The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-06-24

telephone Mr.. Dexter, or did he
phone your"
Flossies clear blue gaze never
wayered. 1t became more innocent
than ever. 'Why-what are you
talking about?" she asked.
The older girl made an impatient
movement with her head. Now,
don't try to hedge, Floss. Tell the
truth, for once. You may as well,
for I happened to be on the wire
just now, and I heard you talking
to him."
Are you going to meet him at 4
o'clock this afternoon" Mary Rose
asked.
Flossie< put her head on one side,
and thought this over, evidently.
She began to pile all her little clip
pings neatly together, and put them
into large manila envelope. Then
she raised her limpid eyes to her Sis
ter.
why, yes, I thought I'd see him
just once more" she answered.
There are two or three things I
want to talk over with him. But
III be home in time for supper"
And with that Mary Rose had to
be satisfied
Flossie was as good as her word.
AT half-past six, just as Mary
Rose had set the table with cold
boiled ham, lettuce sandwiches and
tcea tea, the screen door slammed
and she came in.
Il deserve a gold medal for com
ing home to this she said good
naturally, as she looked over the
table. II could have stayed out in
the country for a chicken dinner at
some roadhouse or other, with his
Nibs!"
Mary Rose smiled at her as she
passed the plate of sandwiches. I'm
glad you didn't" she answered
II had lunch today with. Sam"
Flossie said presently. when they
had finished the simple meal and
were sitting out on the front steps
in the GOODNESS of the twilight. "And
he thinks it would be nice if we'd
have a picnic on Sunday and go
swimming in Yellow Creek. How
does that appeal to you?"
"Muchly-I'll go and phone Tom
and ask him to go" Mary Rose
began, when the telephone inside the
house rang. Perhaps that's Tom
now. He usually calls at this time
But it was not Tom Fitzroy. The
voice that answered her was John
Manners voice!
you've been so very distant and
business-like with me, lately" he
said, that I'm almost afraid to ask
you if you'd like to go for a bit of
a drive with me this hot night"
If he could have seen his secre-
tary at that moment he would have
thought her anything but business
like. AT the sound Of his voice, her
cheeks had colored to the deep pink
of Dorothy Perkins rose, and her
eyes had become dark blue stars.
I'D love tor she answered, and,
even over the telephone wire the
breathless eagerness in her voice
must have thrilled him little.
So long as she lives, Mary Rose.
Middleton will always remembersthat
night-the fragrant wind that lifted
her hair, as she sped along at John
Manners side, the purple darkness,
the stars like fireflies in the sky
above them.
: i've been weeks making up my
mind to do this" ne said to her aft
err a quarter of an hour of silence.
Far behind them was the town, and
before them the open country spread
out like great fan, painted in the
somber colors CT the night
ITO do what? To take me for
drive in your carp" she asked, trying
to make her voice light and careless
You know that isn't what !
meant
His tone was sharp, almost as if.
he We're angry with her. With a Sud
den twist of his hands, he turned the
car in toward the side of the grassy
road and shut off the motor.
Talk better this way" he ex-
planned shortly, and turned facing
her.
1.-THE last time I talked to you I
told you that some time l wanted
to tell you how things stood between
me and-and Miss HING" he went
on. but you've never given me a
chance to do it."
We've seen each other every day
at the Office she parted.
THAT doesn't count. At the of
flee, we're part of the machinery of
the Dexter Company-you and l.
he said, surprisingly. She had often
thought of herself as part of the
machinery-buts she had always seen
Manners as he was. John Manners,
not only the sales manager, but the
incest man she had ever known, be-
sides!
And she said this to him now. 1t
took courage to say it.
I'm glad you do like me-" he an
swered, ALMOST hrmbly, land hope
you still will ike me after say