The Wilmington morning star., 1940-03-23
CHAPTER

GA14y 4AAAA WV
seen from the laughter Of her friends
that Cholly O'Neil had put her in the
position of defending herself, she
might have gone on persisting in an
noying her.
But with as much grandeur as she
could muster, she picked up anoth'
er glass of champagne and walked
away with an air of being too much
put out by being forced to mlngle
with the hoi polloi to bother fur
Their.
Sensing that the crowd liked
Cholly because she had been truth
full and shown her Unborn Irish
pride, Brent suggested tactfully:
How about a little music before
supper, Dove? Play for us, Cholly.'
That was just the right tonic for
Cholly. Romany was grateful to
Brent for his thoughtfulness. Chol-
ly, without %hesitating, STROBE into
the lounge and sat down at n
piano. Only two or three couples
followed. But she had only played
a few bars when others, hearing n
lovely melody, went in to crowd
around and watch the little Wnlte
hands on the keyboard.
Verv angry, Cholly gave vent to
her spleen on the piano. And she
had never played better in her lie
Just to show Pee Wee Tyler she
knew good music, too, n began
with the classics. Then, deflantly,
she broke into jazz, knowing 1t would
+, enjoyed more by Dover's friends.
Dove watched her with eyes In
which amusement and affection
were mingled. Throughout the ave-
ming he stayed at her side, dellber-
ately showing Pee Wee and the colo
Coasters where he stood on the SUD-
iect of farmers daughters.
Later, without Romany at n
bar, Brent let it be known that she
was the niece of Cissie HarloWe.
That. Of course, put her in the pic
ture in the best possible light. CTS
sic had never bothered much about
who was who in the Blue Book, but
she was known to be very wealthy.
That, those in the know thought,
explained why Romany Halle
should have made friends with a
girl who was poor and earned her
bread and butter playing in a mu-
sic store. She was democratic, like
her beautiful aunt, and a~stonlshlngly
like her in looks.
Romany received several invita-
lions during the evening, which
pleased her no end, and delighted
Brent, She wondered about the sud
den interest they showed in her, u
presumed it was because someone
had read about her being the niece
of Cissie Harlowe in the radio col
umns. Cholly, she noticed, was not
included in the invitations. Inc
crowd might find her amusing as
Dover Hayworth's guest VINO
played the piano so well, but that
wouldn't make them accept her IN
their own homes or on their own
boats.
It was three o'clock in the morn
ing before the party broke up.
Naturally, Pee Wee Tyler expect
ed Dover to take her home. She hid
her rage with a poor effort when
Dove suggested Loren Harper drive
her to the Tyler estate and took
Cholly into his own a at the
downtown pier where they docked.
Driving home in the moonlight,
Dove stopped the machine in a love-
" spot in Hyde park. When he put
his arm around her, she did not pull
away.
"You didn't have too bad a time,
little Cholly," he asked then, "dld
you?"
NO." she sal dtruthtully. II was
pretty miserable at first. But after
I got so mad I felt better"
"That's the Irish in you," he
laughed. Then he bent closer and
kissed her quickly.
When Cholly did not resist, he
nut both arms around her and his
lips were warm and eager on hers,
She stirred, but did not want to
pull away. He'd been SO kind, and
Cholly was naturally affectionate
az a child toward those she liked.
So she responded to his affection
without fear of the consequences.
Dover, sensing her trust, drew
away. smiling down at her whim-
sically.
"sweet child" he said tenderly.
"You kiss like a baby"
She turned her head from him,
suddenly self-conscious.
But 1 believe 1 like baby Kisses
He leaned over and kissed her
warm. soft cheek. you bring out
my better self Cholly."
"Why." she asked then, "were you
so nice to me this evening, Dove?
Dec Wee Tyler will v forgive
you One of her friends told me
YOU and she are engaged"
'"rhat," Dove shook his head neg
.t;velv. "is slightly exaggerated.
INV family and her family would
like us to be. But I'm a little STUB
born on the matter Of having a "lfc
thrown at my head"
THAT makes sense" Choly ap-
proved. "WelI, 1 guess you'll fix 1t
all up tomorrow. She won't stay
mad long. I'm sorry If I caused any
trouble losing my Irish, temper.
Dove grinned.
1T was marvellous. I Wouldn1
have missed it for the world"
Cholly sighed.
Il certainly cooked my goose tell