The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-04-19
CHAPTER XLIII
A Ride With Carter

- tSiuO Sa'ANa
Joyce was of two minds about go
ing with Carter.
In the quarter of an hour that i
took him to reach her apartment
she took off her hat and put it bacl
on again half a dozen times.
Hearing his knock she told her
self freely, Don't be silly. Whar
is half an hours drive? There viii
be dozens of ways of avoiding hin
at the clubhouse"
She summoned a smile to her face
and went to open the door. She felt
an absurd sense of relief when she
saw that Roberts, the chauffeur
stood waiting.
May l take your bags, Miss?'
he asked courteously,
There they are, Joyce said,
pointing them out. She locked the
door and followed him down tho
stairs. Carter was standing on the
sidewalk and helped her into the
limousine, while Roberts piled her
luggage on the drivers seat beside
him.
you are looking WELL" Carter told
her, seating himself at distance
from her in the limousine.
And you look as though your trip
had done you good, too" she an
swer7d.
"Violets and sunshinee," he muir
INJURED, half mokingly.
Joyce flushed and looked deter
minedly at the passing houses.
How long a drive is it," she
asked at last, forcing herself to
speak.
Il will ask Roberts," he replied,
taking up the speaking tube. I'VE
have a drive of an hour" he said.
turning to her.
Joyce felt that he was mocking
her. Very well, she would ignore
him.
THANK you" she said coldly.
Garter laughed freely, and with
out restraint, then he took her hand.
Forgive me, Joyce" he said.
THAT was mean of me, I'll admit. d"
Joyce laughed unwillingly. They
had been behaving like bad children
she knew. She withdrew her hand.
please, Joyce" he pleaded. "I'll
be good"
VERY we'll" she smiled at him.
And I will, too"
The atmosphere Between them be-
came marvelously clear. Carter was
his old friendly self He encouraged
her 10 talk and listened to her
chatter with an air of interest.
And Franky?" he asked pres.
emily, when she had told him all the
news Of Deke that she felt would
interest him.
"F'ranky's coming home soon, in
week or ten days. She seems to
have wonderful time. 1 think she
feels it's her last fling at luxury for
she wants to be married in August
and she's determined to be poor. it
seems her flance won't hear of her
even accepting an allie vance from
her father and mother.
Don't you think that's foolish.
Joyce,P Cate asked, letting his eyes
rest on her glowing face.
Il think it's wonderful to care
that much" Joyce answered, looking
down.
Her words brought second sill.
ence between them. but it was an
easy silence without embarrassment
for either of them.
Carter was noting her suit, her
slim, smart shoes. her air of chic.
Where did she get those clothes?'
he was asking himself. He was toe
practiced a connoisseur of women's
apparel to believe that these were
clothes of joys own making. or, OF
department store vintage. ALBERT al
least" he said to himself.
Then he shrugged. What did 1,
matter where she got them? It con
firmed his judgment that she could
be made to appear a credit to his
fastidious taste in women. The tail
ored lines Of her suit and hat some
how emphasized her girlishness. The
color in her face, her interested eyes
her gay manner, made his heart beat
faster. He promised himself Ions
draughts Of her loveliness, soon
very soon.
They were running along a coun
try road bordered by tall bare cliffs
/ Trees were Just beginning to show
a tender green. There was a soft
promising warmth to the air. They
dipped down one hill and climbed
another. Joyce clapped her hand.
like a child at the sight of an earlS
robin sitting gravely on a fence.
He looks so comical, like 9
weather prophet" she told Carter.
What kind of weather is he pre-