The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-23
CHAPTER XII

Joyce dressed with special care fol breakfast. At first she was tempted to take it in her room, and luncheon and dinner as well, for that mat ter. But she thought better of it She would go down to her meals as usual; she would enjoy every min- ute. Dick Hamilton would never know that it was within his power to hurt her!
 She found MT Gregory alone at the table, intent upon his bacon and eggs.
 You're up early" he remarked soberly. Have a pleasant even- ing?"
 "splendid" she lied enthusias- tically. And you?"
 T didn' go ashore. I've beer to Havana before, and there seemed only the usual things tc do. Some of the officers invited me to join poker game"
 T hope you won. Otherwise you might have done better at the Casino"
 Did you find it successful"
 Remarkably. But was just z stooge, playing with someone else's chips. Perhaps if it hac been my own money, l wouldn't have been so lucky"
 Just as they were finishing theil coffee, Dick appeared. And hang, ing to his arm, looking like 2 blue-eyed cherub who had never been out after nine o'clock, wa Isobel.
 Good morning, everybody" she greeted cheerfully.
 Good morning." Joyce matched her smile.
 She felt Dicks eyes upon her searchingly. Her throat was tight and dry.
 Have a good time last night?' he asked her deliberately.
 Her eyes darkened with sudder indignation as she looked up al him. The arrogance of him tc dare ask her that, after what he'd done!
 "A surprisingly good time!" she retorted defiantly.
 Isobel giggled. Not half as good as we did, I'll bet!'
 MT. Gregory was holding he1 coat, and as she slipped into it. Joyce communicated her most gracious smile to thank him Dicks eyes still studied her curiously. She tried to pass some light remark, to prove her non- chalance, but no words came to her lips. Her heart was beating in wild confusion, and she could feel the hot blood tinging hei cheeks. All she wanted was tt escape from the dining room be- fore everybody saw through hel discomfort. . Care to come ashore with me?' MT. Gregory suggested as they emerged on deck. You could hell me shop for perfumes"
 That would be lovely!" shf forced an enthusiasm she did not feel into her voice.
 The presumptuous concelt o1 him! Walking out on her, in a foreign gambling den, then ask ing her how she liked it! Laugh ing at her!
 Throughout the day she did her best to be nice to MT. Gregory. But it was an effort. Despite the mans courtesy and generosity, there was something vaguely repulsive about him. She could not explain 1t. mol even to herself. They lunched or the Plaza roof, and seated across the table from him. she decided sud- denly why she could not like him It was his eyes. Behind the thick glasses, there was something furtivt in their pale depths, something little cruel. One looked at MT. Greg gory and felt peculiarly uneasy, ane thought. against ones will, this mar is treacherouS.
 But Joyce put the thought aside quickly. She had no cause to fee that way. It was ridiculous tt analyze person so critically.
 How about driving out to th' beach at La Playa?" he suggested
 That would be fine. It's SC sticky and hot in the city!' Sh' forgot his eyes.
 She found Ia Playa surpriS ing contrast to the sWarming sum mer beaches she had known a home. This was more countrl club than public beach. II rented bathing suits, they ven tured into the surf, marveling tha the water could be so warm, since this was the same Atlantic Ocear that rolled against New York, ant the same month of March tha registered an average temperatur of 40 degrees.
 "There must be Spring in tn air at home, don't you think? Joyce questioned.
 A young man, swimming along side of them, stopped and grinne' Spring, my eye!" he contradicte' brightly. T was ice-skating yes terday morning in Central Park!'
 She gasped. ''Yesterday?"
 ''Uh-huh. Just flew down here.
 "Think of it." she marvele later, as they sat at their ow table and slipped pineapple drinks "Ice- skating in New York on day and swimming in Havana tn next. The whole world will 500 be nothing more than one sma town"
 MT. Gregory's lip curled. Yes, he agreed bitterly, "for those wit money"
 Joyce laughed. T haven't an money and look how far IV come"