The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1937-05-14
Sandy Uses .
Thoroughly
Baby-Like Way
to Bring Two
He arts Together

uTT WOULD take galvanic vitality
TO keep up with Washington and
Ed Stafford Marcia thought as she
advanced slowly In line at the Demar-
ests' reception She ached all over.
Her feet had been trod upon that after
noon at tea-dance; her ribs ached
from elbows ramming her at the Egyp-
tian legations celebration; her tumny
ached from the Bourgouignonne entree
at the Lloyds dinner, and her heart
ached because last night Ed Stafford
had taken her In his arms, had kissed
her and she had said she would marry
him Not loving him Not even quite
liking him.
Marcia glanced at the tall, dark Ed
hoyering behind her: Ed, one OF the
big patronage men In Washington. She
had met him In the Autumn at Fort
Myer Drill when her mother had come
streaking across the crowded gallery
with him in TOW and had presented him
with an air of Offering rare diamond
She had said: Marcia, darling--this
-is Captain Stafford Each pause
pregnant with meaning. They had said
Marcia, get him He's rich. Remember
the beating Dad took IN the crash
Obediently, Marcia had flashed her
blue eyes. had smiled, dangerously
Southern Then Mothers little bird
Ike face had turned on Ed, and her
robins breast had finttered. Ed was
beaming. Ed was going to be a push
over
Ed had been pushover Almost too
easy From the beginning he had sent
flowers candy. He had taken her to
cocktail lounges, the theatre, The movies.
Then, finally, he had introduced her
to his friends The Right People
Ambassadors. Ministers. Senators, high
Government officials rich cage-dwellers.
At first it had been vastly exciting
for the little Kentucky girl Who had
come to Washington with her ambitious
mother and her job-seeking father She
almost forgot it was Ed who was taking
her about. that it vas Ed who was
pulling strings to land her father the
Federal Judgeship, that 1t was Ed her
she remembered at last she felt lonely
IN the crowds that had once thrilled
her Desperately lonely
And she began to wonder just why
she was trying to marry Ed she didn't
love him. His money? Well-maybe
But. most Of all. she thought, it was
obedience No daughter in the history
OF the family ever disobeyed in the
matter OF marrying Grace hadn't dis
obeyed when Mother had come streak
ing to her with Tony Lee, the wealthy
Virginian. GBenn hadn't disobeyed
when Mother had nliraculously found a
title for her OF course, Grace and GWenn
weren't happy but Grace had married
money and Gwenn was a Countess
and Mother said. Nov Marcia, If / can
just get you married to Ed Stafford, I'll
feel that my work in this world will be
DONE
GUDDENLY Marcia felt chilly Even
the admiral's welcoming hand failed
to warm the frost that had settled on
her heart. Then Ed was sweeping her
into the ballroom. And, finally, she was
alone in the lofty solarium. hardly know
Ing Why. except that Ed had claimed
the wife Of an important attache for a
dance. The important attache. being
not so diplomatic, had led an Ambassa~
dor's wife out onto the floor. And Mar
ola, in her white with her cornfiower
eyes and her tip-tilted nose and her
golden curls. had been overlooked.
Marcia gazed absently at a palm
Admiral Denarest had found on Far
Eastern station. She stood there then
fighting a nostalgia for Kentucky: for
Nanny, who called her honey chile
and told her "doan you be no jelly-fish
lax dat Grace and Gwenny. Effen you
falls in lub, honey chile. grab yo man
Doan marry no white trash fer money
Doan marry no furriner.'
Some one was beside Marcia now
Some one said IN a husky voice. You
must be botanist. You've been staring
at that palm for ten minutes"
Marcia locked quickly around. He,
thick dark lashes winked excitedly He,
thump.
The blond young man was tall anc
lean, his features alive and sensitive
His was a bronze that comes of followins
the sun or from healthy forbears
Marcia looked at the expensive but worr
dress suit. She discredited the sun. r
took money to follow the sun Sh,
thought, Ed would call him vast,
of time For Ed chose his friends no
because he was drawn to them by hi!
neart but because they were rich, pow
erful. human steps in the ladder Of sue
cess
The young man went on grinnine
And what about dancingq I'm n,
Astaire. But get around"
Marcia said gayly: so see BIZ
her mind cried out Careful. Marcia