The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-02-12

the time to their relatives. A high
color's very becoming to you, Arthur;
but it really isn't necessary between
cousins. You can always be informal
enough with us to listen only when
you care to-"
His complexion continued to be
ruddier than usual, however, through
out the meal. and was still somewhat
tinted when Mrs. Palmer rose. The
mans bringing you cigarettes here,
she said. nodding to the two gentle
men. Wen give you a chance to do
the sordid kind Of talking we know
you really like. After while, Mildred
will show you what's in bloom in the
dollhouse, if you wish, Arthur"
Mildred followed her, and when they
were alone in another of the spacious
rooms, went to a window and looked
out, while her mother seated herself
near the center of the room in a gilt
armchair, mellowed with old Aubusson
I tapestry. Mrs. Palmer looked thought
fully at her daughters back, but did
not speak to her until coffee had been
brought for them.
Thanks" Mildred said, not turning,
IT don't care for any coffee, believe"
MOP" Mrs. Palmer said, gently.
I'm afraid our good-looking cousin
won't think you're very tall1auve,
Mildred. You spoke only about twice
at lunch. I shouldn't care for him to
get the idea you're piqued because he's
Z l., al
no. I shouldn't" Mildred an
| swered in a low voice, and with that
she turned quickly. and came to sit
near her mother. But it's what I am
afraid of! Mama. did you notice how
red he got?"
you mean when he was caught
not listening to a question Of mine?
/ Yes; it's very becoming to him"
/ Mama, I don't think that was the
| reason. I don't think it was because
he wasn't listening, I mean"
Il think his color and his not lis
tening came from the same reason"
Mildred said, and although she had
come to sit near her mother, she did
not look at her. Il think it happened
because you and papa" She
stopped.
"Yes?" Mrs. Palmer said, good
naturedly, to prompt her. Your
/ father and I did something embarrass-
ing?"
Mama. it was because Of those
things that came out about Alice
| Adams"
How could that bother Arthur
| Does he know her?"
Don't you remember" the daugh-
| Ter asked THE day after my dance
| I mentioned how odd I thought it
was in him-I was a little disap-
! pointed in him. Ia been seeing that
he met everybody, Of course. but she
was the only girl he asked to meet;
! and he did it as soon as he noticed
her. I hadn't meant TO have him
meet her-in fact, I was rather sorry
| Ia felt had 10 ask her, because she
oh, we'll. she's the sort that tries
| for the new man if she has half a
/ chance; and sometimes they seem
/ quite fascinated-for a time that is.
l thought Arthur was above all that;
or at the very least gave him credit
| for being too sophisticated"
/ 7 see, Mrs. Palmer said. thought
fully. Il remember now that you
spoke of it You said it seemed a
little peculiar, but of course it really
wasn't; n new man has nothing to
/ so by, except his own first impress
sions. You can't blame poor Arthur
she's quite a piquant-looking little
/ person. You think he's seen some
thing Of her since them"
/ Mildred nodded slowly. Il never
dreamed such a thing till yesterday,
and even then I rather doubted it
till he got so red, just now! 1 was
/ surprised when he asked TO meet her,
/ but he just danced with her once, and
didn't mention her afterward I forgot
all about tin fact, virtually forgot
all abOst her. I'd seen quite a little
Of her
Yes, said Mrs Palmer. "She did
keep coming here"
But I'd just about decided that it
really wouldn't do" Mildred went on
She isn't-wen, I didn't admire her"
/ mo" her mother assented. and evil
/ IDENTIFY followed a direct connection of
thought in a speech apparently irrele-
want. Il understand the young Ma
lone wants TO marry Henrietta I hope
she won't; he seem rather a gross type
of person
"Oh, he's just one" Mildred said.
'I don't know that he and Alice
Adams were ever engaged-she never
told me 50. She may not have been
engaged to any Of them; she was Just
enough among the other girls to get
talked abOut-and one Of the reasons
I felt a little inclined to be nice to
her was that they seemed to be rather
edging her out of the circle. 1t
wasn't long before saw they were
! right, though. I happened to mention
I was going to give a dance and she
pretended TO take it as a matter Of
course that I meant to invite her
brother-at least, I thought she pre-
tended; she may have really believed
t. At any rate, had to send him a
card; but didn't intend to be let in
for that sort of thing again, Of course.
She's what you said. pushing
though I'm awfuIly sorry you said it.
Why shouldn't I have said it. my
dear?"
"Of course. didn't say shouldn't 80"
Mildred evro1aiDaI cey-a x1aI1y at v,o-, -