Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-05-17

you bring me here solely to satisfy my
appetite for liquor?"
Sorry. Amy Make it rule never
to- drink before evening""
Then why come here Mt all?'
Bellamy surveyed the restaurant with
out bias. Not bad little hole for peo-
pie in our position"
The melon, inedible and uneaten. was
removed. soup in cups was substituted
I" People in our position" I'm to un-
deIstand. then, any little hole Is good
enough for me. long as ! don't inter
fere with Lucinda's parties at the Ritz"
Bellamy Strengthened his spine and
put down his spoon. An understanding
aptain of walters read his troubled eye
and made casual occasion to draw the
curtains across the front Of the booth.
1T is because Lucindas lunching at
the Ritz today. isn't 1t -
MY dear Amy" said Bellamy cody !;
I'm unaware of having done anything
to provoke this, and if I've sinned I'M
Willingly, / beg your pardon very truly
Won't you believe that, please, and let
me off for today? I'm feeling rather
rusty myself. dear and this is beginning
, to get on my nerves"
At his first words the woman drew
back. flushing. eyes stormy above a
mouth whose gentle allure lost itself in
hardening line, Then swiftly recon-
s!deration followed. visibly the selfish
second thought took shape in the angry
eyes and melted their Ice to a mist of
unshed tears beneath lids newly languor-
| Gus. The petulant lips. too. rebound their
tremulous tenderness Amelies hand fell
upon Bellamy's in a warm conclusive
clasp. She leaned across the corner OF
{ he table.
He kissed her adequately but without
any sort Of emotion, thinking 1t strange,
all the while her mouth chung to him,
that he should so clearly know this to
be good acting, no more, than that. no
less. Bethany was not accustomed to
see through women at so young a stage
NJ intimacy; that came later, came sure
ly but never before had 1t come so
soon. And in little quake of dread
he wondered If il were because he had
grown old beyond his years. too aged
In sentimental tipping to have retained
the capacity for generous credulity OF
his younger years. Or was 1t that the
woman's insincerity had so eaten out
Der heart. no technical perfection could
lend persuasion TO her playing. her ca
resNes potency? Or that he had, since
morning. fallen In love with his wife
all over again and so truly that no
ro~.l passion could seem real:
1t was true. at least, that his thoughts
were quick and warm with memories of
Linda even while he was most engaged
with the effort TO do justice 10 Amelie's
lips, And perceiving this 10 be so. self
contempt took hold of him like a sick
ness,
They resumed their poses Of nonchalant
and sophisticated creatures amiably dis
cussing an Informal ulsll. But first the
woman made effective use Of a handker-
chief
Forgive me- dear" she murmured. II
know II was perfectly rotten Of me. hut
] couldn't help IT, I'm hi overweight.
Bel. not TOO happy: being In love with
you has made things are at home doubly
hard 10 endure. you must know that;
and then-of course" she smiled Eerv
ousIy--"f'm Jealous"
He was silent, adding with fork,
avoiding her eye.
"Qf Lucinda-you understand
He nodded heavily. Yes
She waited an instant and when he
didn't say more began to see that che had
overplayed her hand.
You do love love me, don't you, BEL"
'Of course
~ hen you must know how hard It Is
for me, you can't blame me for growing
inpatient
This line he looked UP and met her
gaze Impatient for whati'"
Why. for what every woman expects
when she's in love and the man whom
she loves loves her; something definite TO
look forward To, I mean. We can't so on
ike this. of course.
NO. not like this"
I'm not the kind Of woman for
hole and corner affair, Bel II | we're,
you wouldn't re In love with me-"
He nodded intently. What do you
propose:"
i've been waiting for that to come
from you. dear; but you never seem to
live for anything but the moment"
I've got to know what's In your mind,
Amy. Tell me frankly"
well. then she saw the mistake of
It instantly. Lut for the life of her
couldn't muffle the ring Of challenger
fancy 1t means Reno for both OF u.s."
Meaning, I'm to divorce Linda and
marry your"
She gave a deprecating futter Of her
hands. What else can we do?"
B"llamy said with a stubborn shake of
his head: Never. without good cause
and as far as | knc Y, Linda's blameless.
I'm a pretty hopeless proposition. |
know, but not quite 80 bad as all that
Amelie sat back. her color rising. She
could not mistlnterpret the determination
in his temper: yet vanity would not per
NIT her to fore9o one last attempt, But
If she should divorce you?''
Continued In Our Next Issue.)