The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-04-07
CHAPTER XXXIII

advantage of her surrender to him
she was dooNed to disappointment.
She thought of it all the next morn
ing, and as she made ready for work.
Deke had told her plainly that
until she was sure Of her own mind
he would not let her promise to
marry him.
You're much nearer than you
were in the fall" he told her, "for
now 1 can kiss you and if you don't
answer me at least you don't shrink
from me, and / don't believe, Joyce
Daring, that you're the girl to enjoy
promiscuous kissing, are your he
had held her away and looked at
her with a hooking light in his
eyes, 1.-THE next time you are kissed
you are going to say to yourself,
this isn't like Deke'-"
She had puked away from him in
dignantly. He had laughed and
kept the evening at a bantering tenn
perature for the rest of his stay
IT love a fight" he told her once
more as he was leaving. I'm going
to fight this chemical business back
on it's feet in the daytime, and I'm
going to fight for my girl at night.
If l weren't so modest I'd tell you
straight that L always get what l
go after'-that's what they say
about my rival, isn't it, JOY, girl?"
Joyce was not sure she liked this
teasing. Underneath his lightness
burned steadily. She felt that some
thing in him had been outraged at
the thought of Carter's kissing her,
She was walking down to work,
her thoughts keeping pace with her
steps. IT suppose" she continued
mentally, that if 1 were in love
with Deke, or were one of those
big fine heroines you read about
that I'd marry him now and help
him pull through this business
tangle. And maybe, If he fails, be
poor all my life, like mother has
BEEN"
Life with Deke owning an automo-
bile, able to give her riches, might
he very different from life with Deke
and having to struggle. While life
with Carter would always be easy,
soft, luxurious.
She nodded to various acquaint-
ances as she adjusted her headpiece
There came Matilda Truesdale fol-
lowing Judge Perkins out OF the
dining room.
Jovce listened in idly more because
she was not busy than because she
felt interested in Vinegar's gossip.
In a movent, however. she was
listening with all her might, for the
talk concerned Deke.
Matte was talking to friend.
"Yes," she was saying, 81 hear they
are going to leave everything. Mrs.
Deacon is taking Mr.. Deacon to
Florida to get out Of the way, of
creditors. l guess there will be
plenty Of unpaid bills. They always
lived beyond their means, you know.
She was nothing but the daughter OF
small town judge and his rather
kept drug store"
whats going to happen to the
chemical plant?" asked a voice.
''I hear that young Henry's come
back from school to see what he can
do with it. / guess things are in
dreadful mess. And Henry's so
taken up with girl that he won't
be good for much"
Someone 1 know
mo, just a baby-faced little thing,
a telephone operator down here at
the hotel"
mot the same girl Carriers been
going around with"
Yves, the same one. Isn't is dis
gushing? Carriers been no use all
this season because of this dollfaced
creature, and now Henry Deacon is
going to let his fathers business go
to the wall on account Of her."
"Are Henry's intentions serious?'
ooh, / suppose they are. The Dea-
cons are that kind, you know. Very
bourgeois. I've no doubt he means
to marry the girl, that is, If she's
marriageable after Carter gets
through with her"
81 heard that Carriers really lost
his head over her. May marry her. %"
II don't think so for a minute,
Why should he? She's just smart
enough to hold out a little longer
than the others have, that's ALL"
joys face was burning She di-
rected a look at Matte Truesdale' $
back that might have slain that
lady. Matte elaborated on her
theme for few minutes then came
out of the booth.
"Charg. that call to my room, op-
orator." she said as she went by.
About the middle of the afternoon
a messenger came in with small
package for JOY. Wondering, she
unwrapped it, to find key lying
in bed of cotton in a used candy
box. Under the key lay a note.
This is for you. III explain the
first night you'll let me. Leave word
at the boarding. house, when 1 can
see you. Davey."
The thought of Davey was like a
cool breeze on joys troubled mind.
She was more disturbed by Mattie's
gossip than she cared to admit, so
she put through a call to the board
ing house at once. Come for me to-
night, little before eight" was the
message she left.
She found herself watching the
clock as evening drew near. She
was feeling neglected. Deke had
not called her and there had been
no word from Carter. Now obeying
kindlier impulse she called the
Deacon home to inquire for Mr. Dea-
con.
The maid connected her with
Deke's mother. "How nice Of you to
~ think my husband is better to-
night He is so glad to have Henry
back. Do you think Henry looks
well?"