Page:The plastic age, (IA plasticage00mark).pdf/278

256 words at once. His blood raced, and he staggered so crazily that Cynthia had to hold him by the arm.

“Sure—sure; I ’ll—I ’ll ta-take you some-somewhere. I—I, too, Cyntheea.”

They walked unevenly out of the gymnasium, down the steps, and through the crowd of smokers standing outside. Hardly aware of what he was doing, Hugh led Cynthia to Keller Hall, which was not more than fifty yards distant.

He took a flask out of his pocket. “Jush one more drink,” he said thickly and emptied the bottle. Then, holding Cynthia desperately by the arm, he opened the door of Keller Hall and stumbled with her up the stairs to Norry Parker’s room. For¬ tunately the hallways were deserted, and no one saw them. The door was unlocked, and Hugh, after searching blindly for the switch, finally clicked on the lights and mechanically closed the door be¬ hind him.

He was very dizzy. He wanted another drink— and he wanted Cynthia. He put his arms around her and pulled her drunkenly to him. The door of one of the bedrooms opened, and Norry Parker stood watching them. He had spent the evening at the home of a musical professor and had re¬ turned to his room only a few minutes before. His face went white when he saw the embracing couple.

“Hugh !” he said sharply.

Hugh and Cynthia, still clinging to each other,