The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-03-29
&c on WITH THE STORY FROM HERE
CHAPTER LXI

Half of Sandy's clothes, spread
out On chairs, were drying before
the FIRE; the other half she was iron
ing. In a closet she had found an
old lounging robe. This was
pinned rakishly about her. More
because she felt hostile and wished
to defy an imaginary Ben Murillo
than because she was enjoying
t<hem, she lit cigaret after cigaret
as she pounded the iron back and
forth over the white silk sport
dress. She talked to herself.
HE can advise me In matters of
propriety. Correct my unseemly
conduct"
The iron swinging In a long,
vicious stroke: ooh, what do I care?
Why should l think about it?" The
Iron slackening-tucks pressed down
with elaborate care. Better do 1t
well! Only rag you've got"
a#R
She hunched her elbows on the
board, resting her chin in her palms.
Saturday afternoon-a week gone; a
week since she'd run Sc wildly from
her home, putting her whole life
definitely behind her.
She didn't regret this step. She
was blazing, defantly exultant
about 1t. But now, staring at these
few fimsy clothes, the rather terri
flying poverty of her equipment for
a new and different life made her
suddenly very still.
Il can't stay on here forever" she
whispered.
"No-but you've got to stay until
you get some clothes-somewhere!
Why did you give Alice to under
stand that you'd grabbed a few
things? She would have sent you
some Of hers"
Ehe shrugged: IT wonder II I can
get a j0b?' This started O new train
of thought. She saw herself in the
f1ve-and-ten-cent store earning $3.50
a week. Bob Mcneil said that was
about the only thing she could do
unless she was prepared. The pic
ture was preposterous. Working be-
hind a counter all the rest of her life
-very likely:
Almost inaudibly she now whis-
pered; 81 a stay here until l get
the tipping down pat. Why can't l
stay here?" Immediately she grew
warm and her breath hurried. why
can't II" she repeated angrily. "Oh.
that old bunk, Men don't look at
things that way today l car stay
IL / want
Quickly, with a firm, challenging
step, she walked up and down the
long room, swinging her shoulders.
An ideal place to stay. Lucky she
had such a chance. AS safe here as
though she were buried
Her steps Jagged. She halted, an
image of Ramon as he kissed her
good-by confronted her. He had
laughed and flushed: Its a thrill
having you here, Sandy. 1t makes
me feel as though we're married
you In this house" She had
laughed, too, liking the warmth Of
his eyes. liking the fire that flew
along her nerves.
Well-what Of that. OF IRIS she
liked Ramon. She liked MANY
men. Easy for her to like them
She refused vigorously to go any
further with these thoughts. Satur-
day-he was coming to dinner. Eight
o'clock he would come walking in.
Her cheeks stained and hot, she
began t dress. She said: Lord,
it's quiet here! I wonder if there's
any mail
There were three letters, two from
Alice. The first caught Sandy like
4 spasm. .
The Jig is up Sandy" Alice had
this habit of making a startling re-
mark. following it up with goading
slowness. She had a n of dra-
matte, extremely irritating to her
listeners. THE jig is up. You're
husband knows you're all right. He
means to get you back by hook or
crook. III tell you how it happened.
Wednesday afternoon after he left
here, l dashed to your house, get
ting Name to drive me. But he'd
evidently raced back himself, for
he was there. ! saidSto him: Has
Sandy returned?'
His face looked as though it
were starched. No, she hasn't
Il said as though dying of alarm: