Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-08-09
CHAPTER /


How can win him back ?" Jean
Garrett asked herself urgently at the
Yacht Club dance. She had four men
about her, but what did they matter
when it was Walter Mallory-and
Walter only-who could make her
heart beat faster?
She sat straight and proud in the
new pink satin gown with its de-
mure hustle reminiscent of the Nine
ties, thinking: "He mustn't guess how
terribly l feel about our QUARREL"
But had he ever really loved her?
I Would he have refused to join her
party if he had cared?
Three nights ago, in her step-fath-
er's big drawing room on Park Ave-
nue., Walter had said: II don't in
tend to be third man in a party which
includes Tommy Alden and Pedro de
Moraes. The one is an alcoholic
playboy, and the other philandering
fool"
ways liked to think the best of every
body, even though it often got her
into difficulties. She protested: "But
/ can't cancel my party and insult my
friends just because you're prejudiced,
Walter! 1 think you're being very I'M
fair!"
He had stuck to his statement and
dropped out. She'd been fool!
Furthermore, he was paying atten-
ton tonight to Helen Hobart.
Helen had a beautiful figure. Red
hair. Green eyes. Honey to the men,
and a hellion to the women. That
was Helen. What she was telling Wal
ter, Jean could we'll imagine. 1t was
cruel of him to act as if fascinated
by Helen. She hated him for it, even
while her heart ached for him. She
was gray and smiling outwardly. But
inside she was miserable.
Through gap between Tommy and
Pedro, she could see him talking to
Helen now. He was tall and lean and
graceful, with an aristocratic air. His
face strong, clean-cut, and sun-brown-
ed in contrast to his blond hair. The
blue of the sea, that was his hobby,
seemed to be captured in his eyes.
A handsome man and clever lawyer,
Walter Mallory. Those clear eyes,
turned on Helen, were smiling appre-
ciatively.
The music started up. She'd prom
Used Tommy this dance. 1t proved to
be the crazy new Boomps-a-Daisy!
Bustle-bumping! Lets call it off
Tommy" Not make fool of herself
under Walters keen scrutiny, Helen's
hooking gaze.
"But insist! Aren't you the gal
who boasts she never breaks a prom
ise?" Tommy challenged her.
ooh very we'll, them" reluctantly.
"But no fancy tricks! No ballet
stunts!"
Jean made lovely picture on the
dance floor. She wore her yellow
curls piled high. 1t accentuated the
pure oval of her face. Her skin was
clear and unrouged, the cheeks tinged
with apple-blossom pink that was the
color of her dress. Mouth curved and
dewy, like a child's. Eyes darkly
blue, under long dark lashes. Nose
delicately modelled, with the tiniest
uptilt.
"Say, you got them all licked by
mile! I'm nuts about you, Joan!
How about taking me on for keeps ?"
Tommy was asking, holding her far
too tightly for her liking. Especially
with Walter looking directly at them.
"Stop it. Don't be a boa-constric-
tor! Remember we're on the floor!"
Her usually sweet voice had an edge
to it. Tommy was breathing cock
tails on her. Because Walter had
asked her to, she'd given up taking
cocktails like the other girls in the
crowd did. And to add to her an
noyance with Tommy was the fact
that, but for him and Pedro, she'd be
with Walter at this moment, and not
doing this ridiculous dance!
Listen, honey. My cars outside.
How about routing up a preacher?
Pm on the level. wanna marry you",
Tommy said thickly.
Don't be silly" She thought: A
proposal on a dance floor is just like
Tommy! Scatter-brained! But sup
pose some girls would be thrilled. He's
good-looking-of a very good family
with money which one day he'll in
herit if he doesn't do anything too
crazy!
1t was a compliment, really. She
wished Walter had heard. Not that