The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-31
Copyright, 1927, by Bell Syndicate, Inc)

how could she, when her mother
looked at her like that?
HAS Louis Nelson ever kissed
you?" ff
Oh, dearl Now it was out. Moth
ing in the world could save her
now. For three years she had been
able to answer this question in the
negative. But this summer q.
Answer me, Diana. 1 want the
truth"
Then, her own voice faltering,
choked with tears, mot often!"-
"Oh, mother, please don't look at
me like that. All the girls do"
Never so long as she lived would
Diana forget the scene which fol-
lowed. The words-evil, ugly sound
ing words-which meant nothing to
her except she knew her mother
was using them like whips. They
fell upon her heart, leaving scars
that never quite healed. Years
later she was to remember them at
night, starting up in cold fear. And
in the end Elizabeth, falling back
upon the bed, crying, "Oh, God!
My hearth"
Sobbing like a little girl, Diana
ran to the telephone and called the
doctor. When he came her mother
was still unconscious. Diana was
rubbing her cold face with camphor.
ooh, DR.. Vest, is she going to
dieP"
Certainly not, honey Just a
fainting SPELL Has she had q
shock?"
There it was again. Her fault!
Always her fault, yet surely no girl
had ever loved her mother more.
Under the doctors ministrations
Mrs. Farrells breath came flutter-
ing back.
81 made her angry" Diana ad-
hitting, touching a handkerchief to
her tear-reddened eyes.
But if DR.. Vest heard her confess
sion he gave no sign Of it, appar-
emily absorbed in taking her
mothers pulse. And Elizabeth'S
first thought was for her daughter.
Don't be frightened, dear.
Mother is all right"
Later, after the doctor had gone,
white faced Diana promised not
to let another man kiss her until
she was engaged.
Morning found her weak and list
less. Mother and daughter avoided
any mention of the night before.
Diana performed her share of the
household duties duly, without in
teresC. She felt as if a milestone
in her life were past. She was
definitely now in another stage,
with which she was neither ia
miliar nor pleased.
Louis teelphoned at IL o'clock.
Her mother answered and called
Diana, sweetly.
Telephone, dearl"
"She knows it's Louis" Diana
thought, resentfully. But she
thinks that she can trust me now"
She spoke indifferently, unable to
force any vitality into her voice
within range of her mothers hear
ing How are you this morning?"
asked Louis.
"All right. Finel"
you don't sound it," deducted
Louis. shrewdly. "Are you angry
with me?"
"Of course not, Louis. I'm just
tired"
Want to go riding tonight?"
Not tonight, thank you."
take in movie?"
mo, I think I'll stay at home"
Listen, Diana, I'm sorry I lost
my temper last night. You were so
provoking, but you know I didn't
mean everything I said"
That's nice. Don't think I'm
worrying about it,"
But she refused to promise to see
him. Her instinct was for conceal
ment. Flight from all things mascu-
line. If it was wrong to let a boy
kiss you-so disgusting to let one
even hold your hand--She did not
want to be with Louis again.
Dressing for dinner she was glad
she looked "untouchable." Other
boys besides Louis had accused her
of being as "cold as ice."
She had rather liked having Louis
kiss her the first time. Like the
swift brush of a butterf1y's wing
But the night he had caught and
held her, forcing his lips hard
upon hers it had made her angry.
She had told him that If he
ever did that again. And
they had quarreled as usual. Be-