The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-06-20
Chapter Is
MAY / Cut In?'

Chapter Is
May / Cut In?'
ATOLA closed the door of the
IN ladies' lounge, made sure no
one else was inside, and said to
JoceIyn: 81 wonder why Tally
wouldn't come over with us?"
Maybe he has sick cow. Any
how, Bob said he promised to put
In an appearance.
"Why isn't Bob coming?"
sOh, he made some sort of vague
excuse. Truthfully, Nola, he's see
ing far too much of that Mack girl.
He's infatuated with her and I'm
worried. Bob-well, he isn't like
the rest of us. He might do some
thing foolish"
Such as?" Nola urged.
sWell-what If he married herr"
"What If he did," Nola shrugged,
powdering her nose and drawing
q crimson lipstiek across her
amused mouth. "She would prob
ably make him an excellent wife. "
@Nola, you're absolutely hope
lessl"
81 think it is you who are hope
less" the other girl said quietly.
Social snobbery is not a pleasant
affection. Lyn, can't you like peo-
pie just for themselves"
Jocelyn paused in the process OF
smoothing down stray curl OF
rich auburn hair. Her face was
thoughtful.
@Am / as bad as all that, Nola?"
81 wonder. You didn't used to
beat least not consciously or OBJ
viously. / think these Texans have
put your back up. You resent what
they've done to Seacliff and so you
retreat into horrible snobbery.
Real people don't do that, Lyn.
They don't have to. could mix
with any sort of people and enjoy
myself. If | fell in love with my
chauffeur or my gardener I'd mar
~ him. | would still BIZ Nola Gran
stor, but ! would also have had
me courage to live my life as |
wished. Darling, it's only the stiff
and proper bourgeoisie who allow
themselves to be CONSTRUCTED by
class and conventions; who fear the
censure of their relatives and
neighbors. can afford to be nat
ufal and human. So can you. So
can anyone if he has the least bit
Of common sense"
Lyn. digested this while she
Tipped into place the full. swirling
skirt of her white taffeta gown and
pinned more securely to her shout
der the pale green orchids Geoff
had sent.
81 just can't like the Mack fam
Ivy. Nola," she finally said. "Wheth-
er It's snobbery or not-they don't
belong at Seacliff and don't want
anything to do with them"
AHave you tried to like them?"
Nola demanded.
aNo. And | don't intend to-"
well, |, have. And ] learned a
lot. They've been kicked around
like footballs by depression and
poverty and they've come out of it
with their chins up; thanks to
young Talbot. He gave up his
chance for a career to take care Of
his family-and he might have had
one, for he's smart and not afraid
Of work. His family worship him
and / don't blame them. He's loyal
and dependable and any girl that
gets him for husband will be
darned luckyi Did you ever stop
20 wonder how you and | and peo-
pie like us would react to the loss
Of our money and property? Would
we whine or would we fight?"
~Oh, stop it Nola!" Lyn said
Grossly. "T'm so sick of hearing
euIogies about the Mack family
that I wish were in Alaska! Let's
90 out and dance"
Introducti0ns
NIOLA gave her sleek, velvet
j y sheathed image one last glance
of approval and followed Ign out
to the dance floor where Geoff and
Thorndyke waited impatiently.
As Geoff danced her the length
Of the floor. Jocelyn answered the
gay greetings of her friends, only
half-listening to Geoff's elaborate
diagnosis of the new pony's all
ment. Finally, looking down al her
distracted eyes, he accused petu.
lantly. "You aren't even listening
to me. Lyn! If bore you so ter
ribly perhaps you'd like 10 finish
the dance with someone else"
He felt her startled movement
and followed her glance toward
the entrance where a tall young
man in immaculate evening clothes
stood surveying the dancers with
bold black eyes. a half smile on his
mouth.
1T - it's Tally -" Jocelyn
gasped. Hes coming toward US
he's going to cut in"
sWho invited him?" Geoff blus-
tered. sI'll have him thrown out!'
81 invited him. Don't you dare
make a scene. Geoff Kensing!"
Then Tally was next to them,
smiling down at Jocelyn as il they
were the best of friends. May, I
cut int"
Feeling as if all volition had left
her, she went into his arms: felt
them tighten about her slender fig
ure and guide her into smooth
steps. He could dance. And we'll.
She relaxed a trifie and dared a
peek upwards. He appeared per-
fectiy composed and at ease. He
did not look out of place or strange.
he might be any one of the young
men in the club set.
Other couples passing them