The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-02-18
BEING ENGAGED
CHAPTER 80

OF all the people who may have been
surprised by the announcement of the
engagement, none was more so than
Amy herself.
On the way home in Adams car.
packed with other guests, she began
to think about it,
How had it started-oh. yes: the ST.
Yer paper crown. which Dave had cut
out and whichclearly called for head
to put il on-that's how Adam came
TO have the silly thing on him. and to
be saluted as king.
That's what suggested TO the mis-
chievous DUN" sister that they should
hold a mock court and Adam should
have queen. DUN" knew we'll
enough the little black eyed girl was
TO quote her nuts over Adam"-so
she manoeuvered it with her sister to
have him catch Amy. She disliked the
black haired girl.
So the crown started it. Dave was a
Young illustrator who amused himself
sometimes by cutting animals out OF
paper, folding the paper ingeniously
TO give a more lifelike appearance to
his "barnyard" He had been doing
this-cutting up paper, making them
guess what it would be when folded
1t never came out the animal they ex,
pected when a few wrinkles and
creases made a strangely shaped piece
of paper into very clever dachhund
or lion or ape.
So Dave had started it. really.
Her mother simply said, when they
entered the apartment together, why
Ix,f4 III l. 11x
YOU can confide in me now-I haven't
opposed you for great many months
Amy nearly wept, she was so peni
tent.
Il would have told you, honestly
mother. But | didn't know-really J
cidn't. Adam has played around-but
he never said anything definite.
She leaned against the wall, pulling
off long glove. 1t was very late. and
there were shadows under the girls
eyes. Her ceaseless activity was be
ginning to tell on even her buoyant
strength. Amy still kept up hel
French and Italian lessons, though she
had been compelled to drop dancing
classes and piano study.
Mrs. Talbot followed her daughter
down the dark hallway, walking softly
so as not TO waken Luther. In Amy's
room they stopped. Amy began un
winding the scarf that kept her hail
from blowing when she was in the car
Il know YOU and lots of other people
thought we were secretely engaged,
she said. Il never said anything
rather wanted people to believe that
Adam is rich, he's a good catch. a lot
of women were after him. He knew il
too-that's why he held off.
But he wasn't sure of himself fol-
all that. He was always just afraiC
the girls he liked might turn him dowT
if he asked any of them to marry him
He was even afraid of Dick-he was
afraid to ask me, for fear | would sa,
no, and that would hurt his vanity.
Il suppose that's why he took thi:
way of announcing it"
But Amy-if it wasn't true, VIII.
didn't you deny it?"
Heavens, 1t was awkward enough
being told | was engaged. Besides
Adam honestly believes we have beer
all along-only he was just afraid tC
ask me outright, for fear | might re
fuse him.
The pretty, fimsy dress had slipped
fro mher shoulders, showing all thu
SUI curves Vi HSI HtCh anu aims, III
white skin that was as smooth as pol
ished marble, all her youngness, he
slimnes-Mrs. Talbot choked so sh
could not speak. Amy was so youni
and tender and innocent for all he
carefully boarded knowledge of tn
worlds wickedness, She was sacre
10 her mother, mentally and PHYSICAL
and this man was so awful
-I III chn oil
She should kiss her daughter and wis
her happiness-that was always done
But how could she, when everythin
within her was crying out against thi
marriage?
She did not dare to weep openly
that would only make matters worse
Amy seemed to be taking the Who'll
thing calmly-she was shaking out he
hair now, which fell in a red gold mas
down her back, over the frail pinknes
of one of CIaire's discarded silk nigh