The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-12-23

she was up and down stairs many
times looking after countless details.
She had just dispatched Allen to find
partners for some out-of-town girls
when Morton Bassett accosted her in
the hall
I'm thirsty, Miss Garrison; which
punch bowl do you recommend TO
man Of my temperate habits?"
She turned to the table and took a
glass from Mrs. Owens butler and
held it up.
The only difference between the
two is that one is pink. 1 put it in
myself. Your health and long life to
Marian said Sylvia.
He seemed in no hurry and appar-
emily wished to prolong the talk. They
withdrew out of the current of people
passing up and down the stairway.
You are not dancing?' he asked.
NO; I'm not here socially, so TO
speak. I'm not going out. yon know;
I only wanted to help Mrs. owen a
little"
Pardon me; hadn't really for
gotten. You are a busy person;
Marian tells me you have begun your
teaching. You don't show any evi-
dences Of wear"
"Oh, L never was 50 well in my life
You viii pardon me for mention
Ing II here, but-but [ was sorry 10
hear from Mr. HarwoOd that the teach.
ing is necessary"
lie was quite right, she thought, in
saying that the time and place were
81 i
leaned against tho wall and sho no.
ticed that his lids dropped YEARLY.
He seemed content 10 Hnger there,
where they caught ftfully glimpse Of
Marians bright. happy face in the
dance Mrs. owen and Mrs Bassett
were sitting in q group of dowa=ers
at the other end of the ballroom.
Identifying and commenting upon this
seasons debuntantes.
Il suppose YOU are very busy now"
Sylvia remarked.
Yes; this viii be a busy session"
And I suppose YOU have more 70
do than the others; its the penalty Of
leadership"
He smiled. and stood erect as
though impelled by an agreeable
thought.
we don't meet very often. Miss
+ Garrison, and this is hardly the place
for long conversations: you're busy
too; but I'd Ike TO ask you some
thing"
Certainly, Mr.. Bsssett.'
THAT afternoon, after tho couveu-
ton. you remember"
"Of course. Mr. Bassctt; 7 remem-
Der perfectly"
You laughed.
They both smiled; and il seemed to
him that now, as then. it was a smile
! Of understanding. a. curious reciprocal
( exchange that sUfiiced without eluci-
dation in words.
Weir said Sylvia
Would you mind telling mo Just
why YOU laughed2"
oh, That would be telling Il lot Of
things"
I'D really like 10 know, Miss Car
risou. If I knew why you laughed
at me-
"Oh, I didn't laugh at you- At
/ least-it wasn't just YOU alone 7 was
laughing att
Not at me7"
His look Of indifference vanished
wholly; he seemed sincerely interest
ed as he waited for her reply, de-
layed a moment by the passing Of a
group Of youngsters from the ball.
room to the fresher air Of the hall
II know perfectly well this isn't d
good place to be serious in; but
Iaughed-Do you really want ia
I know"
YES, please. Don't try to spare my
feelings; they're pretty badly shot up
anyhow"
ct must have been because it
struck me as funny that man Ike
you-with all your influence and
/ power-your capacity for doing big
/ thinGs-should 60 TO SO much trouble
merely to show another man your con
tempt for him. It was ridiculous Just
| because it seemed so unnecessarily
elaborate-such a waste Of steam
go that was it. Well, maybe it
wasn't so unnecessary after all; to be
/ frank. I didn't think so. In my CON
/ ceit [ thought it a good stroke That's
! q secret: nobody else knows that
! The music ceased and Allen and
/ Marian flashed out upon them in the
/ highest spirits.
I well. 7 like this" cried Marian.
What are you two talking so long
about? Oh. 7 saw you through three
/ dances at leastr'
/ Miss Garrison has been laughing
| at me, said Bassett, smiling at his
/ daughter. "She doesn't take me at
| all seriously-or too seriously: don't
know which,
How could she take you serious
I ly.' demanded Marian. Il never do:
| Sylvia. where on earth is our little
Daniel? It's nearly time for cotiIion.
| And If Dan Harwood doesn't show
up for that III never forgive him in
this world"
''The codllion?" repeated Bassett.
! glancing at his watch Hasn't Dan
got here yet? He had a committee
meeting tonight. but it ought to have
been over before now"
Sylvia noted that the serious look
came into his eyes again for an in
slant.
He oughtn't to have had com.
mittee meeting on the night of my
party. And it's a holiday too"
And after all the rehearsing we've
done at Aunt Sally's the cherry-tree
figure absolutely has to have him.
said Allen. Maybe I'd better send a
scout to look him up or run over to
the Statehouse nvself