Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-08-22

perfect little creature she had ever seen;
! it was only afterwards that she modi-
/ fed her opinion. She was very slim,
almost childish in her figure, and her
| hair which was cut in the approved
"bobbed" fashion, was Of a perfect shade
of red which not even the unkindest Of
critics could have called dyed. She had
/ blue eyes, with dark curly lashes, and
charming mouth which seemed almost
smiling.
/ Margaret Delay introduced her nerv-
ously
This IS Miss Manvers, Ninette-I hope
you will be great friends. Peter, there
is no need to introduce you
! Nothard bowed formally; his face was
10 little pale, and his mouth set in
hard line.
1T is a long time since we met" he
said.
Yes" Dorothy's> blue eyes searched
his face with swift criticism, and the
color rose little in her pale cheeks.
It's a long time" she agreed. Nearly
three years
! Margaret's husband interrupted.
Well. if we're all here, we might have
lunch, don't you think? 2"
! They took their places at the table.
and two smartly dressed maids waited.
| Ninette was shy and i'll at ease; she
hardly ate anything though she had said
she was hungry and she did not touch
the wine which she had been too shy
to refuse.
] She sat next to Peter Nothard, and
at first he tried to talk to her but after
Ia few .monosyllable replies he gave it
Iup and devoted himself to his sister,
at whose right hand he was sitting.
There was an empty chair next to Dor
thy Manvers, and presently Ninette asked
Arthur Delay shyly:
please, who ought to be there?"
He glanced at the empty chair, and
laughed at her qaintly worded question
"Oh, that's Dick Belsted's place-he's
always late. and 30 we never bother to
wait for him. He went out on his motor
bike this morning, and I daresay he's
had an accident by this time-he has a
couple Of dozen week, according to all
accounts
Hes just a scatter brain" Margaret
interposed, laughingiy. But he's a dear
boy; l think youll like him, Ninette.'
Il don't care for men much as a rule"
Ninette said bluntly.
Every one looked at Notbard. and he
colored in faint embarrassment.
"Ninette is the most candid young lady
/ I have ever met" he said lightly. You
viii find that out, Margaret, before she
has been here very long
/ Ninette looked at him, her dark eyes
flaming
why shouldn't I be candid" she
asked calmly. What's the use Of pre-
tending to like things when you don't
and peopIe?"
ITS no use at ALL" he answered her.
/ But sometimes it's more polite"
I Dorothy Manvers had hardly spoken
since the beginning of lunch. but she
said pow, with her pretty laugh:
You must get on well with Peter
then. Mss-Ninette-I don't think any
one has told me your proper name -
because he loves candid people, don't
1 you. Peter:" she appealed directly to
Nothard.
He met her eyes fairly and squarely.
81 hate liar more than anything In
the world" he said quietly
/ There was an. uncomfortable little ST.
lence Arthur Delay was looking at
his brother-i in law with faint amusement:
Margaret was flushed and uncomfortable.
How dreadfully serious we are all
getting" she said. a trace OF annoyance
In her voice. 4 don't like serious lunch
parties. Peter, when are you coming to
see me again? 2"
Il am very lusy-I am afraid I can't
spare the time yet awhile" he answered,
decidedly.
THAT doesn't sound very polite" Nj
nette said quietly.
Every one laughed and the little cloud
that seemed to have fallen over them
was dispersed, conversation was merry
enough till the meal was ended, and
Margaret rose
D atEa'V 1asva pafo- Arthur 70 hora
+ one another" she said she took Nj
nette's hand. Come along, you and
{ Dorothy-we shall enjoy ourselves far
more without the men"
/ As they were crossing the hall, a side
door. which led into the garden, opened
rather boisterously and young man
with a hot, flushed face and a rather
dusty-loOking tweed suit, entered.
4 He pulled off his cap when he saw the
three girls and looked at Margaret with
laughing apology.
- I'm so sorry. Mrs. Delay; but I had
a beastly accident. The tire blew of
and chucked me over hedge! No. I'm
not hurt, but the poor old mo-bike is
/ left her in the ditch and walked home.
/ I suppose you haven't kept any lunch
| for me p
! Margaret laughed.
! "You know quite well I have. Dick,
this is Ninette, you have heard so much
about her already that I am sure you feel
that you know her quite we'll. No, don't
shake hands with him, Ninette-he just
reeks of oil, and horrors like that Run
away and wash, there's a dear boy!
/ The men are still in the dining
She led the way into the drawing
room on the opposite side of the hall.
ITO BE Continued.)