The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-12-30


you; mean that you mustn't go Lack
to teaching this fallg'
There, you see"-and he knew she
smiled in her patient, sweet way that
was dear to him-'you want to stop
my work before it's begun! You see
how impossible it would be, DAM"
But you can do other things; there
are infinite ways in which you can be
Of use. doing the things you want to
do. The school work is only a handi-
cap-drudgery that leads to nothing
He knew instantly that he had
erred: ard that he must give her no
opportunity to defend h,r attitude
toward her work. He returned quick
y TO his great longing and need.
Without you I'm d failure, sylvia
II it hadn't been for you l should
never have freed myself Of that man
lver there And he lifted hi arm
toward the lights Of the Bassott and
ing on the nearer shore.
No; you would nave saved your
sell in any case; there's no question
ing that. You were bound TO do it.
And It wasn't the man; it was the pase
seiviCude that you came to despise."
Not without you. 1t was your at
titude toward me, after that cheap
piece Of melodrama 1 figured in Ia
that convention, that brought me up
with a short turn II all came through
yOu-nly wish to measure up 10 your
ideal"
But the break must have cost you
n inc n in,
just a little bit?"
1t was clear from her tone that she
wished affirmation OF this. Tho refer
ence to his former employer angered
him He had been rejoicing IN his
escape from Morton Bassett, and yet
Sylvia spoke Of him with tolerance
and sympathy The BassetU were
CCOlly using her 10 exIricate them
saIyes from the embarrassment 10
sulurg from their own folly; it was
PrepOsterous that they should have
sent Sylvia u bring Marian home
And his rage was intensified by the
recollection of the paJhOs he had him
SELF felt in Bassett that very evening
as he had watched him mount the
steps Of his home. Sylvia was caus
knowledge thar, in spite Of his avowed
contempt for The man, Morton Bassett
stiI reused his curiosity and interest
Il was unfair for sylvia 10 taks ad
vantage OF this
'Basseus nothing to me-" he said
roughly.
He seems 20 me the loneliest SOU
I ever knew replied sylvia QuietlyA
He was at once ashamed Of the
temper TO which ne had yielded, and
angry at himself Tor having broken
the calm Of the night with these dis
c0rdant notes. Sylvlas hand touched
the wa-er caressingiy, waking tiny
nipples.
sylvia" he said when he was calm
again, - want you 20 marry me"
L have told you, Dan, that I car
never marry any one; ana that must
be the end Of it"
But your work can go on" he be
gan. ready for another assault upon
that barrier.
\ saiIboat, lettering IN the light win
had stolen close upon them, and passed
hardly a paddles length away. Dan
without changing his position, drove
the canoe toward the shore with few
strokes Of the paddle, then steadie4
himself to speak again. Sylvla's eyes
watched the sails vanishing like
ghosts into the dark
Only the lights Of the saHboat Were
visibly now. but suddenly d girl
voice rose clear and sweet, singing 70
Il Of
mandolin. The guitar thTobbed; ana
On its deep chords the mandolin wove
.r- melody. The voice seemed to stea
out Of the heart Of the night and floal
over the still waters. The unsecr
singer never knew the mockery Of tn.
song she sang. It was an old SON.
4-4 Mas one familiar til
World round. And it bore the answer
TO Dams question which Sylvia had
carried long in her heart, but could
not speak. She did not speak It then
i was ordained that she should never
speak it And Dan knew and under
stood.
who Is Sylvia what is she
That all the SWANS adore herr"
The song ceased When Dan saw
SyIvia's head lift, he silently took the
paddle and impelled the canoe toward
the red. white. and blue lanterns
that defined Mrs Owens landing.
They We're within a hundred yards of
the intervening green light of the
Bassett dock when a brilliant meteor
darted across the zenith, and Dams
exclamation broke the tension. Their
eyes turned toward the heavens
Sylvias still bright with tears, Dan
knew. though he could not see her
face.
Poor lost starr she mur1nured
softly.
Dan was turning the canoe slight
" to avoid the tutting shore that
made a miniature harbor at the Bas-
sett's when Sylvia uttered a low
warning. Dan, instantly alert, eripped
his paddle and waited. Some one had
launched a canoe at the Bassett boat
house. There was a stealthIness in
the performance that reused him 70
vigilance. He cautiously backed MATER
and waited A word or two sDolxen
IN low tone reached Dan and Sylvia.
two persons seemed to be embarking.
A canoe shot out suddenly from
the dock, driven by a confident hand
1T must be Marian: but there's
some one with her" said Sylvia.
Dan had already settled himself In
the stern ready for a race.
It's probably that idiot Allen be
Grcwled. We must follow them"
Away from the shore shadows the