The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-09-19
CHAPTER Nv

CHAPIEh Nv
There was nothing but music,
laughter, color inside the doors of
the club, nothing to remind one of
subtle worries, groundless suspi-
cions. Pat swung into the first dance
with Larry, loving the firm way he
held her. the ease with which she
could now follow his every step.
Men In tuxedoes, some rushing
the season on white mess jackets;
girls in gay Powered prints, fra
gile lace, gossamer georgette; jewels,
flowers, perfume. The nearest APP
proach to movie party she had
ever attended. She was thrilled into
actually forgetting last years frock.
She saw Larry's eyes suddenly
grow alert, saw a smile come to
his lips and a nod of pleased rec
ignition as they passed another
couple.
"Dottie Barnes he told her I'M
der his breath. "Quite a locker"
Pat murmured some trivial
phrase. Dottie Barnes wearing a
dark lowered silk with a daringly
cut back, flaring astounding
bow emphasizing the sleek line
of her hips, cluster of gardenias
on her shoulder that made Pats
one bloom seem insignificant
After the dance Larry maneu-
vered until they were standing
near the girl. There were intro
auctions, laughter, the flip con-
versation of the smart set. Pat
felt frozen, stupid with self
consciousness,
Tall, sunburned Sailor" Brom-
ley detached himself from Dottie
Barnes and turned toward Pat
She looked at him with interest
Up to now he had been a name
in the society pages; the heir to
his fathers wooden mills and mil
lions and the place made by his
family in the local 400.
A silky smiled curved his lips,
and a knowing, daring light danced
in his brown eyes. "Where've you
been keeping yourself gorgeous?" he
said "Or have I been missing some
thing?"
She tried to keep up with the
sophisticated swing of the con-
versation, but it was forced, "You
haven't missed anything" she told
hira. "I'm new here. You see I'm
a working girl enjoying her night
out" 1t gave her secret pleas
ure 10 see the way Larry's jaw
frightened. She didn't know why
she wanted to hurt him, make him
angry, but something drove her
on. The night was all wrong. 1t
had started all wrong. 1t was so
siIly--the way he placed such i'm
portance on this crowd.
pottie Barnes stopped talking
when she saw Larry's eyes travel to
Pat and Bromley. ...
"A working girl Are you really?"
"Yes-a stenographer," Pat said
calmly.
shes more than a Stenogr-
rapher,' Larry added In a tone
she recognized as annoyed. shes
in trafflc court; works for Judge
Kelly. She also has traffic COM
plex-can't talk anything else but
work"
Bromley took Pat by the arm,
Show about a drink? Who cares
how many cops are handing out
tickets tonight. You're too pretty
to start crusading anyway. Wen
have a drink, and then do lit
tie speedin' on the dance floor"
She looked about for Larry, but
he was too engrossed with Dottie
to notice anyone else. She felt
Bromley's hand possessive on her
own, and followed him down to
the little barroom made to look
like a ship. They sat on high |
stools and slipped iced drinks
Bromley swung into his line
again making her feel that she
among all these girls In their ex-
pensive, sophisticated gowns was
the one that really mattered.
"And I'm getting my boat in
shape. Taking her out on the
river next week." he was saying.
after that I'll be prepared for
company. AS soon as it's warmer
we'll go sailing. I'm willing TO
bet cash you'll make a decorative
deck hand, too He finished his
drink and folded his arms on the
little bar. How about lunch to-
morrow"
I'm working girl, remember,
/ can't flutter around like one OF |
these social butterflies"
u,aVNf ann mono htIttAF- |
flies" He stared into the glass and
his voice was husky, his words |
more thick. "Give a guy the run
around. But two can do that, |
honey. Let 'em go for handsome
statesmen. Let EN- pay the bills,
too. Nuts to social butterflies"
At least, Pat thought, he had
called the situation correctly. He,
too, saw Dottie and Larry In the
proper light.
ne looked at ner as though see
ing her anew. "Say-we were
roin' to dance. Coin to show 'em
some fancy steps. Come on.
Bromley took her in his arms and
they Joined the others on the floor.
He held her too close, but despite
his fogginess he was good dancer,
still she felt they were conspicuous,
She tried desperately to catch Lar
VS. eye, but lie continued to ignore
her plea. When he and Dottie passed
he laughed and waved. "You two
seem to get along"
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