The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-07-15


home. She felt his hand pressing
warmly on hers. He knew-knew
everything, perhaps. What message
could he have for her? From Lee
Whitman? From Barbara? They
had no word she wished to hear. For
himself?
She walked to the bureau, sudden
ly deciding to remain in her room,
leaving him standing there in the
middle Of the parlor. He had no
right visiting her.
She listened, wondering how long
he would wait. There was a picture
of Jonathan on small easel
against the mirror. The big, noble
eyes stared al her. She took it alb
ruptly and turned the face down.
A door banged, then the silence
thickened. 1t and the heaving of
her pulses made her uneasy. But
more than anything else it was
Jonathans picture upside down like
that.
Weak, evasive thing she was do
marck? Let him see her terror?
Let him know that he could drive
her into a panic?
With a little run she went to the
closet, grabbed her hat from the
shelf.
AS she came down the stairs, Luis
met her. He clasped her arm. She
looked straight before her, biting her
lips. When they reached the ma
chine, she said abruptly: What is
your message?"
The velvet brown eyes reproved:
why so hasty, Miss Bryce?" He
opened the door of his car, a long
her in.
She tapped her foot: mo, I am
not riding with you, Mr.. Lamarck.
told you I have another engage
ment. But you may speak now. No
one will overhear.''
A momentary spark flashed in the
soft eyes, but he said in the warm,
husky voice: That's not very kind,
Miss Bryce"
She gave no answer, but waited.
He became persuasive, then the
hand on her arm clasped and I'M
clasped gently. do you exactly
fancy standing at a curb, Miss
Bryce? I can not explain my Mis-
sion in a moment. Get in-do-we
shall only ride for half an hour"
Chickie said only: IF you wish
to speak to me, Mr.. Lamarck, then
do so-otherwise, shall go in
Each moment that the mans soft
glance went over her Chickie found
1t harder to stand there. She looked
down at the gravel, scraping it with
her toe. 1t was after 5. Boarders
were. returning for dinner. Each
one paused; shot furtive, curious
chances at the two of them.
Luis gave his bold, purring laugh,
squeezing her arm a little: mo,
really, Miss Bryce-are you afraid
Of being kidnapped"
She drew from him with a flash
Of anger: Good evening, Mr.. La
marck!"
He stared dumbfounded, swept his
hat low and got into the car. Erect
but shaking, Chickie walked up the
steps. The moment she was behind
the door she dashed-her eyes blind
ing.
She was spent; her thoughts
whirled. The amazement on his face
as she brushed from him daunted
her. Why had she done that? Be-
cause he had temporized? Because
ne had tried persuasion? She was
unable to answer, yet she felt JUS
titled.
On the following afternoon a letter
came. 1t was from him.
my Dear Miss Bryce:
Perhaps l should have better un-
derstood your mood last evening.
Will you pardon my thickness? But
I had no idea you were so opposed
to tri1ing nor that you were so
earnest in your refusal. / admit
that I am very much prejudiced in
my own favor as 1 was extremely
eager for the pleasure of a ride with
you. From our first meeting 1 have
wished for further acquaintance. I
did, however, have a message and
trust you will not misinterpret my
motives. am aware that you are
no longer working for your former
employer and also that business is
dull at present. I heard Of a first
class position with a good salary and
easy hours and thought you might