The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-31

Syncopation. It swept her into an
other world. A world vaguely mys-
FERROUS! Haunted with emotions
half dreamed, but never put into
definit form. That world was, per-
haps, her sisters. Even in her
thoughts Diana scarcely dared re-
peat her sisters name. Vivian was
the skeleton in the family closet
never mentioned, but leering behind
carelessly opened doors, doors her
mother always closed, violently.
Diana was not allowed ask, but SC
far as she knew there was never
any news from her. Even at Is, she
was not at all sure what Vivian had
done. Something disgraceful," her
mother had said with tight lips.
Diana, proudly loyal, would not ask
outside, although no doubt it had
been common gossip at the time.
Diana had been IA, then, absorbed
in tennis, riding and swimming
Her mothers hysteria had been
more dreadful than the thing her
sister had done. She was only
too willing to forget. Yet for four
years she had retained an innocent,
childlike hope that Vivian might
return. In her little girl fashion
she had adored her sister.
She was startled to realize that
the dance was over and she had
been too abSorved to talk, even the
customary careless words and
phrases.
'"rhank you," her partner sighed,
reverently. 81 didn't know God
made 'em that way"
Diana smiled.
cit was a good one, wasn't it?"
Looking round for more worlds to
conquer, her eyes met Arthur
Vane's. He crossed the room to her.
"Have you discovered a way to
give me a dancer"
"Im afraid not"
my hard luckl I'd rather have a
dance with you than any other girl
here"
I'D love it, too. I haven't forgot
ten what wonderful dancer you
are"
"Why, Diana! You were only a
little girl then. Peering around the
stairway when I came to call on
Vivian"
Color swept to the roots of her
hair. Didn't he realize that no one
here mentioned Vivian's name?
Embarrassed, and ashamed, she
managed to say, 81 remember the
candy, too. Your taste in that was
excellent"
els that mere compliment? Or
might I construe 1t as ladylike
invitation?"
Invitation for what?"
ITO come again and try my offer
ings on little sister?"
Flattered and excited by his mat
ter-of fact connection Of her with
Vivian, Diana determined to con-
ceal her confusion. Even if he were
the most successful lawyer in the
world, she wouldn't make over"
him.
Aloud, she answered, primly. do
come. I'm sure my mother would
love to see YOU"
1t pleased her to see him leave
directly after their conversation.
She knew any number Of girls who
would have gladly given him a
dance. Arthur Vane'S success IN
law was not his only claim to popu-
larity. Diana recalled stories, half
forgotten, of his will-o-the-wisp
propensities. 1t made him all the
more fascinating to the younger
girls whose sisters he had escaped.
Her eyes, following his distin-
guished figure through the door, fell
upon Louis, smoking gloomily. Poor
Louis! He was furious. Diana mar
veled that she was not more con-
cerned about it. She was fond OF
him. So much so that her mother
worried about it. But tonight she
felt that his moods were a constant
drain. Louis was the type to whom
a girl must play up. 1t had been
exciting at first, but Diana was be-
ginning to be a little tired OF it.
Her eyes met his coldly. Dropping
into one of the chairs against the
wall, she began to fan.
Elsie Rhineheart sat beside her.
Elsie was one Of those doomed to
spend her life against a wall. Diana
knew she had only had one dance.
But Elsie was game" about it.
"It's too warm to dance, isn't 1t"
Elsie said vivaciously. II would
have dragged mama home long ago,
but she loves to watch"
81 don't blame her." Diana re-
sponded. st like to watch myself"
"a lot of chances you have for it"
"I'm going to make one right
now" Diana answered wickedly.
The music had started and Louis
was by her side.
want to dancer"
He was scowling, but Diana lifted
Indifferent eyes.
"T'm tired, Louis. Perhaps Elsie
will take pity on you"
Elsie gave an agonized smile, torn
between her desire to dance and her
reluctance to accept another girls
charity.
ooh, no, Diana! Louis asked
YOU"
"Will you, Elsie? I intended ask
ing you for the next one," Louis in
terposed CALAMITY.
Diana refused other invitations
and sat throughout the dance,
watching the Unmatched couple IN
their progress across the floor. Louis
would make her pay for this!
"But, it's good discipline" she
thought, serenely. HE never dances