The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-10-14
HEART SICK.
Chapter 81.


My dinner was a great success. 1t
was followed by another my aunt en-
tertained always in a lavish manner.
the much sought after Ribbles became
great friends. ] promised to spend
some time with them when | went
TO Florence. a thing | had no imme
date intention of doing.
You see,. knew | could do it,
Aunt Harriet chuckled one afternoon.
All ! had to do was to produce you
looking like a debutante, then mention
casually a long and mysterious story
of marital unhappiness, and excite
their curiosity. II stimulated their in
terest, naturally they wanted to know
more about this demure little creature
with the extraordinary history"
I'D rather be liked for myself than
for my past | remarked Jelly.
"Oh my dear, how very ingenue Of
you!" Aunt Harriet said. And that
finished me completely
Colin came in for tea late one after
noon. The studio was full of people
AS it always seemed to be on those
days when | was at home Colin
sat quietly smoking, hunched up, as
usual, on the least comfortable chair
he could find But this time it hap
pened to be a great stool before the
fire. an odd piece of furniture that
looked like nothing so much as a
short-legged table whose top was up
holstered and covered in tapestry On
this curious and rather handsome
piece Colin perched himself and
smoked one cigarette after another,
and waited until my guests had gone.
When the last one left, l came back
into the room, and threw myself down
on great couch that stood near the
big "foot-stool"
so you've done for Gwen" Colin
observed, his green eyes twinkling q
bit as he looked at me.
Done for Gwen! What DO you
mean?"
Cut her, had her sacked, dropped
her" he elucidated Even my humbla
art student friends talk of it. 1t is
all over town. You and YOUR clever
aunt got from her, her one valuable
asset. Then you throw her over"
Colin, You are making me sound
like villainess from a melodrama
Didn't you? Gwen was countine
on the Ribbles to remark her tottering
social reputation here. Your aunt
alone could not have gotten them
but she managed it with you. They
are much taken with you" He smoked
on, his queer green eyes fairly boring
into me.
II don't know what Aunt Harrie
did. and don't care. I'm tired. DON
lecture me, Colin, dear. Give me (;
cigarette"
Really want one? You needn'
smoke because I'm here"
Give me one, | want one"
lit it, and leaned back, quoted a
once by watching the blue smoke curl
] never knew whether or not | like
to smoke, or to drink when m
friends offered me things. 1t wa
there, it was the thing to do. Some
lines when | was nervous it seemed
TO distract me.
That's a new tea gown, isn't it.?
Yes. Do you like it?"
Perhaps! II clings too much
makes you look like a half drape'
statue, | rather like having tea witt
a friend, not a statue
Unconsciously / pulled frill OF lac
up to cover my shoulders. 1t wa
cut low-but the rose velvet gov
was heavenly affair.
How many new gowns have you?
Colin went on.
II don't know. Thirty, perhaps, an
some suits. Colin. why are you scolC
ing me? You are. l don't want I
be scolded You look so disappro7
ing"
81 am | hate to see you smoke
Everyone smokes"
You are as delicate and fragrar