The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-08-16

though they were eternally sparring
they were the best of friends.
Fraid not" she returned, "the
ceremony has to take place in my
bathroom, and Myra is such an old
fuss where the proprieties are con
cerned."
A maid entered, pushed a peram
bulator, which was really a small
cellaret. she brought it 10 rest in
front Of Heath. who at once set him
self to the business of mixing cock
tails.
Myra, from her lounge-chair, stud
led the maid critically. But she
could find nothing to censure. Cap
apron and personal attitude were al
perfection, for Katie was quick tc
learn and Myra was a thorough anG
competent teacher.
Though there was supposed to be
about the house the careless and in
formal air always associated with
a studio or bungalow, Myra Heath's
housekeeping instincts rebelled, and
she was most runctilious in the mat
ters Of domestic, etiquette.
So Katie took the glasses from
Heath, on ner perfectly appointed
tray, with it's caviare canapes and
tiny napkins, and served them prop
erly.
But after that she was allowed to
leave the room. and dividends" were
apportioned out by Heath himself.
30 4 4
around" he growled; cocktails
should be absorbed only in the bosom
Of ones own family"
Katie isn't snoopy" his wife re
Joined. not CURLY, but with the all
Of one stating an important fact.
mot snoopy exactly" offered In
man, but so softly and cat-footeC
she gets on my nerves"
II wouldn't have a noisy servan
about" Myra informed him, with {
calm glance of hauteur.
We'll, she spoils the whole day
for me-" Heath declared. II do
wish, Myra, you'd let us have the
cocktail hour au naturel. Withou
hired service. Larry could pass the
tray, or, if he baked, Bunny could.
NO" Myra said, and the one wore
was far more eloquently final thar
any TRADE could have been.
She did not smile, but neither die
she frown. 1t was her way of clos
ing an incident. =
Fer pale oval face was of a elias
sic beauty, which would have beer
rendered a thousand times more at
tractive by even a fleeing smile. But
smiles were not Myra's strong point
Her calm was superb, her dignity
was unassailable, her poise was
never shaken, but of merriment she
had none, nor ever showed response
to its manifestation in others.
OF course, she was Unfortunately
vain of her looks; of her quiet, wei
behaved ash blonde hair; of her large
gray eyes, that never grew dark ant
stormy with rage, or soft with un
shed tears; of her pale pink lips anc
dead white complexion, untouched
by the makeup box, and of her in
dividual style of dressing.
Her wardrobe included only gowns
of white or pale gray, or elusive
shades of fawn or beige. And al
were made on soft, clinging lines
that made her look like an exquisite
Burne-Jones picture, in unusually
modish garb.
All these effects should have ap
pealed to her artist husband, but
they didn't. He was all for color
and he begged Myra to wear pale
green or yellow, or even black, but
a calm mo" was his answer.
And so, though few people knew
It, he became a little fed up witt
Myra. To be sure. she had tn
money, so he couldn't seriously of
fend her, but by slow degrees, the!
drifted a little more apart. spiritual
ly, and though outwardly just a
usual, they knew themselves where
they stood.
Heath's absences in New York
when he went down to see abou
selling his pictures, became a little
longer each time. He paid more at
tention than he used to feminine
guests In the house. He contrasted
in his own mind the deadly dullness
of his wife and the gay banterins
moods of Bunny or other girls ant
women who visited Myra.
For she loYed to entertain. Her su
periority complex craved opportuni
ty to display her home in all Its
: marvellous perfection OF detail. Con
sequently no weekend found then
without guests, and many remained
as longer time visitors.
Lawrence Inman, alsoa an artist
dabbled about in Perry's studio, pro
ducing futile attempts as seascapes
or garden pieces, at which Heath
laughed goodnaturedly and told
him to try blacksmithing
A distant relative Of Myra's, In
man was her only kin, and, except
for Heath. the natural heir to her
large fortune.
Moreover, he was in love with her,
or as near as one could come to
such a thing as romance with Myra
Heath.
He had often told her so, only to
receive q grave look and a calm
No" in response. But Larry In.
man was not easily daunted, and he
continued to dance attendance on
, his beautiful kinswoman, to the
secret amusement of her true and
lawful husband.
For Perry Heath was astute to a
degree, and very little went on In
his house of which he was unaware
He even sensed, through sheer in,
tuition, that Larry contemplated
proposing to Myra some plan of di
vorce or elopement, and he idly won,
dered how his wife would take 1t.
This conviction, however, made
not the slightest difference In his
attitude toward the pair, and the
peace Of the household was un.
ruffied.