The Indianapolis times., 1926-10-15


"Are you staying over tonight,
Dad?"
His face beamed.
eyes. Sid Owens gave me two
days off. I thought that was pretty
fine of him."
Sonia's heart sank. Her eyes met
Maxine's guiltily. Would she have
to break her engagement with
Franklin Crane? Or try to sidetraclk
her father? Maxine might be able
to suggest something for him to do
without her. His blue eyes were
watching her anXiously
,"Yau hadn't planned to do any
thing this EVENING""
Now was her chance. But she
couldn't say it, could not bear to see
disappointment cloud his wistful
face. Angry at her own weakness
and his, in loving her so much, she
answered brusquely:
Certainly not, Dad. Run along
I'll see you this noon"
TITS a damned shame, kiddie, 4"
Maxine said when he had gone.
ut doesn't natter said Sonia.
'1'll just have to explain. that's all. >"
But she had not dreamed that ex-
went at once to Franklin Cranes
planning would be so difficult. She
desk
I'm sorry" she said. but I can't
disappoint my father. He'sso ridicu-
lously fond of me-"
Cranes blue eyes caressed her.
She had the feeling Of having been
kissed publicly.
IT'S all right, Sonia. Some other
time"
When she came down at noon to
meet her father she was Mortified to
see him standing in the private Of
flee of Jed Thomas. She ran to res
cue him, white with embarrass-
ment.
Il was just telling Mr.. Thomas
how much mother and ! appreciate
the way he's looked after you,
Sonia"
Jed Thomas, seated at his desk,
met her eyes with his customary ir-
reproachable stare.
I'VE are glad to have been able
to give your daughter an oppor-
tunity, Mr.. Marsh he replied tone.
lessly.
We'll, sir, it's mighty fine of you.
We wouldn't have let our girl come
Just any place to work"
Dad, please" cried Sonia.
What in the world possessed you
to go in there?' she asked when
they were walking up Sutter st.
II thought it woLid be 4 nice thing
to do, Sonia Why not?"
She dared not tell him that Jed
Thomas had not spoken to her since
her first day, so she-evaded his ques.
ton by asking about the girls at
home.
II suppose you've heard about
Sidney?" he replied.
Going to Leland Stanford? Yes
she wrote me-"
titNtl lllC'tii IIetl' sue anu i IOin
Underwood have been hitting it off
pretty we'll since you left. Your
mother was telling me last night
night that she heard Tom had given
Sidney a diamond ring"
Sonia smiled. SO Sidney had her
diamond? The one Tom had so gen
erously offered Sonia if she would
wait for him four years.
That's fine" she said with Nun-
feigned enthusiasm. I'm surprised
Sidney hasn't told me-
Maybe she mated to on account
Of you and Tom being such good
friends" he said shrewdly. You
know I'd always hoped you'd marry
Tom, honey He is a mighty nice
boy and would have given you "a
good home"
Sonia shruggSe.
I'm Stockton, yes"
They had entered small restau-
rant and Sonia gave the order in a
low, forceful voice. She was imitat-
ing Walter Henderson. Sam Marsh
listened proudly.
you've become a regular city
girl, haven't you, Sonia?"
II think I always was one under
my skin. I certainly seem to belong
here more than I ever did at home"
What made her say things like
THAT? Things that made moisture
---Iu----------------------'