The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-20
By Vida Hurst

weather the effects of this acd-
dent"
TITS always been impossible
hasn't it? You never have had any
definite idea Of marriage in your
mind?"
He faced her resentfully.
i've been frank with you from
the start. AS long as conditions are
as they are Oh, Sonia, don't
torment me. I'm just about crazy"
1T see. 1t torments you to dis
cuss our marriage"
at does because there's nothing
can do about it. I'd marry you
in a minute if 1 could"
THAT'S good Of you"
Her voice was brittle.
He rose and began to pace the
room.
You don't seem to realize that
the delay hurts me as much as it
does you"
Sonia remained silent.
IT want you, Sonia, more than
ever wanted anything"
But so far as doing anything
about it is concerned, can wither
up and dier she said bitterly.
"Why should you? I spend every
minute with you 1 can. Good Lord,
you're only 49,"
"Just the same, I'm passing up
the best opportunities I'll ever have
for respectable marriage"
Respectable" His laugh tangled
in the quiet room. "A new word for
Sonia!"
"I've begun to like it," she retort-
ed Lying here, thinking things
over, makes it seem rather a desir-
able condition"
That's because you've had a
shock"
I'm not so sure" She added, posi-
lively. "At any rate, 1 never want
to be in a situation like this again. >"
"I hope you aren't. Although as
a matter of fact, the accident might
have happened on our way to
church to be married"
| LII IndI case II WOuAu he1NC OOCh
much easier to explain"
Are you blaming me for it:
Trying to pass the buck? Becaus
If that's your idea, I can stand it.
told you it was my fault"
At the implication Of his words
color flashed to her eyes.
You make me utterly ASHAMED
I'm blaming no one"
! Then he ran back to kiss he
wildly and cry. 1--WE mustn't quarre
like this. It's because we're bot
half mad from all that has hap
pened"
She agreed, adding sadly, IT Ger
tainlv would. never have though
anything would make me rrge s
man to marry me-" ..ls....sxc
you didnI, GEAR. I understand
exactly how sick and frightened yol
are"
His eyes fell upon the crimson
roses.
1T suppose Henderson's been afte
you again?"
|
breaking in her throat.
Franklin touched the card which
lay upon the table.
so he would like to help, woulC
he? Well. he'd better leave you
alone, Sonia
"Why should he? You don't low
me-"
In the midst of his protestations
the nurse entered.
"Ill see you tomorrow" he STAN
mered. and went away.
Sonia permitted him to go without
telling him that she was leaving the
next day. Some instinct for secrecy
seemed to warn her for the first
time in her relations with him. Let
him come and find her gone. She
did not know herself where she
would be. But Don would take care
Of her. Don, who never in his life
could have addressed any woman as
Franklin had spoken to her.
She told herself that she had been
a weak fool even to mention the
subject of marriage. She was not
4 even sure that she wanted to marry
him. He would not make a good
husband. Good husband, respectable
marriage! He had laughed at her
choice Of words, but at least a girl
was sheltered in marriage. Married
women were not subject to tempta-
tons that were so hard to resist.
Franklin did not wish to be an
noyed by thoughts of the future.
But Don stood ready to give her his
strong hand for the rest of his life.
And she needed strength Firm
ness of character and stability. He