The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-11-19

particularly, for an instant that
barely could have been measured
on smartly silken knee, hardly yet
escaped from the angular sharpness
that is youth-Abut threatening tt
come out altogether from within the
confines of modishly meager dress
His glance, sweeping upward in its
| lightning appraisals, lowered joy
ously upon her mouth, that was al
most round because Of the full
scarlet curving of the lower lip and
the deep, perfect bow Of the upper
one-a splash Of color as If some
one had crushed a red rose there
She knew what he was doing. She
felt his eyes wherever they rested
Not a muscle of her twitched, but
she was conscious of an exquisite
thrill of satisfaction with herself.
The knee had never before, upon
such an occasion-and why were
skirts worn short and lips shaped
like roun drose buds, and gown
fashioned so carefully, if not for
open considerations?-the knee had
never been so beautifully sheathed in
a silk so perfect, and the lips never
SO deftly toned and balanced.
When he was satisfied of his OBJ
servations, which occupied hardly
more than brief hesitation, Lord
Teddy moved closer on the cushioned
divan-only the knee, which was
crossed and pointed his way, halted
him. His voice, when he spoke, was
little above a murmur.
Please" he pleaded, don't let us
pretend. It's much nicer not to,
really. You do it splendidly, but you
couldn't be wholly successful. When
woman has had SO much expert
ence, old enough, you know, so that
man knows there's nothing new
under either the sun or the moon
for her, then she has to pretend that
she hasn't yet learned that every
thing is what it is and not what g
in copy books. If she didn't she'd
be too forbidding, so we know she's
serious about it. But when lovely
girl makes believe she doesn't under
stand everything and everybody we
know she's just hooking. Because
she thinks she does, anyway. Don't
your"
Joanna regarded him deliberately,
frankly initiating his own examina-
ton of her moment before. Yes, ="
she said, her inscrutable smile play
ing upon him. Then you have a
way with you-as a teacher. I sup
pose you've a diploma,or some good
references, or things like that?"
His ready laughter dubbed through
his mask of seriousness.
"Only experience my lovely
joanna" he said, finding her hand
among the cushions and taking pos
session Of it with both of his own.
My experience will have to be your
guide, and yours my ambition"
When he finished he gave her limp,
fragile fingers confidential pressure
and looked into her own shining eyes
with a deep shoulder in his. She
seemed to be unconcerned about her
hand. She even moved her knee, a
little, to help him out down the space
between them. She said, then:
1--WE seem to be making a bargain
of some sort. When you happen to
think about 1t, tell me what 1t is,
won't you? The best I can get out
of 1t Is that you want to be a guide
and you've exhibitions Of some kind
I like ambitions tremendously. It's
so much fun f1attening them outr'
YES" he admitted. You'd fiat
ten out almost anybody, I should
imagine. You wouldn't be afraid Of
missing anything. That's why I'd
like it awfully if" She nodded
at him. II know" she finished for
him. IF I'd give you my other
hand, too, and let you fill up the
rest Of the distance between us. Then
you could tell me just how pretty
you think am, and how you've al
ways been crazy about hair like
mine and you'd like to run your fin
gers through it, and maybe you'd
have something now along that line
that d never heard before and then
you'd end up by saying I was just
made for somebody to love lot and
you're somebody. Have I forgotten
anything?"
mot thing" he declared. when
do we begin?"