The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-10-26
CHAPTER xxi

eve was huge success. Sonia
found herself little bored with the
noisy demonstration Of the children.
Or, perhaps it was PauPs capers
in whiskers and great coat as Santa.
The bells he persisted in shaking
tangled upon her nerves.
That he could be so playful and
full Of spirit, while Vera looked
scarcely able to stand. seemed un-
tude for their Chinese gifts touched
her, as did their generosity. They
had put their money together and
bought her a fur. She knew the
price Of that gift was genuine sacri.
flee.
81 must be better to them" she
thought. 'The least can do is tell
them about my good times"
At midnight she walked home
arm-in arm with her father. His
blue eyes we're trimming with hap.
piness
TITS so nice to have you back.
honey" he whispered, kissing her
good night.
Alone In her room she immedi.
ately forgot all of them. There was
only time then for Franklin Crane.
With his wrist watch ticking against
her cheek she fell asleep
Christmas day Sonia remembered
her resolution. She helped her
mother with the dinner, which had
been neglected the day before that
Anna might finish dress for the
minister's wife. Sonia made cram
berry jelly. helped stuff the turkey
and set the table.
For once in it's life the sewing
machine is going to be closed all
day." she said, gayly.
All the scraps of material were col
lected and put out of sight. She hid
the pincushion In a drawer She
decided that no amount of cleaning
could make the living room anything
but ugly. The drab wallpaper and
faded green and brown carpet. were
past any regeneration.
yet mother loves beautiful
things. too" she thought, with a
lump in her throat. watching the
slim, well-shaped figure busting
about the kitchen.
IT could make dress" her moth
err said, nervously, "easier than I
can cook this dinner"
Sam sitting in dissipated aban'
don at o'clock of Saturday morn
ing, smiled genially.
"This is something like It., EN-
mother? To have our girl with us
again and be able to stay home nj
day?"
He smoked his pipe and read his
weekly religious paper.
Seems to me you're looking
mighty sweet this morning" he said
to Sonia.
She kissed the top of his thin hair
Don't I always?"
He seized her hand and pulled
her around in front of him.
Where did you get that, Sonia?'
That's pretty fine watch, amt it?'
isn't it pretty? One of the sales
men in the office gave it to me-
Instantly he took alarm.
Pretty expensive present. What
kind of man is this salesman"
Now, daddy, just a nice young
man"
whats his name?''
She told him. feeling the color
surge into her cheeks.
well, ! don't think much of 8
girls accepting presents like this
from man unless she's engaged
Don't be silly, darling. 1t doesnt
mean anything, All the girls do it.
He regarded her with anxious
eyes.
you aren't engaged, are you So
nia?"
II should say notr'
well, then, mother, what do yor
think Of it?"
81 don't think it matters much,
Anna said, slowly so long as she
behaves herself"
well" he said, proudly, sucking
in on his old pipe, II guess our Sonia
does that"
Always they came back to that
Sonia sighed. She wondered why
nothing else seemed to really mat
ter.
At noon Vera and her family
came. The children dragged arm
loads of toys with them. Paul was
bright and cheerful in a new tie hi;
wife had given him.
Even Vera seemed less exhausted
than she had the day before.
You sit down in that chair,
commanded Sonia "And don't le
me catch you in the kitchen or run
ming after the children. This is t.
be your day of rest"
So Vera sat by her father in tn,
living room. looking through hel
mothers magazines. asking con
slant questions OF Sonia.
"Are the girls wearing theil
dresses awfully short in San Fran
cisco?"
What movies have you SEEM"
Sonia did YOU hear about Sid
ney?"
Altogether 1t was satisfactor.
family day. Sonia drank deeply o
The potion Of love they held to her
ii was nice to be so interesting an,
so admired, even IL it was littl
wearing.
II haven't had chance to thinl