The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-08-22

4
was plunging on recxlessly, MAX
ing no slightest effort. OF save his
own face. Vee-Vee, listening to hin
in mounting horror, knew that he
no longer considered her worth such
an effort.
"You admit then that you are q
fortune-hunter, that you had in
tended to take Nan Fosdick's mil.
lion until came along with forty
millions, as you thought?" Her
voice was whiplash of scorn.
II admit nothing. I don't have
to admit anything to you'll" he
lashed at her.
you'll have to admit, Mr.. Shuler
B. Smith, "that I told you of my
own free will and accord that ] was
not Vivian Crandall, that I insisted
upon convincing you"
Eyes, when told you the truth
about my own financial condition, y
he jeered, his mouth twisting hide
ously. IT wasn't big enough game
for you. You had to talk fast or
I'd have married you'll Good Godl
I'd have married a cheap little
crook, masquerading as one Of the
richest heiresses in Americal No,
you aren't so cheap" he amended
bitterly, banging his clenched fist
against the wheel Of the car.
THAT would have been a rich
joke on you, wouldn't it?" Vee-Vee
asked, with singing sarcasm.
well, Mr.. Smith-you see, know
your real name; have known 1t
from the first day; have known
also that you were only a secretary
like myself-that you saved
money all year for this splurge.
And yet" her voice changed In
spite of herself. ct loved you any
way, thought you might be glad
that I was poor, like yourself
Why, I wouldn't believe it when
Nan and Mrs. Fosdick told me you
were society hanger-on, four
husher, a fortune-hunter. ! had
fallen in love with you at sight,
came here because you were here"
eyes, after you'd had your ac-
complete to remodel you into an
exact copy Of Vivian Crandall," the
man cut in violently. "By heaven,
you're both guilty of a crime, and
I'm going to see that you are
punished, you and this Jerry
What's -his-name Of yours" He
lunged forward to hold the letter
under the light again, to find the
name that had hardly registered in
his quick reading.
"Give me that letter." Vee-Vee
commanded him harshly. you're
not fit to touch 1t or to say his
name. Give 1t to me, I sayl" She
struggled with him for the crack
ling sheets, succeeded in tearing
them from his hands. When she
had them at last, she leaned far
over the side of the car, tearing
them into tiny bits, f1inging them
away on the brisk night breeze.
SNOW" she painted, facing him
deflantly, her green eyes blazing in
the dark like an angry cats, what
are you going to do Mr.. Smith,"
I'm going to take you back to
the Minnetonkan and turn you over
to the detectives who arc waiting
for you," he told her roughly.
"Finel" she applauded sarcasti-
cally. "And won't your friends en-
joy the story? The elegant Mr..
Schuyler Snlythe, who ditched a
devoted nillionairess for a penny
princess-Oh, you'll be popular at
the Minnetonka for the rest of your
two weeks vacation, Mr.. Smythel
Of course" she pretended to con-
slider thoughtfully, "tley might not
believe your story. They might
chuckle and say that Vivian Gran
dali had simply outsmarted another
fortune hunter--" She left the SEN
tence in the air, smile Juggling at
the dimple In the left corner of her
mouth.
The man jerked up his head and
stared at her, at first incredulously,
then with horror-horror Of himself,
Of his own stupidity. He gulped,
clawed at his collar with trembling
fingers, closed his eyes and shook
his head as II to dispel some fright