The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-06-28

r firm.
I But nevertheless a queer little
! pang Of disappointment shot through
| her few minutes later, when she
went into the back parlor with
| plate OF cookies and some lemonade.
For Flossie and Tom were both try
ing to play card on the same ace,
and above the table their hands had
met-and held
Flossie pulled hers away with a
giggle of embarrassment as Mary
Rose came into the cozy little room
with its lamplit table and it's rows
Of books. it's bright cushions and
vases of flowers from Mary Roses
tiny garden at the back of the
house.
And that night when Tom had
gone and the two girls were in the
kitchen washing up the plates and
lemonade glasses, Flossie spoke
about it to Mary Rose.
do you know, it's the funniest
thing-but If tell lie, it nearly
always comes true" she said sol
emily.
Then as Mary Rose made no an
swer she went on to explain what
she meant: 1.-THE other day, just
in fun. was telling mother that
Tom had little case on me. And
it certainly begins to look as If he
has, doesn't it?"
Mary Rose went on scalding
dishes. Does it?" she asked, in
differently.
well, you ought to know, You
saw him trying to hold my hand to-
night when we were playing cards!"
Flossie answered sharply.
Mary Rose laughed. II thought
you were holding his. That's the
way it looked to me"'
She turned suddenly, and looked
at Flossie with great seriousness in
her lovely eyes.
Now, look here. l know all your
little methods Of man-catching, Flos-
sie-and I know exactly how pretty
you are and how attractive you are
to men, to most men. And If you
care for Tom, and if you can get
him, you're welcome to him. she
said, polishing a plate that was al
ready shining.
FIossie broke in with her light
little laugh that was like the sound
of wavelets breaking on a sandy
beach. why, don't care for Tom,
Lamb Child" she answered gayly.
1.-THE only man in this wild world
that 1 care flip about is Sam Jes
sup. l wonder where Sam was to-
night. Funny that he didn't call
up"
Mary Rose turned out the light
and they went upstairs through the
dark house. When they reached
their room, she went straight to the
bottom drawer of the old walnut
dresser and opened it.
1t was in this drawer that she and
Flossie kept their party clothes
and from under filmy chiffon pet
ticoat she took small white box.
1t was the jewelers. box that Flos-
sic had asked her to hide "a week
before.
eff you think so mach of Sam Jes-
sup, what are you doing with this
ring Of Mr. Dexter's?" she asked,
opening it SO that the star sapphire
and the little diamond shone like
two eyes on the white velvet lining
Flossie turned deep shade of
pink. ooh, I forget about THAI ring"
she bi eathed. II meant to tell you
about it. He sent it back to me
the day after you returned it to
him, and I've been wondering what
to do with it ever since"
you've got to give it back to
him!' Mary Rose answered, frown-
ing. "You won't even have to ex-
plain why you're doing It! He knows
he shouldn't give you thing like
that-or anything else! These roses
he sends you Mother thinks Toms
sending them to you'll She thinks
Toms fallen victim to your
wiles-'
Flossie laughed. IT know it. Isn't
it rare?' she asked as she ran wet
comb through her permanent"
wave to make it curlier than ever.
She stood before the mirror of the
old dresser, turning her head this
way and that, as she combed her
hair. She widened her eyes and
then shut them almost, SO that they
were only a cleaning line between
her 1ashes.
IT am pretty!' she said, as if she