The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-01-23
ALICE ADAMS
bu BOOTH HARRINGTON
Copyright. 1921. by Doubleday. Page & Co.

telling US we can't know them. I
wonder if you"
She took up his thought before he
expressed it, and again he was fas-
cinated by her quickness. which In
deed seemed to him almost telepathic.
ooh, but don't we know one another,
thought she cried. "Such things we
have to keep secret-things that go
on right before your eyes,"
why don't some of you tell us?"
he asked.
we can't tell you"
Too much h~onour?"
mo. Not even too much honour
among thieves, Mr.. Russell. We
don't tell you about our tricks against
one another because we know it
wouldn't make any impression on
you. The tricks aren't played against
you, and you have a sSft side for
cats with lovely manners!'
What about your tricks against
us?"
"Oh. those"' Alice laughed. I'VE
think they're rather cute.'
Bravo" he cried, and hammered
the ferrule Of his stick upon the pave
ment
What's the applause for2"
For you. What you said was Ike
running up the black flag to the
masthead"
"Oh. 10. 1t IA just a modest little
sign in a pretty fower-bed: Gentle
men, beware!'
I see 1 must he said. CALAMITY.
Thanks, BUT I mean, beware of
the whole bloomin' garden" Then,
picking up a thread hat had almost
disappeared: You needn't think
you'll ever find out whether I'm right
about M1ldred's not being an excep-
ton by asking her" she said. "sho
won't tell you; she's not the sort that
ever makes q confession"
But Russell had not followed her
shift to the former topic. Mildred's
not being an exception" he said.
vaguely. Il don't
An exception about thinking she
could be a wonderful thing on the
stage if she only cared to. II you
asked her I'm pretty sure she'd say,
What nonsense Mildred's the dear
est. finest thing anywhere, but you
won't find out many things about
her by asking her"
RusselI's expression became more
serious, as i did whenever his cousin
was made their topic. You think
not?' he said. You think she's"
No. But it's not because she isn't
sincere exactly. It's only because she
has such a lot to live up to. She has
to live up to being a girl On the grand
style-to herself. I mean. of course"
And without pausing Alice rippled on,
You ought to have seen me when I
had the s~tage-fever I used &c play
Juliet all alone in my room She
lifted her arms in graceful entreaty,
pleading musically,
20. swear not by the moon, the
inconstant moon,
That monthly changes in her
circled orb,
Lest thy love prove"
She broke off abruptly with a little
flourish, swapping thumb and fore
finger Of each outstretched hand, Their
laughed and said. Papa used tc
make such fun Of me! Thank heav
en-, I was only Is; I was all over It by
the next year"
No wonder you had the fever
Russell observed. You do It beau
tifully. Why didn't you finish the
hne?"
Which one? Lest thy love prov,
likewise variable? Juliet was saying
it to a man, you know. She seem:
to have been ready to worry abou.
his constancy pretty early in theil
affair."
Her companion was again thought
full. YES" he said. seeming to b.
rather irksomely impressed with
Alice's suggestion. Yes; it does ap
pear So"
Alice glanced at his serious face
and yielded to an audacious tempta
ton. You mustn't take It so hard
she said, f~ippantly. 1T isn't about
you; it's only about Romeo anC
/ Juliet"
"See here!' he exclaimed. "Yor
aren't at your mind reading again
are you? There r times when i
won't do. you know
She leaned toward him a little, al
If cOmpaniOnably; they were walking
slowly, and this geniality Of her
brought her shoulder in light contac
with his for a moment. DO you dis
Ike my mind reading?" she asked
and, across their two Just touching
shoulders, gave him her sudden lool
Of smiling usefulness. DO yol
hate it,"
He shook his head. mo, I don't,
he said. gravely. It's quite pleas
ant. But I think it says, Gentlemen
bewarer"
She instantly moved from him, witt
the lawless and frank laugh Of on,
who is delighted to be caught in
piece of hypocrisy. How lovelyu.' sh,
cried. Then she pointed ahead. ''Ou
walk is nearly over. We're comm,
to the foolish little house where I live
It's a queer little place, but m,
fathers so attached to It the family
have about given up hope of gettinl
him to build a real house farther out
He doesn't mind our being extrava
CANT about anything else, but he won
let US alter one single thing about hi
precious little old house. Well!" Sh
halted, and gave him her hand
/ HAJForFB