The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-04
By Vida Hurst

had attained also a protective self
control.
She had left her name at Frank
Inns home-a direct challenge, which
if he chose to neglect she could not
pursue. 1t was up to him.
She retired early and dropped into
deep slumber.
Before she was out of bed the
next morning her telephone was
ringing. Her heart gave a throb
of joy as she answered. He cared
enough to call.
She said, Franklin, I'm leaving
for Stockton this afternoon. Am 1
to go without seeing your"
do you want to see me. Sonar"
"Of course L do. 1 have several
things to tell you"
His voice was without life as he
suggested the States, at noon.
Seated In q BOOM, marked New
Jersey, which brought no smile from
either of them, Sonia began to talk.
She was startled at his indifference.
His attitude was almost pathetically
resigned.
II was worried about you Thurs
day night" Sonia admitted. did
you get to the shack all right?"
He looked up as If from trance.
"Oh, yes. I made 1t all right"
II didn't know but that the
rain would make 1t hard for you"
THE rain?" His shiver was scarce
ly perceptible. 1T was a bad night"
Franklin" she said, gently, you
aren't angry with me?"
Angry with YOU?" She trem-
bled before the magic sweetness of
his voice. Sonia, darling, 1 couldn't
be angry with you If you plunged
knife deep into my heart"
She leaned across the table then
to whisper, you think I'm married
to Walter Henderson, but I'm not"
you are not married to Hender-
SOM"
Sonia smiled, sadly. mo. It's DR..
Don saltwater, from my own town"
His eyes stared at her. He re-
peated almost stupidity, You're not
married to Henderson,"
mo, but after all, the fact Of my
marriage is unchanged. It doesn't
matter who it Isl
mo, Of course not. It doesn't
matter"
How terribly upset he must have
been. To be so nervous! The hand
that lifted his glass of water shook
visibly.
Franklin" she said, earnestly.
IT suppose it's unreasonable to hope
that you can understand the rea-
son back of all this. But you GER
tainly know 1t wasn't because I
didn't care for you. :"
His understanding nod was so free
from bitterness that 1t brought a sob
to her throat. With an effort she
went on, II thought you didn't real
ly love me. I was terrified with
the shock of Maxine's death. It
seemed then that L was through with
excitement forever. All 1 wanted
was to be safe and protected"
He said, then, you needn't ex-
plain your motives, Sonia. I know
exactly how you felt"
The waiter served their order.
When he had left, she continued:
'But you don't understand that ours
is not real marriage. Oh, It is
legal enough. But entered it self
ishly and 1 couldn't go on with It.
Don has gone to Berlin for the sum-
mer and has promised to release me
when he comes home"
Her words did not have the effect
she had anticipated.
I'm going away, too" he said,
drearily. Mother and I are going
for a trip right away
Where, Franklin"
"Oh, across the ocean somewhere.
I don't care"
She asked through lips determined
to smile: Are you going on account
of me?"
Partly. Mother is glad enough
to take me. She feels it will settle
th'ngS."
you asked her to take your"
yes"
After a moment he asked: What
are you going to do in Stocktona"
How could she tell him that she
had planned to wait there for him?"
Nothing much, guess"
% How can you endure to go back?
I thought you had always hated it?"
II do" she admitted. But It was
Don's one condition when he left"