The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-03-14

ule. Well be in tomorrow instead
Of Friday. Can't I see you tomor.
row night?"
You surely can," said Joyce,
amazement and gladness struggling
in her voice.
What time? The earlier the bet
ter"
"Any time after o'clock. that's
when I'm through at the Office"
"I'll meet you there at 4 o'clock
in the Marmon," he promised.
The day dragged and she found
herself looking at the clock time
and again.
Four o'clock arrived at last and
she hurried down the stairs. There
stood the bright Marmon. And there
on the sidewalk, waiting to come
to meet her, stood Deke.
He crossed the sidewalk and took
her hand. "Just ten days prettier,"
he said, looking at her delightedly.
HAS it only been ten days?"
asked Joyce unbelievingly.
''Flatterer," and Deke turned her
toward the car. HAS it really
seemed longer?'
years longer-so much has hap
pened, you see.' and Joyce flashed
him a gay look.
They threaded their way out east
ward, through Willoughby, toward
gainesville. There's a famous old
tavern out here. Randall I think
it's called. Good dinner. Then We'll
drive back in town to dance. Does
that sound good?"
"It sounds perfect" sighed Joyce,
Illustrating in the deep cushions of
the car and the feeling of adven-
ture that Deke always brought her.
"Now tell me all about it, every
thing. How many times you saw
Davey, whether my friend Butch
has been around, how your mothers
making out, what your father Is
doing without you. What your own
prospects are"
And Joyce found herself telling
him in detail of the whole ten days.
Nothing was omitted, not even
her mothers request that she &C
cept Butch's invitations.
"You need a big brother" was
Deke's comment when she had fin
ished.
What should I do about Butch?"
Joyce asked.
IT don't know" said Deke thought
fully Your mother. has some
pretty good reason for asking you
this. Maybe she knows something
on him, or is afraid he will try to
l1idnap you again if you discourage
him. I'd let it ride along. tell him
you're too tired or too busy or some
thing as much as you can, unless
of course, he gets rough. Then
you'll have to drop him quick. Fun
ny, the only time a guy like that
is interesting, and, well, yes, likeable,
is when he gets rough
II see what you mean," said Joyce.
Its funny thing for me to say
to you, but / think I've been sort Of
disappointed that Butch has been so
So
"Tame?" finished Deke with a grin.
"Well, yes" and Joyce dropped her
eyes and blushed.
you're an honest kid" he said
musingly.
They drove back to Cleveland in a
companionable silence.
"Club 1 know about" said Deke,
stopping before a tall building this
side of Wade Park.
"Dancing?" asked Joyce, her eyes
sparkling.
Deke nodded. Get your vanity
and pretty up" he told her.
Joyce showed her dismay. "Oh,
Deke, I put it out to bring this morn
ing and I forgot it. I don't carry it
all the time, you know"
why not?"
TITS too pretty"
Deke laughed and started the en-
CINE. as it in your room? Well &c
and get it and come back"
They drove up in a few minutes
before the Jenkins house. Joyce ran
up the steps and to her room. She
was gone nearly ten minutes. When
she. came down her eyes were lumi-
nous.
"Deke," she cried. Look here"
She held up one round white arm
To the wrist was strapped an ex
quisite watch, octagon shape, with
a pale grey face and a linked plati
nun strap.
"1Voww Deke whistled. .Some
wedding gift! Where'd it dror
! FROM"
ut was there in my room with
note from Mother dear. Here,
she held out bit Of paper to him
Joy, darling" he read, Tonight
would have been your commence
ment night if things had been diff
ferent. You're missing that, but you
don't need to miss your graduation
present, too. This is for you, little
daughter, with all Of your mothers
love and best wishes. A. D."
Say, that was pretty nice Of her
wasn't it?" he commented, return
| ing the note. want to drive down
now and thank her for it?"