The Indianapolis times., 1927-09-19
CHAPTER TX

Amanda returned from her "shop
ping trip" vaguely triumphant, ant
resumed work in the kitchen as /
nothing had .interfered.
When box arrived-a long bo,
filed with deep-red roses-sh,
frightened her lips, but said nothing
Nancy was disappointed. Their,
was nothing on the card but Fri,
Nelson's name.
Glad of an excuse, she ran to th'
telephone and called him.
merry Christmas!' she cried.
She thanked him for the flowers
expecting him to mention plans fol
seeing her. But his voice sounded
stiff and constrained.
And after a moment Nancy fel
compelled to ring of. She was botl
alarmed and frightened. Something
was wrong! Something must have
happened!
she moved, aimlessly, about tht
living room. Attempting to practice
but with little success.
Christmas Eve. and Eric and M
expectation of seeing her. Perhaps
he thought she wouldn't want tt
see him while Raymond was home
But he knew better than that
Restlessness drove her to the
kitchen.
Cant 1 do. somthing, Mother?"
Amanda looked surprised.
mo, thanks, dearie. Go on with
your practice"
II don't feel like practicing."
"Why not go for a walk, then?'
Amanda suggested.
Nancy put on her coat and hat
and walked as if by force of habit
up Sycamore Hill. What a gallant
figure he had made on that first
day! Like hero from book! In
four months time she had met and
loved and lost him.
Don't be silly" she said to her.
self, sternly. "He loves you. Just
because he doesn't come up every
night.
But the absence of sentiment or
the little card, sealed in its envelope
and the blankness Of his voice were
more potent arguments than any
reasoning.
Almost without realizing it, she
had reached the hill. AS she hesi-
tated. wondering whether to stor
and see Edith, the curtains in the
living room fiuttered apart and hel
former friend beckoned to her.
Nancy hastened in with an alb
surdly grateful feeling. She hae
missed Edith's companionship. Much
nicer to be friends if that were pos
sible under the existing circum-
stances.
Edith wSs waiting in the door.
"Come in, Nancy. Haven't seer
you for ages"
Nancy followed into the living
room without removing her coat
The cheerful, firelit warmth reached
out like a welcoming hand. She
sank into a chair.
"Seen any of the home guard
yet?" Edith inquired, pleasantly.
mo one but Raymond"
The other girls eye stock on the
smug innocence of a prowling cat.
"Of course, Raymond! How is he
dear ? You must have been awfully
happy to see each other"
"Happy?" blurted Nancy. "Why?'
Edith purred, "Why not?"
"See here, old thing, you seem tc
have the wrong impression. Ray
mond and are good friends, but
there's nothing between us ane
never will be-"
"You don't trust me, do you
Nancy? I've always felt you weren't
being quite frank. :"
Nothing to be frank about. Ray
mond has been nice to me, Of course
ct suppose he's taking you to the
dance tonight?"
"What dance?"
Regular Christmas Eve celebra'
ton. Everyone's going, although
we just started to get it up this aft
ernoon. Raymond will surely cal
you"
"No reason why he should" Nanc.
said, quietly. "You may as vel
know it now, Edith. Everything 1
off"
"Oh, then you WE'RE engaged?
"No, we weren't. And we are still
friends. Just not stepping out to
gether any more. That's all.
She tried to make her voice light
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