The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-08-04


I there's no room for me in your
busp'
There wasn't. 1t was piled high
with baskets and caterers boxes
and a great pile of yellow chrysan.
themums, peeping out from their
paper wrappings.
Tom grinned as he looked ct them
Just a few more things for the
wedding breakfast" he explained.
Your mother and I have had a cir
Gus fixing up the house all morning.
Just wait until you see it!'
The house, when she did see it,
was a bower Of flowers-dozens and
dozens of chysanthemums. white
and pink and golden yellow. Even
the staircase was decorated with
them. And' the air was heavy with
their pungent smell. "
"Oh, Tom she reproached. You
must have spent a fortune on
themw He grinped cheerfully.
well, you won't let me have a
wedding of my own. So / may as
well blow myself on somebody else's
wedding breakfast" he said. with
shrug.
He came closer. towering over
her. but not touching her.
Listen. Honey Rose, now that
you've left the Dexter Company
don't get another job. Marry me in
stead" he said, his eyes suddenly
very quiet and serious. will your"
He lifted her cold hand and bent
her long fingers one by one. They
weren't made to bang the keys of
typewriter" he added
Mary Rose laughed little. what
were they made for. them" she
asked. For cooking and baking
and"
For this" Tom broke In and
kissed them all, one after the other.
The door opened and Mrs. Middle
ton came in Behind her, Mary
Rose caught a glimpse of the din
Ing room table.
A cloth edged with heavy fiIet lace
covered it and it was banked high
with more of the chrysanthemums
There were tall white candles at
either end
How lovely it al is! I had no
look so beautiful" Mary Rose cried.
She drew her hand out of Toms
and ran out into the dining room.
why, lookeyl Even the sand
witches are all tied up with yellow
satin rihbonsr'
Tom did it all" Mrs. Middleton
told her. HE brought his mothers
cook along with him and her best
table cloth, and even some wine to
drink the brides health in! He's a
regular miracle man, tell him.
Il brought something else, too,"
Tom said in an undertone.
And when Mrs. Middleton had dis
appeared into the kitchen to give the
cook some last nervous orders. he
showed Mary Rose what that some
thing else" was
He brought it slowly cut from his
rooketZa tiny circle of platinum,
crusted with little didmonds-a
wedding ring.
Mary Rose took 1T from him. With
in its narrow band was engraved the
legend T. F. to NJ r. NJ. Nov. IA"
She looked UP at him with wide.
startled eyes why, that's today
Nov. 14r' she said
ct know it~ He nodded and his
rudy face became even more rudy
tina nusual as a flush Of embarrass-
SHUTTER as he always did when he
was nervous or shy.
IT th-thought you might MN
marry me today-just b-by some
wild ch-chancer' he exploded 'eSee2"
Almost before the words were out
Of his mouth, she was shaking her
head Then she threw it up with
quick, impatient movement.
atom. must you spoil this perfect
ly good friendship of ours all the
time like this?" she asked.
He smiled at her. There's no
such thing as friendship between a
man and a womar>when they're as
young as we are" he said. ANY
doctor can tell you that! A man
either loves a woman and wants
her-or she doesn't exist for him.
Mary Rose, I'm beginning to think
you are as cold as ice. I don't be-
lieve you know the meaning of
love"
Yet whatever she was-cold or not
he loved her. And even though he
knew that beyond friendliness, she
cared nothing for him. he would