The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-27

Faith, cutting thin slices OF her
newly baked peanut butter bread
and pruned nut bread, for the in
evitabIe refreshments" to be served
later, smiled little wistfully as the
shrill clatter and clamor Of girlish
voices penetrated to the kitchen. she
ached to join them, to laugh loudly,
to thrill her own comments, say
daring. clever things that would
make them laugh. But she knew SAD
ly, that when she did join them there
would be first a constrained lull,
then a renewal of the clatter,
tightening of the circle of intimacy
outside which she would stand, hurt.
But Bob loves me-" she whisper
ed to herself. Bob didn't choose one
of those bright, laughing, pretty lit
tie things. He chose me. MY darling
Bob!'
Gimme a stuffed olive, Faith,
fore you out 'em all up for the sand
wiches," Joy pressed close against
the kitchen table, her sharp gray
eyes watching with greedy interest.
after that big supper you alter
Faith ansrewed automatically
Here you can have one Of the incest
sandwiches I've made"
And because she was so happy IN
her secret knowledge of Bob's love,
she bent and kissed the tip of joys
little freckled snub nose.
at think YOU'RE prettier'n anybody
In the world" Joytold her suddenly,
looking up at Faith with something
like awe in her sharp eyes as II she
were seeing her sister for the first
time. You're all SHINY in your eyes
like you knowed a secret you amt
gonna tell-three little niggers In a
peanut shellp' she chanted.
mot prettier than Cherry" Faith
laughed with deep note Of joyous
ness.
yeah, heaps prettier than Cher
ry," Joy nodded solemnly, as she
crunched her irregular, pointed little
teeth into the thin, dainty sandwich.
"Cherry's like a Christmas tree-you
know - Cutlery and sparkly-and
showy-off. But you-you're ezacHly
like one of our Perry pictures we
bought at school for fifteen cents.
Joy blushed richly at the enormity
Of her own self-revelation, but Faith
wise in the ways Of children, took it
casually, so as not to embarrass or
fighten her suddenly articulate little
sister.
THAT'S the incest thing anyone
ever said to me, money. Now you
can lick the bowl, If you'll wash up
for me. I've got to go put on my
bridesmaid dress. We're all going to
dress up, Just as we'll be on the night
Of Cherry's wedding, you know, and
IL you'll hurry and finish UP in here,
you can see us. But then you must
60 right off to bed"
AS she had expected. the Joyous.
excited clamor in Cherry's bedroom
died down when she appeared at the
door. But they did not ignore her.
We've just been going into posi-
tive spasms over Cherry's trous-
seau." Selma Pruitt said. ''She has
so many gorgeous things that Fran
ces and are trying to split 1t three
ways and get married, too. All we
lack are the men, And the three
rocked with laughter.
Lets dressF Cherry cried, when
the tunult had subsidized.
my dress is in my ROOM" Faith
made herself heard over the hubbub
of voices. TN dress and be out in a
fifty"
Selma and Frances were Juggling
at strings about gigantic suit-boxes,
which contained their bridesmaid
dresses. Make 1t snappy, old dear!"
Selma called out shrilly.
Faiths fine body had been reduced
five pounds by the strenuousness, the
worry and excitement Of the past
two months, and it was a figure al
most slender enough to be called
wfllowy that wes soon encased in the
go1d-colored taffeta. The soft rich
taffeta was exactly the color of the
California poppy-a rich, pure, gold
en- yellow. In contrast was the deep
capeItke bertha Of silver lace, en-