The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-03-05

Dehe StuCh His HdHuS III his pOCh-
cts and thought rapidly.
"See here, Joyce, what were you
going to do after you graduated next
week, anyway"
.. why, I hadn't thought much
about it," said the girl slowly. IT
knew 1 couldn't go to college. So I
just sort of planned to stay home
a while, then get some kind of work.
Dads wouldn't let me take business
course. He wanted me to stay home
until-until got married"
you ought to go on to school,"
said Deke. tits a shame for you to
have to stop now. If were through
but that's no use. I've got to fin
ish one more year; then I'll be
through college and I'm going into
through now. Do you know what
I'd do? I'd ask you to marry me-"
Joyce made no answer. Davey's
proposal had thrilled her far more.
Then Butch. And now Deke. What
nice boys they all were. each in his
way, when her happiness was
threatened.
There's no use being sentimental
about this" said Deke. I'm crazy
about you. 1 never knew a girl to
upset me so before. And ! think
you like me. But It's too soon to
know whether it's the real thing or
not. We couldn't either of us be
sure. But 1 want to see you lot
and Joyce, do want to ask you
this: Will you wait a year before
you marry anybody? You're awful
ly young. Right now want to teach
you all about love. But it wouldn't
be fair, you're tired, and distracted
with this home trouble. But / do
want to help you.
"I don't know what you can do"
said Joyce miserably. You needn't
worry about my getting married.
From what I've seen of marriage it
isn't much fun anyway"
Joyce" Deke spoke sharply.
Don't talk that way. You ought to
see my father and mother. Happy
as they can be. They started out
poor like your father and mother,
and now dad has loads Of money, but
it hasn't spoiled either Of them a bit.
They'd love you for what you are,
just as do"
~ Deke walked twice around the
room. Then he came to a decision.
do you know what think, Joyce?"
he said. He put his hands on her
shoulders for a moment, then put
them firmly behind his back. II
don't think you ought to go with
either your father or mother. You're
eighteen now and can do as you
please. Now I've got some money
about a thousand dollars-that's all
mine. An aunt left It to me. Let
me give you that; lend you that II
you prefer, and you take 1t and go
to school somewhere this fall. Then
next spring when I'm through col
lege perhaps we can be married. And
If you don't want me then why Wen
forget about the money and be good
friends anyway"
Joyce was frankly crying now.
"Deke, Deke," she sobbed. That's
wonderful of you. But l couldn't
I just couldn't. Thank you a million
times. But don't you see how
couldn't"
mo, I don't" said Deke bluntly.
But II you can't, you can't. The
offers open anytime you want it,"
You must go now, Deke," said
Joy, holding out her hand. 1.-THE
folks will be home soon and they
mustn't find you here. That would
only make it harder. Good-by."
You're going to let me hear from
you, Joy. Don't forget that" said
Deke earnestly.
Eyes, yes" she nodded. "Now. go!
Please"
Deke hesitated a moment, then
left without touching her.
Joyce went back into her bedroom.
Her mind was made up. She tossed
the most presentable part Of her
wardrobe into a travelling bag. From
a dresser drawer she took a bank
book in which the first entry was
June IL, 1907-$1", for her first
birthday. There was a total now OF
two hundred dollars. She thrust it
into her coat pocket.
Then she took a sheet of note
paper and wrote rapidly:
Mother dear and Dads:
'Since you can't keep a home for
me any longer, am going away. l
know 1 will miss my graduation,