Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-09-20
CHAPTER. T

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Walter now! He'd see things from the
mans side! Not only would he despise
her mother, but he'd think she ought
to make full confession to Rupert. And
if Laurel wouldn't, there'd always be a
strained attitude to her as well as to
her mother, so far as Walter himself
was concerned.
Alternatively, if Laurel confessed
both she and her mother might find
themselves out on the sidewalk!
The temporary solution was to ac-
cept the strange Gaby in her home as
an honored "friend". Walter, if he
knew, would consider that Jean waa
acting disonetly. That it was weak
and cowardly of her to submit to
blackmail. That she should openly
challenge Gaby-or let her do her
worst, and go to her stepfather!
Strange, perhaps, that she should
feel no resentment towards Laurel
for what she had done in the past!
Wasn't it her father whom the young
Laurel had fallen in love with? AS
blondely handsome then as Walter NAL
lory was today at her side! 1t was to
safeguard her-Jean's-fut that
she had hidden the unhappy marriage
with Gaby's father. She could under
stand luminosity towards Laurel, but
there was none in jeans soul towards
her mother. 1t wasn't only of her
self she thought. She wanted to pro-
tect Laurel, shield Laurel.
whats making you look so serious,
Jean?" Walter asked.
Don't you know that old hays of
my age have their problems
'They certainly make their prob
lens. Go on. like to hear you prattle.
1t relaxes me, my child"
"Well, for a start, who is the blonde
you were with tonight? And why did
you leave her with other people at
the club ?"
ooh, we understand each other"
His fine eyes twinkled.
"But how nice! guess you've
known her for years ?"-watching his
face as they strolled.
"Twenty-eight, to be correct" He
smiled at Jean.
eye gods, she must be an old crone,
Walter!"
Thanks. She's my sister,"
Jean stared.
"Then those orchid pajamas in your
cabin, and the satin robe" "-were
undoubtedly hers, my child. I didn't
even know they were there. Sorry if
it upsets YOU" He grinned with OBJ
vious amusement, adding: 81 suppose
you expected to find the seven wives
hanging up by their hair?"
"Oh, it was quite a voyage of dis
covery, even if I did wind up in the
jug! And wasn't that ducky?"
81 was sorry about that, JEAN"
She said airily: "No need to turn
on the tears. Pm just a merry little
pawn of fate, kicked from pillar to
post, l ami"
He looked steadily at her.
Strikes me the trouble is, you've
too much time on you hands"
CAS- the song says!" Did he know
She was trembling upder the cute
ness she used as a cover? And hating
herself for her wisecracks?
Why couldn't she be herself, her
real self, with this man she wanted so
desperately to please?
Love knocked you off your balance.
1t made you present yourself in the
worst possible light, darn it!
Don't see much of your stepfather,
do you?'" Walter went on.
"No. I'm little lone wolf on the
.prowl!' -
+ That's bad"
' "For. whom? Me or my quarry?
1 don't do so badly. Two perfectly
nice boys were almost coming to blows
over me before you barged I'M"
you're very pretty. But spoiled
miss in more ways than one"
So that's what he thought her!
Don't show him she was hurt. She
managed a gay laugh. "Love affairs
are like draw poker"
"With four aces in the deck!"
Meaning whom?"
"The two boys who were fighting
over you this evening, naturally. And
your foreign beau, Pedro de Moraes.
Or is he in the discard?"
She wanter to retort: "Out, abso-
lutely!" but said, instead: aren't
three aces big time in any gals hand?'
"What about the fourth?"
"I'm waiting!" she challenged.
1t happened like a flash. She was
l. h1