The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-12-11

you would never understand. don't
understand it myself. Nor does he
the man, I mean, that I'm in love
with. You'll be kind to me, won't
you? You'll tell me why the money
was given me? You'll tell me what
I've done that's wrong, so that I
shall not do it again? I'll be any
thing you say, if I may have my
money, the money that has made
life so beautiful-with money and
my lover
Anything I say?"
Before his sudden thrusting back
at her those pleading words, she
shrank as il he had struck her.
Dazed again, she heard him say
ing: you may have your love.
my dear girl. / would not interfere
with that. It's you want, for
reasons and purposes of my own;
not your love. / know the one you
mean; I know the man to whom
you've given the love that neither
you nor he understands. Give it..
Let him have it. Take his in re-
turn if you can win it. All of that
shall he the bargain-a bargain of
today!
'"rhe morals of today, you know.
and the conventions, are not what
they were in the yesterday. You
are not the girl of yesterday, D, nor
your kind of love the sacrament that
1t used to be.
''I am asking you to be my wife
only. To give me yourself only.
You may give your love where you
want it to be received and take
whatever pleases you in exchange.
Surely you, who have played the
game of lure, will not shrink be-
fore the fame that your very
essence kindlesv'
Deep colors came and went across
her face. She closed her. eyes and
then opened them slowly, to quickly
shut them. For a moment she
seemed about to collapse again, but
instantly she recovered herself.
w llNll DIG ilClQ 4lC1 CyOS OpCA LAiCl q
was fire in them.
You mean" she said, that !
may marry you, but love some one
else and invite him to- love me?
That if l do that it will be-quite
all right, with you, by husband?
And that if 1 do all this, why, 1
may keep my money!"
Just THAR he answered shortly.
your money, and your love" When
she did not speak, at once, he went
on with merciless sneer:
1.-THE man you are thinking of
will not hesitate, \ imagine. to take
full advantage of such an arrange
ment. He has shown himself to be
amenable to any kind of conditions.
While we are here, tonight, he is
kneeling before satin slippers that
were never worn by your feet. You
have not done with him as you
would like to have done only because
he was afraid to bind himself to you.
Free him from that fear. and offer
him another way; and l fancy, he
will not be so elusive. Perhaps l
might add that by giving me your
self, as my wife, mind you, You will
not only retain your money, but you
will solve the problem Of retaining
himv'
She stared into his eyes for a
long time. then dropped into the
chair. would you mind" she asked.
ordering mo something to drink?
My throat is parched."
Then she buried her head In her
arms.
Without a word Brandon went to
the door and signaled the waiter
who had remained on the balcony in
the vicinity Of the door. The man
hurried away. Brandon returned to
the chair and stood by the side of
the limp form of the girl. He
touched her body relentlessly. She
put up her hand in mute appeal for
him to be silent. He hesitated, and
then, with a shrug Of his shoulders,
went to the fireplace.
When the waiter brought In the
champagne, with glasses arranged
on the tray, Brandon signed him to
deposit it ON the table, and waved
him ont of Tho v0nra Tnnnno cfirroI