The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-07-14
CHAPTER XII

At the Strathmore Hotel, there was laughter and music. Farming ton society had come to dance to the swing music of Jim Coon's fam Dus orchestra.
 Jim Coon looked toward the door, a smile about his mouth.
 "Jerry Lane and Lita Damson, world famous dancing pair, are now entering the room," he an- nounced swiftly. He had scarcely believed his ears when Lita had called, but here she was with Jerry beside her.
 The words were magic. As she would shed an old frock that no longer was of any value, so Lita could feel the crlnging sedate per- sonality slipping away from her. She had been humble, afraid of vkat Ken might say afraid of @Aspleasing him or his friends. But sAae wasn't afraid now, for 1t no longer mattered.
 She moved beside Jerry as a princess might have moved, nod ding here and thereto people she knew, meeting for moment Ken's eyes as he sat at table near the wall with Janet.
 Jim Coon watched them as they came along the edge of the floor. When they came nearer, he made his way toward them, holding out his hands in welcome, laughing as he guided them to a table. For moment they talked and laughed; then he turned back to the room.
 we are going to have the priv tIege tonight of seeing Miss Dam- son and MT. Lane dance. It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you Lita Damson and Jerry Lane, the worlds greatest dancers as well as my two very good friends"
 They moved toward the center of the dance floor, laughing as they turned to face the applauding crowd. Lita was looking at Ken as he sat scowling beside Janet. She had never seen him look so angry. He was fairly glowering. A laugh tugged at the corners of her mouth. Three hours earlier ehe would have been terrified at the thought of his anger, but now tt only seemed amusing.
 The light caught the scintillating sequins in a thousand splinters of light as she danced with the abandon for which she was fam- Ous. The applause was deafen- Ing as the music stopped.
 She and Jerry were dancing again. their mad Spanish dance, swirling, dipping, swaying, stop- ping at last, painting and breath less, laughing into each others eyes.
 Lita was laughing and lowing as she clung to Jerry,s hand. The applause was a roar about them. Her hair was tumbled, but her hayes were alight. And as she &cked over the crowd grouped about that central dancing space, the thought was born.
 To the left was @ dinner party of the gay younger crowd who was always doing things, and Ken disapproved of them because they were not in his particular social group-Rita Gavin and the Baylor boy, young Tom Phillips and Bess Begg, Charles Ryan and one or two others she did not know. Sud- denly they moved toward them, laughing down at Rita Gavin.
 "Jim Coon has consented to play for . party for me after he finishes here tonight. Won't you all come out to my house and dancer"
 "Will weq" They were looking at her with admiring eyes. We didn't know you were Lita Dam- son. Their voices were bubbling.
 People were watching her eagerly, and their glances darted back now and then to Ken Richards and Janet Carstairs.
 Lita was dancing with Jerry again, and as she whirled past the table where Ken sat glaring at her, she paused beside him, laugh ing . little as she clung to Jerry's arm.
 'Ken, darling" Determinedly she made her voice gay and light, and her eyes as she met his were mocking. "I'm having a little