The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-08-09

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"You are the most beautiful thing
I ever looked at" he added in a
voice too low for the others to hear,
as he took her arm to guide her out
of the lounge and down the half
flight of steps to the main lobby.
Sunday is a terrible day here,
Mrs. BanniSter began eagerly, as she
seized her husbands arm and came
trotting after Vee-Vee and Schuyler
1.-THE week-enders do nothing but
play golf, and they won't let us
dance on Sunday night, so there is
really nothing to do but to drive or
to go to Snyder's for tea. Where's
Miss Fosdick? Hurry, dear!" she
called to the girl who had Jagged
| behind.
Tim not coming!" Nan Fosdick
stopped on the stairs and called out
in low, furious voice. She tore
off her unbecoming white felt hat,
twisted it between her hands.
Schuyler Smythe's hand closed
| b1S11O1J ONO1 tOC-N Voc GILL OCAOA z
he turned to face the girl on the
stairs.
mot coming, Nan?" His voice was
politely surprised and regretful.
why"
"Mother-wants me to play crib
bage with her." Nan Fosdick an
swered desperately, raising her hand
to hide the trembling of her chin.
Vee-Vee knew how she felt, knew
that she wanted Schuyler Smythe
to come bounding eagerly up those
stairs, to whisper an ardent plea in
her ear. He really ought to-but
Vee-Vee hoped f1ercely that he
wouldn't.
If Nan Fosdick stayed at the no.
tel, in a temper, she-Vee-Vee-
could sit beside Schuyler, uncrowded
by the big girls bulk, could have his
undivided attention on the long
drive to Snyder's roadhouse.
lawfully sorry, Nan. You ought
to discipline your mother better
than that, or teach her to play soli-
taire," Schuyler said, with casual
sympathy.
The Bannisters drove away first
in their coupe, Mrs. Bannister lean
ing out of a lowered window to
wave a gay farewell:
We'll look for you when we see
you comingl"
Vee-Vee felt herself blushing, be-
gan to make a hasty comment on
the roadster which Schuyler was
helping her into, his fingers press
ing thrillingly upon her elbow.
ooh, it must look rather COM
monplace to you, after the foreign
cars you've driven" he answered,
and regret stirred family under
her joy, that he should belittle any
thing of his to her.
1t wasn't very good taste-but
she pushed the traitor thought back,
smiled at him, a cool flicker OF light
in her clear green eyes. But-what
did he mean by referring to foreign
cars that she had driven? The per-
son that she was Internationally i'm
personating must have great wealth,
have lived abroad
For the first few minutes OF the
drive to which she had looked for
ward with so much eagerness Wee
Wee could not give herself over to
pure enjoyment.
Questions tormented her, and she
could not get Nan Fosdick's angry,
sullen face, with its bitterly twisted
mouth, out of her mind.
"I know what you're thinking"
Schuyler surprised her by cutting
in on her miserable thoughts. THAT
impossible little Mrs. Bannister has
been gossiping, I see. What did she
tell your"
Hundreds Of things" Vee-Vee
laughed, but her voice was strained.
"The lake drive is lovely, isn't it?"
she added.
The dark green roadster was Gid
ing swiftly along q narrow road
that now Rugged the lake front.
The fresh, sweet odor Of growing
things made her nostrils culver
with delight. A squirrel flashed
across their path.
eff she told you that I am en-
gagged to be married to Nan Fos-
dick, she lied" Schuyle Smythe
said. 1--WE been nice to the child,
because she seemed to be having
such beastly unpleasant time Of 1t
with that old warhorse of a
mother"
"She's in love with you'll" Vee-Vee
cried impulsively, then could have
bitten her tongue.
"I'm sorry!" Schuyler said grimly
THAT is, I'm sorry If it is true
Hope it isn't. But, oh Vee-Vee
we mustn't spoil this first precious
hour alone together by talking OF
Nan Fosdick or any one else"
He swerved the car suddenly into
a road that was scarcely more than
a path. A quick twist Of his fingers
upon the ignition key shut off the
engine.
His dark eyes turned upon her, g
little fearful OF his daring, but glow
ing with a fire that kindled her owr
blood.
AREN'T you-presuming-rather {
great deal?" Vee-Vee asked jerkily
strange fear of having this thing
hurried too fast clutching at he
heart. Men flirted with girls whom
they considered "easy."
Maybe she had let him see to-
much-Aunt Flora had said-Bu
she could not remember what he
aunt had said-she could not re
member anything with his face clos
to hers, his eyes on fire like that
\ Presenting? My God," Schuyle
groaned, his hand clenching and un
clenching on the steering wheel
But of course you can't know-al
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