The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-06-17
G-GUMARR

as | think I've mentioned before,
he'll call in the money the day
YOU graduate in case you change
your mind"
Coral did not reply, and HOyt
volunteered nothing further. She
was surprised that Hoyt drove
cautiously on has way back to
town, and for all her scorn of
him she was grateful. 1t gave
her time to think, TO plan what
to say 20 him when midnight came
and he demanded his answer.
With all her forces of cOncentra-
ton she attempted to solve the
problem logically. to look at the
situation, her inner eyes I'M
clouded by prejudice or fear. But
even logic did not seem to help.
YEARLY she shufflcd the prob
lem around in her mind. There
is no answer" she told herself.
There are two courses open to
me. and | can take neither
Which obligation was the greater,
that to her parents, or that TO her.
self and David? Whose happiness
was most important? Her con-
science drove her toward her par
ents' claim, but her heart begged
for the happiness which she and
David saw before them. Yet,
wincing at the thought, she was
, forced to recognize the fact that
at the moment, David did not
seem to want her ever again, did
not seem to care what happened
to their love and marriage.
If it was true, thought she
could not believe it, that he no
longer cared for her, then she
would marry Hoyt willingly. With
out David there could be no other
love, so what did the rest of her
life matter? But David did love
her. She knew it. He would not
stay away for ever. As the car
stopped before the entrance to
the gymnasium Coral formed the
one plan which had arisen from
her thoughts. She must see David
before midnight, when Hoyt eX-
pected his answer. She must see
him, find out where she stood,
how he really felt toward her.
For the moment her worries left
her. David would know what to
do. He would help her.
Hoyt got out of the car, came
around to help her alghc. He
looked at her mockingly. "Have
you made your decision" he
asked. He looked at his watch.
Its 1890. Just 80 minutes more.
An hour and a half. Do you think
you'll know the answer them"
His voice was jocular, but his eyes
were hard, the lines around his
mouth cruel and set.
Coral lifted her chin, her eyes
flashing. you're very sure of
yourself, aren't you? Would it
surprise you if answered in my
favor instead Of yours? Suppose
you think about that for the next
90 minutes" She laughted, a
laugh brittle with anger. 1.-TWO
great minds with but a single
thought, Mr.. Marquis. There's
something almost romantic about
that, don't you Think" She walk
ed proudly into the building
ahead of him.
She was a little surprised when
she found Hoyt waiting for her
outside the cloakroom. She had
half expected him to leave after
her outburst. They walked to-
gether into the ballroom, passed
down the receiving line and be-
gan to dance. She replied auto
matically to the greetings of her
friends, her eyes seeking David.
What if he had not come to the
Prom after all? She saw Jimmy
Bayliss, Donna's escort for the
evening, dance with someone
else. Donna was dancing with Jay
Saunders. Then her heart skipped
Il beat. AS she and Hoyt danced
near the stagline she saw David
standing there. HIS was at the
dance and alone! Frantically she
tried to catch his eye, but he did
not sec her, deliberately it SEEM
ed. Why, why, did he &C this
way?
Then she felt hot flush rising
over her face as she saw David
step out from the stagline and
walk across the floor, not toward
her us she had at first imagined,
but toward Donna. He smiled at
her, spoke to her partner and
drifted across the floor with Don
ma in his arms. CoraIs eyes Stung
with sudden hot tears. Why must
he dance and laugh and talk and
obviously enjoy himself with Don
ma of all people? And Donna was
playing up to him, and smiling
triumphantly at Coral over his
shoulder!
Coral had been so busy watch
ing David and Donna that she had
not noticed that Hoyt was guild
ing her into a dim, nearly de-
serted corner of the dance floor.
His arm held her closely to him,
his hot cheek rested against hers.
/ As she tried to draw away he
strengthened his clasp and spoke
into her car, his voice sultry with
passion. Coral, why don't you be
nice to me? Pm crazy about you
and you know it. Give me kiss,
honey"
She must not let him see she
was angry and David was
watching them. For the first time
in many days his eyes were foe
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