The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-11-30
LOVE AT TEST

When a young man newly In love
meets with trouble his first thought
is, what will this do to my love?"
Just as a rich man thinks of his gold
at the first alarm of any kind. Ned
'Flowerton, defeated in his attempt to
sell his invention and disillusioned in
himself, turned Immediately to Fay
Summers.
Lily Blake had not entirely succeed
ed in her design to bring matters to
the proposal point between the young
couple. She had overplayed her hand
until Ned could see every move and
card in 1t. With resentment natural
to spirited young man, he backed
away from the net spread before his
eyes. But 1t was not because he was
reluctant to propose to Fay Summers,
He would have done so of his own &C
cord, had he not felt Lily Blake push
ing him into it.
Now, however that he had met a
reverse In his struggle for success, he
was on fire to see what effect it would
have on his love. He went from the
Ferrol house to the country club where
he knew Fay would be waiting for
him. He found her engrossed In a
set of tennis with young Bennings.
whom Arcadia called privately 1.-THE
Golden Calf" because he was so rich In
material wealth and so lacking In
everything else.
Fay nodded to Flowerton and then
His serious expression struck her I'M
comfortably and she put off as long
as she could the unpleasant moment
yrrh ch t0 1n1y h ~
1t meant. Fay hated problems, and
she saw one in her young admirers
face.
you. Fay?" Ned said. 81 want to talk
to YOU"
"All right" Fay said uneasily, glanc-
ing back at young Bennings. See you
later, SAM" she called out to the
Golden Calf.
The young couple strolled toward the
woods in self-conscious silence. Fay
suspected Ned was about to propose to
her, but she did not like the portent
his eyes revealed. Ned felt the lack of
solicitude on her part and his intui-
tion, which even men take on as gift
when their love is involved, told him
this was not the mien of true love.
When they reached a knoll in the
woods he turned to her.
Fay, I've come a cropper with my
invention" he plunged, watching her
keenly. ITS dead on my hands for
/ don't know how long!"
She shot him a resentful look and
jerked her shoulders impatiently.
why do you want me to feel blue?"
she demanded. you know it depresses
me to hear these things! Only a few
days ago you were sure you'd be a
in no time. And now
And now l know better!" Ned said
1--WE stopped dreaming"
She slowly crushed clump of wild |
violets with the toe of her tennis shoe. |
Her eyes were downcast; her face |
averted. Ned's lips were pressed |
tightly together as he waited in vain |
for single loving. comforting word |
from her. Finally he took one reluct- |
ant hand in his.
Fay, I'm awake to myself now. l /
am going to work in earnest Moth !
ing wonderful at first. Just plain |
job with a mechanics !
wages. If there's anything more in |
it than that for me, it'll come But |
I'm through with promising wonders |
about myself. What l want to know,
Fay, is" 1t took him q moment |
to turn the corner. Does it make |
any difference in your feeling for me?"
Il don't know what you mean?" she |
fenced uneasily.
DO you love me any less?" he ask
ed with the brutal directness of suffer
ing youth.
'Why. Ned, how you talk" she
stormed. Il don't know what to say.
You put it $3.50 brutally. Why should
It make any difference? You know ]
you're going to make lots of money in
a little time"
Il know no such thing. Fay!" said
Ned firmly, though moment later