The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-02

DAY AFTERNOON u TAKE OhSAAJ ANi q
drive in his limousine, there was
nothing in his ceremonious, affec-
tionate greeting to indicate that he
had been seriously troubled by his
daughters efforts to blacken Cherry
in his eyes.
Faith watched them leave, her
heart heavy with new despair. All
during the interminable' night that
had followed the dreadful scene be-
tween Cherry and Bob Hathaway,
she had chung fast to the hope that
no matter at what cost to her pride,
Cherry's engagement would be
broken. She had not for a moment
believed that the dignified old man
would forgive the headstrong girl
for the scene she had created in the
library of the Marlborough Country
Club. But Bob Hathaway's stam-
hered, incoherent explanation of that
scene, made to his cousin, Mrs. ALI
bright, had evidently been dragged
out of the indignant woman by her
father and believed with a blind and
foolish trust. How could a clever
lawyer, no matter how advanced his
age. believe that absurd story of
Bob's-that Cherry had been "act-
ing" an account Of her aged suit
or's wooing?
The telephone had been ringing
almost constantly since 10 o'clock.
Aunt Hattie had demanded full de-
tails and had been acidly amused
by them; old school friends of Cher
rvs and Faiths had called to con-
graduate her, amusement poorly
concealed under their gushing SEN
fences. Chester Hart had called and
clustered, while Cherry's tinkling
laugh rang out in amused diclaimer
that she had meant anything" by
letting him make love to her. Bill
and Frances Warren had both tele-
phoned, and faith, overhearing
Cherry's end of the conversation
with Bill, concluded that the in
corrigible little fiirt had halfway
promised herself TO him also. George
Pruitt had telephoned, and had
asked Faith to come to tea with the
family that afternoon. She had &C
copied, because, although she dread
ed the ordeal Of meeting outsiders
who would be consumed with curios-i
ty about her sister'si engagement,
she dreaded even more the order of
staying with her anxious. silent par
ents, and answering the incessant
ringing of the telephone.
I'D ~
and beaten, had refused. in angry
silence. to read the paper, and had
shut himself up in the bedroom he
shared with his wife, the big family
Bible open on his knees. Mrs. Lane.
however, took much the same sort
of pride in the front page fame as
Cherry had, reading and re-reading
the account, flushing and muttering
at the same passages that had
aroused Cherry's anger, and smiling
furtively with pleasure at the com
pliments to her daughter.
HE must be a mighty big man"
Mrs. Lane said TO Faith, when she
had read the account for the third
time. At always did say Cherry
could marry any man she picked
out. 1t may turn out fine. Faith.
He's certainly a perfect gentleman,
and the paper here says he's esti-
mated to be worth between three
and five million dollars. Cherry
thought he had only one million,
didn't she?"
1.-THE paper probably has exagger-
ated, Mother" Faith turned her eyes
away to hide the shame and disgust
she could not help feeling
George Pruitt came for her at Al
To Faiths intense relief he acted ex-
actIy as usual-cheerful. casual
openly affectionate to JOY. Mrs.
Lane and Faith herself. And he did
not say a word about Cherry's en-
gagement.
Mother wants to meet you, Mrs.
Lane" George sat down on the dav-
export beside her and laid an arm.
with easy Familiarity across the
broad, billowing shoulders OF the
pleased and fiattered invalid. "She
wants to call and take you out driv-
ing in her own car. It's all dolled
up with silk curtains and plum-col-
ored cushions. but don't hold that
against it. It's comfortable. and I
don't believe 1t would hurt you a bit
to take long country drive"
"That'd be real nice" Mrs. Lane
beamed on him. OF all the young
men who came and went so familiar.
ly in the little Myrtle st. house, she
liked him best. for he treated her
exactly is if she were one of the
girls. as she had often remarked to
Faith and Cherry. At guess a lot
of people that didn't know where
Myrtle st. was will be looking up
this number now" she added COM
placently.
WED better go. George" Faith
interposed hastily. ashamed of being
ashamed.
"And oh. by the way. Mrs. Lane.
George rose, patting her hands
clasped loosely in her lap. "Selma Il
in charge of pageant that the Big
Sisters League is getting up for