Young Romance #1 [103]

In "Scheduled for Heartbreak," Martha finds unexpected friendship—and then love—with Jack Marvin, the son of her father’s new wife, Clara. As their bond deepens, the weight of Jack’s hidden illness threatens to tear them apart, forcing Martha to face a choice that will define the rest of her life.

Frances is smitten with Wally Davis, despite his unremarkable looks, but her friends—especially Marcia—mock her affection. When Wally grows suspicious and pulls away, Frances learns he’s been spending time with Marcia, who now regrets her cruel teasing and fears she might take his attention for herself. As tensions rise, Frances must decide whether to reconcile with Wally before it’s too late.

Anita Cordiss, a fiercely independent athlete, calls off her engagement to Bob Barstow with a sharp rule: she can't love a man she can't respect—and that means she won’t love someone she beats at sports. Determined to win her back, Bob accepts her challenge: marry her if he can beat her at any sport. He chooses badminton, and the match becomes a tense, tightly fought battle of wills and skill. When the final point lands, the outcome leaves both of them—and readers—wondering: was it luck, strategy, or something more?

In "Dancing Date!", Bobby Rogers is left fuming when his girlfriend Sally Long abandons him at a dance to partner with the smooth-talking Dick Jeffries. Determined to win her back, Bobby enrolls in dance lessons with the surprisingly strict Miss Morley—only to find his efforts nearly too late. When Miss Morley invites him to a dance, Bobby assumes she’s interested, but her advice comes with a wink and a warning: "corral your filly!" A heartfelt talk with Sally clears the air, and she’s touched by his effort—no more worries about other men, at least for now.

Howard Parker and Mona Morrison share a summer romance built on secrets—she pretends to be wealthy, he admits he’s not. When the truth comes out, neither pretense matters as they realize they’ve fallen for each other for real.