The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-07-17

ter if it were to have a fate like
hers?
Strange how things turn out
stranger still how things are judged.
Mary had a child, and every one re-
joiced. Chickie had a child. For
this she was now in exile; because of
this her face was slapped, and any
one who wished could point to her
with scorn.
1t would never end. She thought
her own calm faith; be deaf to the
worlds opinion that it might not
beat her down.
Easier to write that than to fol-
low it. She went back to the office,
locked the door. She smiled bitterly
doing this, for it, too, was an eva
sion. She should leave it wide open.
If Luis Lamarck entered, then up
with her fist and strike. Ho-
She had no visitor that day nor
the next. Edgeman wired that he
was delayed. He asked that notes
and papers be sent to him and out
lined work for her to do. She was
relieved.
Wednesday at o'clock the knob
of her door turned. When it resisted
a key slipped gently into the lock.
Chickie trembled, half with fear,
half with a furious indignation.
Lamarck, smoothly unaware Of
her hostility, entered. "Ah, my dear
Miss Bryce It's an hour past your
quitting time" He looked very
suave and luxurious. AS he passed
her desk he offered her a chocolate
from a bag he held in his hand.
Chickie gave an impulsive laugh.
Luis went into the smaller room and
became very busy with a stack of
racy French magazines. He sat in
a chair facing her. Now and then
she felt his soft eyes. But when she
was leaving, a half hour later, he
said, gracefully, eau revoir," and
went on with his reading.
She was abashed by her hot sus-
picions and decided to dismiss Luis
Lamarck from her thoughts. But
the following day he arrived in the
morning.
At noon when she was leaving for
lunch he picked up his hat and
walked at her side. AT the sidewalk
he said: Il have my car. Shall we
ride?"
She gave him an astonished
glance, saying hastily: Just as you
like" and would have rushed on,
but he shrugged and timed his pace
to hers. Chickie turned down a
street and as though she were alone,
dallied at the shop windows.
Luis said: II know a nice, home
like place at the end Of the block,
Shall we dine there?"
II don't dine at noon. I walk"
His bold, purring laugh sang soft
ly: "Bien. 1t will improve my figure,
too! You don't really mind my es-
cort, Miss Bigger"
She answered stif1y: IT thought
l made it very plain, Mr.. Lamarck."
''Yes-but you haven't a ban on
conversation as we'll as on lunch?
1 may offer you some talk?" They
were standing before an art store.
The windows had an exhibit Of for
eign sketches. Luis pointed out one.
THE square. Quite fine, isn't it?
Have you ever been to Venice?"
Chickie thought oppressively:
What shall I do? How shall I
treat him."
Luis had taken her arm and was
talking in very entertaining fash
Ion, telling Of his visits to Europe
before the war. you would enjoy
Paris, Miss Bryce. There they know
how to live One doesn't make a
tragedy Of a trif1e. 1t is the real
mecca of the free
Her cheeks were blazing lie
turned back toward the office.
Luis said, II have some snapshots
took Of those same scenes. They
are with my books. l must show
them to you. Remind me the next
time I come in.
The lightness of his mood baff1ed
her. She said to herself. HE is
merely trifler. I have no poise. I
won't think Of it at ALL"
Yet she did. Every time her door
opened-for 1t was useless to lock it
"a blaze of color swept into her
cheeks.