The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-05
CHAPTER XXI

The winter weeks slipped by in a
dream to Sonia She lost all sense
of time during the first month of
the year. She was surprised when
the office calendars said February.
Her days had been spent working
in dreamy preoccupation. Her nights
before the fire in the apartment or
dancing, always in Franklin's arms.
She had purchased material for
the new evening gown which her
mother had promised to make for
her. And some persistent trace of
the school girl Sonia had made her
spend much more than she had
planned on brocaded silver cloth.
Anna Immediately objected, writing
that it was too expensive and too
old for a young girl But 1t was
impossible to change it, so she was
forced to make it up. When the
dress came, Sonia drew it from it's
tissue wrappings, with, enraptured
eyes. 1t was her dream gown, made
simply, but with the alluring lines
Anna knew how to give. Sonia held
the shimmering creation against her
slender body.
tits perfect. [ wonder what
Franklin will say?"
When she wore it that evening
he stared at her in wonderment.
you're like the fairy princess
from some old Arabian fairy gale"
All she lacked was the emerald
Walter had bought for her. His
price was too high but she could
not resist closing her eyes and pic
turing it flashing against the silver
cloth.
That night when they had re-
turned very late to the apartment,
Franklin whispered, Sonia, you
have bewitched me. You are like
a poison in my blood. You're driv-
ing nee. mad"
Intoxicated herself with his pas
sionate phrases, she cried, "Oh, do
I really do all that to your"
He seized her, roughly, crushing
the new dress.
my God, yes! I can't sleep for
thinking about you. Something will
have to be done"
as your mother well enough to
tell?"
He groaned.
mo, but she is getting stronger
all the time. Darling, 1 can't wait
much longer"
'Neither can IT, she admitted,
naively. But we've been wonder
fully happy. It's been a perfect
month"
He was bordering, eyes remote. L
wonder-you won't misunderstood
me If ask you. this, Sonar"
Silly! What do you think I ann
Couldn't we have a weekend to-
gether at my shack over in Marin
county,"
Her eyes widened, but she did not
wish to appear shocked.
i "Alone?'
''Why not? We're going to be
married"
Delicious shivers chased up and
down her spine. But she answered
slowly. 1--WE don't want to be in
discreet"
'Tf you. loved me you wouldn't
think about that"
"But that's the very reason l do
If people began talking about us II
would cheaper everything"
sounds like a sentimentalist
Sonia. I thought you were past
that"
'tBut after ALL" she cried, eagerly
"if we are to be married, shouldn't
like to spoil things
Warnings Of Don's clamored In he1
ears. Maxine's words. "The minute
vou,re sweet to them-bing" She
dared not take any risk Of losing
him. She decided, wisely, that II
would be easier to hold him off than
to have to run after him.
She put one hand against his
flushed face.
Don't be angry with me, but
love you too much to take any
chances
He drew away from her.
I'm afraid you don't, love me al
ALL"
"Oh, Franklin"
"Well, you're too modern to be E
prude, Sonia. Our love is all thai
matters. There couldn't be anything
wrong If you looked at it like that. >
But she shook her head.
Don't try to persuade me, dear
Something tells me it wouldn't b.
best. I can't explain just how