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


pardon the bromide!"
That's the very reason you can
make your life useful one. You have
unusual opportunities" he had told
her.
$50? D'you want to turn me into
an old lady at nineteen?" She had
hated herself Immediately for say
ing that. Wanted to cry out: "Show
me what 1 should do to win your
good opinion! I'll cut anything out
you don't want me to do! Don't you
know I'm lonely in that big house,
with mother visiting in Cuba and
my stepfather up to his neck in
business? l tell you there isn't any,
one to care what l dol"
He'd dubbed her a social butter
fly. At heart she wasn't. 1t was cir
cumstances.
She told herself he couldn't really
have cared for her, or there wouldn't
have been this withdrawal.
Anu UOW-IiOW W VIII Hiil O1Sh
Where to begin? What to do?
This was the last dance of the sea-
son at the Yacht Club. She might
not run into Walter at many of the
other dances. And as for the restau-
rants, he'd made it plain that he
hadn't much use for Cafe Society.
Tommy by now had forgotten his
promise of dancing decorously. It
was the moment for the ludicrous
bustle-bumping. He did it with such
vim that Jean shot some feet across
the floor. Helen Hobart's sarcastic
laugh rang out. Jean flushed with
annoyance. She said quie I'll y:
"Enough's enough, Tommy. You're
coming out to the bar and drink
some strong black coffee" To pre-
vent argument, she took him firmly
by the arm and led him off.
She heard a pretty girl say to an
other, and two men: Walter NAL
lory has invited US to go up on his
boat tonight to the Cruise Club
dance! I've accepted for the four of
us! It'll be fun"
The Cruise Club? They'd be go
ing off in the moonlight in his high
powered cabin cruiser that was moor
ed outside. Was Helen going too? 1t
was unthinkable that he hadn't asked
her also, when they'd been almost as
good as engaged! Was everything
really all over? Jean wondered I'M
happily.
Someone was speaking to Helen
Now was her chance. She'd ditch
pride. eco on in to the bar and I'll
join you in minute, Tommy. No
drinks, remember. Coffee!" And she
went up to Walter.
He said stiffly: Congratulations
on your performance. 1t was tops
of it's kind"
He wasn't usually sarcastic. But
he was, now. He hadn't forgiven her
She said quietly: at was-silly.
stopped it. Tommy's been drinking. y
His left eyebrow lifted. It seemed
to imply: "What did you expect ?"
She continued: "This party seems
on the dull side, doesn't it," Would
he take the hint, and include her in
his up-river trip?
The expressive eyebrow quirked
again. "You made your choice, did
MT you? Isn't it little late to be
disappointed in your escorts ?"
She bit her lip. you're being
rather horrid, Walter!"
ooh no! You've always got every
thing you wanted, Jean. The world
served up to you on little golden
platter!"
She gasped "That isn't true!"
Just then, news photographer ap-
preached them with his camera. Bow
ing obsequiously, he asked: "May
1 take your picture with the gentle
man, Miss Garrett?"
She nodded, and her heart lifted.
To be photographed with Walter
linked with him publicly in the pa
pers, and for the first time!
He shook his handsome head de-
cisively. "Count me out. The press
agent stuff isn't in my line. Be
sides-"-he grinned sarcastically-
"I'm nobody socially!"
And he moved deliberately out of
radius of the camera, leaving her with
that barb about the press agent rank
ling horribly.
Jean could have burst into tears.
Walter had turned her down. She
wished that the dance floor would
open up and swallow her, she was
so Inundated.
She murmered: "Beast" That