Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-08-24
CHAPTER Ky.
Ninette Meets q millionaire.

Don't you ever call Peter by his Chris
tian name:" Dorothy inquired lazily. II
noticed that he called you by yours"
ct call him Mr. Nothard," Ninette said.
Dorothy laughed. She rose and
stretched her slim arms above her head.
well dear people" she said, Il like
your company, but If I'm TO be in time
for dinner 1 must so and begin TO dress
now"
She kissed her fingers to Margaret and
went out Of the room.
why does she always want TO be
changing her frocks?" Ninette asked,
with a touch Of impotence, as the door
closed. ''She looks just as beautiful
whatever she wears. 1t must be an aw-
ful bore, dressing and undressing all
day long"
Margaret laughed
ITS a Joy 10 people like Dorothy"
she said. Il must confess I should hate
#. but then I'm not beautiful. and
haven't got all her lovely clothes
There was a little silence.
why didn's Mr. NOthard marry her? ?"
Ninette asked suddenly.
Margaret laid down her work, and
rubbed the bridge OF her straight little
nose with the end of her thimble.
well, I never really knew" she said
rehectively. He would never talk about
it, and I never liked 10 ask her; but
think-I am not sure-it was something
10 do with another Eian."
You mean another man she liked bet
teri"
"Oh no! Just someone she was anus
ing herself with. | think she really cared
for Peter $ much as she Is capable Of
caring FOR anyone, but she can't be sat
ished with only one admirer. She likes
whole train Of men in love with her at
the same tife'
Really. How dreadful
Margaret laughed.
oh, I don't know. Before I was
married I liked my own little court Of
admirers. I must admit; but now I've
got Arthur-well, I'm quite content"
You are very fond Of hint" Ninetts
said thoughtfully.
Yes" And II never occurred to either
Of them that Ninette would have been
more tactful had she said: He Is very
fond of you"
Ninette did not understand Arthur
Delay. She liked him, and no interested
her, but she always had the feeling with
him that the self he showed to the world
was not his real self; that he always
kept a mask before his face, and that
inwardly he was something very differ
ent 10 what he wished people to believe.
II wish Peter would come again" Mar
Earet said suddenly. Cant you write
and ask him. Ninette7 am so fond OF
him. and We hardly ever see one another"
Ninette flushed.
Il don't thin. / should care to write
70 him, she sail quickly. Il hate writ
ing letters; I rover know what to say"
Margaret regarded her attentively.
~ hope yor won't mind by saying
So" she said abruptly, but sometimes
think-perhaPs-you don't really Ike
Peter. Ninette"
There was an clcnreat silence.
81 don't think he is the sort Of man
you can like" Ninette said then, slowly.
II Think cant explain myself"
She did not like to tell Nothard's sis
ter that whenever she thought Of Peter,
It was as she had first seen him IN his
office that wet afternoon, when he had
laughed st her attempts to write, and
sent her away without the money for
which she would almost have thanked
him on her kness.
When presently she went up to change
her frock for dinner her thoughts were
all of Josh, and the old heartacbe seemed
to come back as wildly as II 1t had only
teen yesterday that she stooG in that
bare. back sitting room and looked down
on his dead face
And she clenched her hands as she
thought Of Peter Nothard.
81 hate him. I'll never forgive him -
she cold herself. II wlsh-I only wish l
could make some money for myself and
pay him back what I owe"
= was only as she went downstairs
that she remembered that there was
visitor coming to dinner Dick Felsted,
meeting her at the foot Of the stairs,
whispered % nvG.
Hes cJme, and, my lord. you ought to
see him.
He went of into ats of silent laugh
ter, and Ninette laughed, too
"Why, Iat's the matter with him."
she WHISPERED back.
"Nothfng. except that he oozes money.
Margaret said he was rich; but IL you
look at his diamonds, he must be sec
ond Croesus
well, for goodness sake don't make me
Iaugh!T Ninette said.
She aid much trouble to compose her
features as they went into the drawing
room together.
Margaret was there and her husband,
aud they were both standing by the
fire talking to a tall, thin man whose
back was turned TO the door
He looked around as they entered, and
Ninette shot a reproachful look at Dick
Felsted. He had been making fun Of her,