The Indianapolis times., 1927-10-17
CHAPTER XXXIII

cy, frankly delighted, told him so.
you're not so poor yourself" hi
retorted. "All my life I've been lock.
ing for a girl who possessed both
physical attraction and brain
Until I met you y thought II
couldn't be done.
"That the only way to satisfy my
multiple desires would be with a
harem. Monday nights with Jane
for intellectual discussion; Tuesdays
with Delphine, the beautiful but
dumb, etc."
Nancy smiled, but she was not
displeased. He was rather darling
And when he asked for an en-
gagement later in the week she &C
corded it willingly.
Before that time come, however
her pleasant equilibrium had been
shattered. For, glancing up from her
early morning task Of rearranging
jewelry, she met the calm, blue
gaze Of Eric Nelson. She could feel
the blood CONCEAL in her veins. She
heard her own voice, brightly arti-
fetal, asking: MAY I help you?"
Eyes" he said gravely. "How are
you, Nancy?"
"Quite well. thank you'll What
was it you wished to see?"
"Beods. Real jade. Or do you
carry it?"
"We have two necklaces. Most OF
our things are limitations"
Her hands shook as she put them
before him. The other girls were
busy at the other end of the de-
partment. For the moment they
were alone. But he had nothing to
say to her. No word after all these
months.
Well, she could play the game as
well as he. Play it the same way
If he thought it would humiliate
her to have to wait on him, he was
mistaken. She was no longer
ashamed of her position.
She didn't mind his seeing hel
behind the counter. 1t was the
force Of the old attraction which
sent the color surging into hel
cheeks. The sheer, irresistible ap-
neal he had always had for her. AL.
ways would have. >.
"I'll take these"
Her fingers danced like imp.
across the sales check. She took tn
package to the desk and waited TO
it. Passing it silently across Il
him. But she dared not meet hi
eyes, because her own were blurre,
with tears.
Then suddenly he spoke. And hi
low voice held her as if it were hi
arms.
"Im sorry"
"For me? You needn't bel"
"I don't mean that. I want u
apologize for the way I acted whel
mother was ill. You see, her win
dow was open and she could hea
everything we said"
$50 could Clarice JONES'" she re
minded him, bitterly.
II know. But, Nancy, the nigh
before when she was so i'll she ha,
said, II I die, she'll marry YOU
eyes? Well, it's all over now"
THE memory of that day ha
made me very unhappy :" h
said.
His eyes were miserable, vet sh
was conscious of a hidden restraint
He was not asking her love but TO
forgiveness. Quick to sense hi
mood, she realized this instantl,
and was deeply hurt. Because if h,
had said II love you" she could S,
easily have forgiven him anythinl
He had, however, no inten.
ton of saying it. No desire.
And the light which had famed intt
her face at his first remark diet
out.
She said quietly: "I understand
But I said things I've regretted
too."
I hold nothing against you," h.
replied, and turned away.
Her gaze followed him until HI
left the store. More wonderful ever
than her dreams. And lost to he]
forever. Hopelessly lost!
Nancy had never known a day SC
endless. So packed with irritations
customers paved the piles of beads
and bracelets with endless requests
to see the more expensive articles
IN the cases, but with few purchases
A binding headache added to hel
misery. Why was Eric here? Hao
he bought the necklace for the othe,
girl? Was he in love with Chloris;
She spent her noon hour in tn,
ADJUSTMENTS