The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-03-23

| felt remote and when Henry had
come back from her roomirtg house
his mother warned him to let JOY
alone for a time.
shes suffering now, more than
you or / can realize this wise
woman said.
BY the first OF September, Joyce
had settled into a regular routine.
She was up at 6 and on the board
by Z. Alternate Sundays she worked.
As the time went on her grief over
her mother lessened as Mrs. Deacon
had said it would. Sometimes she
wondered If the highest loyalty did
not demand that she cease to search
for her mother, and accept Mrs.
Daring's judgment that it was best
for her to live her life away from
her family.
Then, quite suddenly it seemed to
her, though she had known it all
the time, Deke announced that he
would be leaving in week.
''Will you miss me, Joyce?" They
were driving along q country road
and Deke slowed the bright Stutz
down to a crawl.
''Of course will, terribly. When
do you go? What day. mean?"
1.-THE 18th. This is Tuesday.
leave in just week exactly"
"This summer has been so full Of
new things that 1t has seemed like
a breath" said Joyce. IT will miss
you, Deke. And I'll write to you
and tell you everything about Vine
gar and Mrs. Mush, isn't that a
good name for Fitz-Simmons, and
Gladys"
Thanks said Deke, dryly. How
about a few lines concerning Joyce
Daring now and them"
"Oh, youIl know all about her,
but she isn't so interesting"
Deke felt delighted over this first
return of joys young lightness Of
speech. This was good sign.
Joyce" he said. trying to choose
his words. There is something I
want to ask you about. Don't an
swer If you wish. But want to
know before I go away. ia like
to know where I stand with Davey."
He stopped the car and waited for
her answer. It was long in coming.
81 don't know what to say" said
joyce at last. "If you want to know
IL there's any immediate chance of
my marrying Davey, no. But I am
very fond of him. I've known him
all his life. Sometimes I feel sorry
for him and pity his loneliness. He's
never had a real home you know.
His parents died when he was little
and his grandmother had hard time
bringing him up. Davey is solid and
sure and he, well, he's always cared
for me lot. don't think / honest
| ~ love him. But / believe we could
make home together If we tried"
1.-THE only real point ia his favor
that see them" said Deke. sis that
you feel sorry for him. Can't you
develop a little pity for me, away
off at school, all alone. and my girl
back here having dates with another
guy?'
Poor DeBe," said Joyce laughing.
| She put up her hand and touched
his cheek. Joyce won't forget him. :"
Deke caught her hand. That's
dangerous thing to do just now,
with me going away for six months
| or So"
Joyce looked at him startled.
There was that deep note in his voice
that she had thrilled to in Davey's
passionate love.making SO many
months before. She looked away
from his ardent eyes
He dropped her hand. Joyce"
he said, trying to control the shak-
ing of his voice. II love you,, more
than / thought l could love any
one, ever. 1 wish more than can
tell you that you would promise
to marry me next spring. I'd like
to go away, knowing that you were
promised to me- But I love you
too much to force you. How much
can you promise willingly, Joyce?
I'll be content with that"
II can only tell you" said Joyce.
| watching his serious mood, that
still want to be free. I'm not going
to marry any one for a long time.
| know that next spring will still
find me- she searched for word
"Unpromised?" Deke suggested.
"Unpromised," Joyce agreed. And
that's all I can promise"
"All right Deke leaned forward
to start the car. "Then I'll come
back next June and put on a whirl-
wind campaign for the hand and
heart Of Joyce Daring"
Then Joyce did surprising thing
After all Davey had kissed her.
Deke wanted her every bit as much
as Davey. Besides he had been
heavenly good to her. She caught
Deke's hand.
What is it," he turned to look
at her, startled at her gesture
Changed your mind?' great glad
ness thrilled in his tone.
Joy hid her face and shook her
head. mo" she murmured, "but
would--would you-like to-" why
didn't Deke help her out? Why
didn't he sweep her into his arms
as Davey had? ITO kiss me?" she
! finally brought out with an effort,
and felt herself burning with
bushes.
Deke put two hands on her shout