Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-08-16
CHAPTER THREE

drawled.
Jean ignored that. She said: Tom
my, come over to the table in the cor
ner. We've ordered coffee"
ooh, what the heck! Sail right
here!" he mumbled.
"Your boy-friend doesn't sound en-
thusiastic," Helen Knocked.
Jean spun round. "Who do you
mean by boy-friend?" she snapped.
"Tommy, this time. Or Walter"
The green eyes challenged. Cor
shall 1 continued" impertinently.
"Walter? What's Walter got to
do with this?" Jean was furious
She flushed holly.
"He just gave you a turn-doWn
didn't he? I heard"
"He certainly did not. 1t just
happens that neither he nor care
for publicity. You saw that l would
MT be photographed"
Helen let loose an unpleasant snick-
er. "Well, I'll be darned! So that's
why your mother pays press-agent
to keep your picture OUT of the
papers! That's the best one I've heard
yet, Jean Garrett! He's so darn smart
at getting you INTO the papers that
he ought to be fired!"
$50 it was you told Walter about
the press-agent?" The words were
out of her mouth before Jean real
lied her blunder.
Tommy swung round. "WhasE
this The battle of two jungle cats p
he shouted.
A voice behind them. Walters
He was with the pretty girl whom
Jean had heard telling her friends Of
his invitation. He said: you'd bet.
ter get your wrap, Mary. I'll round
up the others and We'll meet at my
boat"
The girl cooed back at him: cts
mighty sweet of you, Walter. I'll
love the river ride, and it'll be my
first dance at the Cruise Club"
The two disappeared. Helen's face
was study. To have gloated about
Walter, and then be let down just
as Jean had been! Her mouth fell op-
en-.
But she was a girl who stuck at
very little. Tit for tat! A plan
sprang to her mind. She'd got Tom
my thoroughly fuddled. But he would
be game for it, if she could get him
out of his torpor.
{ Seeing that Jean had returned to
her table in the corner, awaiting
Pedro. she shook Tommy who was
now nodding. "Come up out OF your
( sleep, my lamb!"
He grinned at her. A well egg.
Helen.
"Whash the idea?"
"How'd you like fast boat ride"
She knew he was an expert speed
boat enthusiast. She whispered her
plan. It sounded swell, and he told
her that.
"But there'll be the devil to pay,
angel"
"Phooey!"
Malory'll masshacre us!"
She grabbed his arm. "Come on
Out the back way"
"You'll fresszsh to DEATH"
"Nix on that" Helen laughed. Pm
burning from the inside, like coal
heap!" Before he could argue further
he'd got him to the pier. Swell
little manager, Helen. 1t would be q
peach of an adventure.
Jean was alarmed for Tommy as
she saw them sneak out the back en-.
trance. Were they heading for his
car? He mustn't be allowed to drive
in his condition. There'd be an ac-
cident. or an arrest for drunken driv'
ing. Tommy was her guest, and she
felt responsible for him.
Although it went against the grain
she hurried out after the pair. Saw
that they were down by Walters
beautiful white cruiser, on the Stormy
Petrol!
She followed them into the cockpit
No one else was aboard, apparently
She begged: "Tommy, please come a.
shore! You haven't any right here
and you know it,"
Helen whispered: II only brought
him out for a breath of fresh air
Humor him for a minute. I've some