The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-06-24
CHAPTER L


Barbara, dancing with Robb Nor
rison and more and more distressed
by his too obvious devotions, met
Helen Frayne's eye as they passed
on the floor; and Helen laughed at
something her partner had said, in
a metallic mirthless fashion, and
avoided Barbara's glance. Barbara
looked around for rescue; and Robb
said, whispering in her ear:
Say, Helen's got her eye on me!
Let's duck, go outside"
Now this party was Helen
Frayne's, at the Club in Essex; and
Robb was Helen's too, as everyone
knew. But tonight-he met Bar
bara before dinner for the first time
he had made Barbara and him
self conspicuous by his attentions.
So she was at once uncomfortable
and unhappy-and little afraid of
what Helen might do. Helen was
nice enough; yet she could be cruel
too.
Barbara declined Robb's invitation
to promenade; she said: "No, let's
notl Robb, find Johnny, will you
please? He has my compact in his
pocket"
'Come on" he urged. well both
60 hunt for him!" He took her
cheerfully by the arm.
But she freed herself. "Sh-h!
Mop she whispered. "You must go
rescue Helen. See! She's stuck with
Luke Tydings."
He laughed, shook his head.
"Don't want to be a rescuer," he
protested, a little thickly. "Just
want to dance and dance and dance
with you, forever and ever. How
about little punch?"
"No, thanks!" Barbara had ac-
copied one cocktail before dinner,
since it was easier to do so than to
refuse; but she used that one as
shield, barely tasted it, so that her
full glass protected her against per-
suasions to take another. Not ev-
eryone had been so discreet. Robb,
for instance, was certainly in no
need of another glass Of punch. ''Do
run along" she insisted now, good
hundred but insistent; and she
turned and gave him small thrust
toward Helen yonder across the
floor.
She realized, too late, that Helen
was watching them, had seen her
do this. Worse, Robb marched
straight to Helen, saluted, and said
much too loudly, Barbara says /
must report for duty, Helen!"
So naturally, some people
laughed; and Helen was red with
anger. Her eyes met Barbara's
across the floor.
And that was why Helen deliber-
ately set to work to get Johnny
Boyd drunk. For Barbara had come
with Johnny, driving down from
Boston. She liked him well enough.
He was gay youngster, still at
Harvard, gentle and amusing and
good fun; and he usually remem-
bered his responsibilities. Tonight
he had cut in on Robb once or twice,
till Robb began to cut back so quick
ly that people noticed and laughed;
and Johnny got little mad.
'I'l knock him endways if he cuts
back this time" he told Barbara;
and she said in pleading urgency:
''No, Johnny! Don't have a row!
I'll get rid of him. Here he comes
now"
Johnny obeyed her; but when
little later Barbara sent Robb to
Helen, Johnny had disappeared;
and someone else danced with Bar
bara, and before she could escape,
Helen captured Johnny. They went
out of doors somewhere, and Bar
bara could only wait for them to
return; and when they came back
again and began to dance together,
Barbara saw what had happened.
Helen had done her work well. john
ny was first red, then pale, then red
again; and his feet were stumbling
and uncertain.
Someone cut in on them and took
Helen and left Johnny tottering in
the middle of the floor; and Barbara
guided her partner that way,
thanked him, dismissed him, turned
to Johnny.
He said, eli, Barb!" His arm en-
circled her. "Where you been all
EVENING""
She steadied him skillfully. eve
a frightful headache, Johnny! And
it's so hot in here; I'm just sitting.
Would it spoil your fun if we started
homer"
He looked down at her in bemused
suspicion. "Wait minute! Trying
to play nursemaid, are you? I'm all
right, Barb!"
''Of course you are! You're fine.
] hate to drag you away. but I'm
simply exhausted, Johnny"
He said deliberately: "Well, of
course in that case! Always the gen.
tleman; that's me. Damsel in dis
tress! Women and children first.
Don't spare the horses. Les gol"
Thanks, Johnny. I'll meet you
in the hail."
They went to say goodnight. Hell
en- said mockingly, ooh, going so
early, Barb?"