The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-10-29

stand"
The hours crept by, When it
was o'clock. she Strengthened her
desk and went to the dressing room.
Ten minutes later they left the office
together,
He made no attempt to evade the
issue.
IS a. there is something
wrong?'
''There certainly is
''Well. let's get in the car and
ride. so we can talk. Unless you are
hungry"
Hungry? Sonia smiled.
mo. I'm not hungry"
They walked in silence to his car
Once out of the traffic, he swept
through the streets at a furious
pace. Not until they started to as
ce1d Twin Peaks did he ask for her
explanation
can right Let's have IT.
"Were you really in Los Angeles
with your mother?"
His charming mouth frightened
into hard lines.
80 that's the trouble? No, So.
MIA. I must admit that I was not"
Even then her heart gave a thrill
Of gratitude that he had not lied to.
her the second time.
Where were you, them"
Sounds like the inquisition. But
I suppose you're justified. I was
at a house party. A perfectly de.
cent, anemic house party, with chap
erons and everything"
And the girl you're engaged tor"
He started and threw her a mis-.
cradle, anxious. look.
who told you that?" -.
''It makes no difference where I
heard it," she answered in a hard.
little, voice. I'm asking you If It's
true"
Yes" he groaned.
Sonia said nothing. She had been
sure enough of it, but his own ad-
mission made it more sickeningly
definite.
Presently he said, Sonia, I owe
you an explanation"
"Not, at ALL" she said, proudly. II
want you to take me home"
We'll, I'm not going to-
SONIA he cried. IT am engaged
to Genevieve Erickson. I don't know
how you have found 1t out, but it
is true. would have told you soon,
only-oh. what's the use my trying
to explain when you are sitting
there hating me?"
i Can you blame me?"
mo. 1 see your point Of view
, But if you knew what a bloodless
arrangement this engagement is"
You made it, didn't you?"
I'm not sure that ! did" he re.
piled. bitterly my mother seems
to have had the biggest part in it.
2 Genevieve is a peach of a. girl. I
; might have been able to have mar.
rted her If hadn't known you. But
I didn't know you when it hap
pened, Sonia"
She still said nothing. taking ref
uge in one of her disconcerting ST.
lences. She realized that she was
, making 1t hard for him. He STUN.
bled on.
, IT love you, Sonia. I never. have
loved any one in my life as ! do you
You're like flame burning up my
neart. You're driving me
crazy. God, don't you realize what
, I've been through? The torture OF
making you love me, knowing that
in the end you we're bound to know
this ="
At his words Of love little shivers
swept over her. He was suffering
There was no doubt of that. Raw
emotion cut through, his voice. He
fumbled for her hand. blindly, as If
through tears.
Sonia. darling, don't doubt my
love for you. can't stand It. It's
the biggest thing in my life"
Her hand quivered in his.
kiss me. sweetheart Tell me in
spite Of it all you still love me.
admit l have been a cad not to tell
you. But it's because I loved you so
much. Nothing can make you doubt
that"
Her lips sighed into response. 1t
satisfy itself in spite of their sepa-
rate hurt and suspicion.
you do love me7"
''Oh, you know I do! But what
are we going to do?"
What can we do? I can't break
my engagement and go on living at
home"
Too desperate to remember her
pride, Sonia cried 'But IL we were
married you wouldn't have to go on
at home"
His arms frightened.
Darling I don't make enough
money to marry now"
TN not used to very much"
mo" he said. and his voice sound
ed strangely practical. Marriage
at this time would be impossible. My
! mother isn't well The shock might
kill her. She can't force me TO mar
ry any one else but the engagement
VIII have to remain as It Is. You
don't know my mother, Sonia"
She twisted away from him.
You mean to say the engagement
will go on2"
1T can't do anything else. But
swear I will not marry her."
She looked at him across a new
chasm of disillusion.
You would ask me to go on as
If nothing had happened, knowing
that every night you were not with