an easy
way to satisfy both her parents
and Hoyt, who were all anghy at
the way she had avoided him dur
ing the week. Now, however. al
most everyone he'd left, it was
nearing dinner time, and they
should be off. How much longer
was Hoyt going To stand drin.in%
at the bar? II he kept on, he
wouldn't be able TO drive.
She got up from the couch on
which she had been sitting and
walked over TO the achway which
separated the main lounge Of the
club from the bar. Hoyt, his hair
rumpled, his face flushed, was en-
gagged in a chat with the barten-
der. "Hoyt." Coral said. Don't
YOU think it's time we started
back TO town.
Hoyt turned to look at her.
Huh? What's up. WhaSSamat-
ter" His head dropped, and with
u visible effort he Straightened it..
why. it's Coral, Did you get
lonesome. baby? Have a drink.
Bartender, A drink for Miss
Crandall. and one for yourself.
Drink to our wedding. Jack
What'll il be. beautiful
Coral flushed. IL don't want
anything. Hoyt. We must be get
ting home. It's almost dinner
time" She looked deprecatingly
at the bartender. "You mustn't
pay any attention to him. I'm
afraid he's not quite himself"
"Whaddya mean, I'm not my
self? Hoyt shouted. I'm per
rec.ly okay. III have to teach
YOU better manners after were
married" >,
Coral moved forward and took
him by the arm. Lets discuss
that on the way home. We really
must be going"
Az last, after more words, Hoyt
permitted her to lead him out
side. He climbed into the drivers
seat of the big sedan, mumbhng
to himself.
Wont you let me drive home,
HOyt?" Coral said, as he fun
bled with the keys. You're aw-
fully tired. Let me do the work
this time"
Hopt answered her. his words
carefully precise. "NOw, don't
you worry, little girl. You just
trust Hoyt. Hoyt will get you
home TO mama in plenty of time
for dinner. But don't you think
il would be nice if you gave me u
little kiss before we start?
Before she could protest, HoytS
arms were around her, his hos,
liquor-heavv breath in her face,
Desperately she twisted her head,
and his kiss, greedy and wet,
glanced her cheek. He trust her
away from him. so. That's how
YOU feel, is il? You think you're
too good to be kissed. You're get
ting a lot of high-hat ideas, Coral
Crandall. Just because a fellow
has q little drink and enjoys HIM
self, YOU act like a martyred
saint. Act any way you want TO-
| don't care. You can't get away
from me. Don't forget, the we'd
ding's in June. whether you like IT
or not. You're gonna walk right
out of Elton. into the church and
up the aisle with yours truly
Without another word, ne
started the car and reared out OF
the driveway onto the main road.
IL was Il Commute drive from
the country club into Wheatland
and CorapS home. and those min
utes extended themselves into ter
rifying hours as the car rushed
through the spring twilight. Hoyt
drove furiously, ignoring traffic
regulations and the rights of 9TH
er motorists. Cora'S frightened
ewes watched the Speedometer
rise as the powerful car lunged on
its way. Sixty. siXty-flve:
seventy-five, and up to eighty'
five. The car Swerved from one
side of the road to the other,
missing other cars by a hairs
breadth, hurting through intersec'
tions in the nick of time. At last
they drew up in front OF the
rambling, old-fashioned W te
house which was CoraPS home
With great clashing and grinding
the car skidded to a stop. Cora
nut her hand shakily on the steer
ING wheel. "Hoyt, you shouldn't
drive like that. It's miracle
thai we didn't kill some one oil
kill ourselves. You mustn't be
so reckless. I'm sorry if | made
you angry. When you feel bet
ter you may understand
Hoyt did not answer her, bu
sat siumped down behind the
wheel, his blood-shOt eyes hal
hidden under dropping lids. Hi: