The Coolidge examiner., 1937-07-01

Again he saw, breaking through the
anxiety which darkened Mr..
Vaughn's face that half grave. half
smiling expression. He look d
away. a curious feeling of elation
stirring in his heart.
Il tried not to believe that Jerry
might have taken the car" Cecily
went on. but the thought kept COM
ing back. even though I'd known he
was in bed before Macpherson and
l went to Chestertown that night.
And then yesterday at the wedding.
Jerry acted so strangely. He drank
quantities of champagne punch
which wasn't like him at all. Jerry
seldom drinks more than a cocktail
o. two. or a glass of wine. Taking
care Of himself is an obsession with
him. The punch exhilarated him TO
an unusual degree. He tried to per-
suade me to elope with him.
think. now. that's why he drank"
Did you consider the PROPOSE
| tAOli. WI. fddSlii dohCd, iOOhhA6
at her intently.
No" she said simply. 81 had
| given you my word. hadn't /. Fa-
ther? When we got home." she con-
tinued, II called the hospital. There
was something in Jeremy's face, as
he stood beside me. waiting for me
to get the connection. that con-
vinced me, a suddenly terrified ex-
preston. suppose all the punch
he'd taken had weakened his self
control. ! slept scarcely at all last
night. l knew"
You didn't accuse him?" Mr..
Vaughn asked. You didn't ques-
ton him even Indirectly"
~ was afraid" she said. II knew
that if he suspected that knew he
would run away. 1 wanted TO keep
him here until you came. Father.
l knew you could help him to get
out Of this with some degree of
decency. so that it needn't ruin his
chances for a career"
You expect me TO help him?"
Mr.. Vaughn asked in startled
amazement.
Don't bluster. darling" Cecily
said coaxingly. Let me do the
talking now. Dolly is apparently
going to get WE'LL" she continued
more gravely. There will be no
charge against Jerry other than
taking my car without permission
and driving too fast. He hadn't
even been drinking. She went TO
ride with him willingly. He told
me that he simply lost control Of
! the car in that narrow road. II you
will pay the girls hospital expenses
Il don't see why we can't get
Jerry out of this and let him join
the Cherry Hollow company as soon
as possible"
"Cecilyl" Mr.. Vaughn sa
despairingly. Are you still in love
with the boy?"
A look Of pain crossed her face.
There was pain in the depths of her
dark golden eyes.
II never want to see him again"
she said slowly. but do know that
/ want you to help him. want him
to have another chance"
Mr. Vaughn moved restlessly in
his chair. Il don't know what l
can do" he said. He doesn't de-
serve help or consideration.
Forget him." Cecily said. do
it for me-" She rose from her chair.
stood looking at her father. at jim.
The generosity of the victor to
the vanquished. 1t was a sporting
proposition having Jerry here for a
visit" A small crooked smile
touched her lips. Gentlemen. you
win
Where are you going?" Mr.
Vaughn asked as she took a step
toward the door
I'm gong 10 take two of Miss
Parker's sleeping tablets and go to
bed" she said. And when / wake
up tomorrow or the day following,
I'm going in to the city and buy
some new fall clothes. And then"
Her bravado seemed. for an instant,
on the point Of deserting her. She
lifted her chin and again the smile,
poignant in its gallantry. touched
her lips. And then." she contin-
ued, I'm going to Hawaii and learn
tc do hula or help Jim run the
riding academy or"
Her lips trembled. Tears glis-
tened on her lasheS. She went into
the house. almost running. Some
thing like sob broke the stiffness.
The door swung to with briefly re-
sounding slam. Cecily was gone.
These modern youngsters" Mr..
Vaughn said with a sort of rough
ness in his voice Bravery and
bravado." He cleared his throat.
Call Bradley for me, will you,
Jim? The generosity of the victor.
Well see what can be done"