The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-04-12

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1 don't see why she should hold it
against me that 1 couldn't tell her. "
80 that's it?" SAID Frankly. well,
she just poured vitriol all over poor
you at a dance the other night.
Some one mentioned your name and
you should have heard her"
"Why did she say" Joyce asked
with interest.
20, just that you had Deke all
lined up and threw him over when
you heard he wasn't going to have
any money any more, and that your
sending Carter away was just a stall
TO get your reputation back and that
you were holding out for more than
Carter cared to give you in the
realm of cold cash and diamonds
She threw in a few other little facts
for good measure"
"Why-why-the idea, Joyce
stammered Indignantly.
"Oh, Of course, we all knew it was
trash. She's been crazy about Car
ter for two seasons now and he
plsys around with her sometimes be-
cause she fiatters him a lot. told
her she was q damn liar and let it
go at that"
Thank you, Frankly" said Joyce,
knowing that Frankly had probably
used even stronger language at the
time and grateful for her loyalty.
I'm for you, honey. want you
to marry Deke, of course. He's the
salt of the earth, but you take your
own sweet time Dekes so busy
now anyway that he's getting thin
as a rail"
Il tell him not to work so hard,
said Joyce in a troubled tone, "but
he won't pay any attention to me.
Tell me, Frankly. do you know, are
things really in bad way for the
Deacons?"
Frankly shot her companion
keen glance. She put no credence
in the talk of Joys mercenary in
tentions. but she wondered why the
question was asked.
81 guess they are. A lot of peo-
pie are trying to get rid of their
stock. My father says it's a shame
TO withdraw their money when Deke
is working so hard and all he needs
is a chance"
"If I thought Deke really needed
me, said Joyce shyly, I'd ask him
to let well, let me help him more"
Marrying him, you mean?"
Frankly asked
Joyce nodded
Don't do it," Frankly advised
'He needs to keep his mind all on
his work now and you'd just distract
his attention. You stand by for a
few months more and then wei
celebrate a double victory. Deke
will get you and his old factory all in
running order all at the same time"
They said little more on the ride
and Frankly drove on after dropping
Joyce at the Maltby residence.
Mrs. Maltby welcomed the girl in
her usual kind manner. They were
well into the last part Of vanity
Fair" now and Joyce was enjoy
ing the talks about the book that
followed the reading. intensely.
Now. as she considered Becky's
persecution OF poor Amelia she
thought with a start OF her own sit
uation. When the reading was over
for the day she asked Mrs. Maltby
question.
DO you think one girl ever really
has it in for another girl over
man. The way Becky does in this
story"
I'm afraid So said Mrs Maltby
women are often very cruel TO each
other cruelest where a man Is con-
cerned. There seems to be no limit
to the things they will say and do
to iniure some one they are jealous
Of Why do you ask"
Joyce told her of the gossip Cath
crime Sherwn was spreading. OF
late she had made a constant con-
fdante of Mrs. Maltby and treas
ured the manner in which the older
woman listened and made wise COM
ments without imposing advice.
"I wouldn't worry about that a
great deal il ! were you" she said
now. 80 long as there isn't any
truth in it. not even enough to give
it color, you have nothing to fear
from her. She is constantly carry
ng tales about people and no one
uits much faith in what she says.
she is in danger OF growing into
I second Matilda Truesdale. I fear"
How true that ISL Joyce ex-
rlaimed. I'D never thought OF that
before. Why, they are like sisters,
only Of course Katy is much pref
tier. l didn't know they began so
young" she finished naively.
Mrs. Maltby laughed. "Gossips of
that type are born and not made,
my dear" she said
Joyce dismissed Catherine Sher-
wins malice from her mind and
thought of it only OCCASIONALLY when
she saw the girl in the lobby, u.s.
ally with Miss Truesdale or with
Mrs. Fitz.Simmons, that perennially
good natured busybody who believed
that every one in the world was
generous and kind.
The habit grew on Joyce of ac-
cepting invitations from transient
guests at the hotel. Several eve
nings a week now she would meet
some one of the men. who was
lodged there temporarily and ac-
company him to dinner, to the
theater, or to a semi.private dance.
Sn1,nat i1nnns tha man xrnro M rrinl