The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-06-09
CHAPTER V

Mary Rose had no answer to give
him. he sat perfectly still in her
corner of the car. And Tom said
nothing more, but looked grimly
aLead of him until the wheels
crunched on the gravel driveway of
the Pepper Eot restaurant.
Then as he opened the door and
she stepped cut. he took hold of
both of her slim wrists and drew
her slowly toward him. Mary Rose
could feel that he trembled-could
feel his breath on her cool cheek.
Look here, why do you act this
way?" he asked. why do you-
freeze up when 1 kiss you? You say
me touch YOU
With sudden passion he drew her
closer. But before he could touch
her lips Mary Rose pulled herself
away from him.
Don't, Tom, everybody'll see
you:' she said sharply, and started
for the long, low white building
whose windows CLAIMED like squares
of gold against the darkness. He fol
lowed her..
There's nobody around to see us"
he said sullenly. And if you gave
{ a snap of your fingers about me, you
wouldn't care if there was! Look
outr'
A huge Dexter automobile, with
tlazing headlights, rushed past them,
its wheel grazing Mary Roses skirts.
Tom looked after it wrathfullly as it
swerved into the farthest corner of
the yard and came to a dead stop.
THE fool. He almost hit you."
he exclaimed. holding Mary Rose
close. "Why doesn't he watch
where he's going"'
But Mary Rose wasn't listening
Her eyes were on the car. She knew
trimmings! 1t was a special Dexter
Eight and it belonged to Hilary H.
Dexter himself.
II must be sure to tell Flossie that
she's not the only girl who runs
around with Hilary DeXter. she
thought. 81 wonder who's with him
tonight in that car Of his?"
IL was llOL QItll Sic anu IOIIl were
sitting across from each other at a
little corner table that another
thought struck her. Suppose it were
Flossie who was with Dexter, now,
tonight!
Excuse me a minute, Tom" she
said. jumping up. 81 want to go
into the dressing room to powder
my nose"
Tom rose, too. and I was Just
thinking that you were the only girl
know who doesn't make up her
face every fifteen minutes" he said
regretfully.
Mary Rose flashed a smile at him
and was gone.
The dressing room was at the end
of a long, narrow hall that ran from
one end of the farmhouse to the
other. AS Mary Rose walked toward
it she saw that there were little pri-
vate dining rooms on either side. The
door of one of them stood open and
as she passed it Mary Rose caught
a glimpse of man and girl within.
Nov, why do they eat in there
when they could be out in the big
room where the crowd and the mu-
sic are?" she wondered. II don't see
what fun there is in coming to a
place like this and then having sup
per in a poby little ROOM
The dressing room was big, bare
place, with uncarpeted floor and plas-
tered walls that were none too clean.
On a table in the corner stood the
telephone.
Mary Rose gave her mothers num-
Der, and in minute Mrs. Middle
toms soft voice answered her. "Yes?"
This is Mary Rose, Mumsie.
Could I speak to Flossie?'
why she's not here" her mother
answered. "She went out about half
an hour ago. >But I expect her back
Any minute"
Where did she go? DO you
know"
ITO the library for a book" the
soft voice went on. "Alice James
stopped in about o'clock and she
and Floss left the house together
just while ago. She'll be back
soon, I'm sure, because she knows
that super's ready. Is there any
message for her, Mary Rose?"
''N-no, L just wanted to speak to
her." the girl answered. You're
sure she went to the library?"
why, yes, Of coursev' Mrs. Mid
dleton's tone was crisp Shall tell
heriy called when she comes in?"
mo, don't bother-I'll call later"
Il don't see why you can't give me
any message you have for her, Mary
Rose" she said IT don't like you
girls to have secrets from me. Good
by" The receiver clicked in Mary
Roses ear.
girl stopped and looked out of a
chintzdraped window that faced the
yard of the inn. The big Dexter car
still stood in it's dark corner She
could see it's hulk outlined against
the white palihgs of the fence.
But Hilary Dexter was not in the
main room with it's polished dance
floor. its little white tables and the
yellow lamps that bloomed on them
like flowers.
r'I suppose he's taken a private
dining room" Mary Rose decided.
1T took you a long time to powder
your nose" Tom said, as she sat
down in the chair across from him.
1.-THE soups getting cold"
With flourish he took the cover
from the tureen and served Mary
Il;
II can't think of anything nicer
than to have supper with you every
night, all the rsst of my life," he
went on, showing his white teeth in
a grin But his eyes were serious.
M L.