The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-09-17

| a charming background LOT neTSell
He made good salary. Her owl
position in town was now well as
Sured.
How much more delightful to b
with him than to brood like cap
tive bird in the cage of the Hol
Landslide mansion! She told her
self, after knowing Eric, it woul'
have been impossible.
AS the holidays approached the.
seemed to draw more closely to
gether. Wistfully, as If Raymond
coming were a menace. Yet he wa
never mentioned.
The night before he was to arrivl
Eric asked her to go for a walk
Nancy put on her raincoat and the.
tramped through the rain up Syca
more Hill. Halfway up he stopped
do you remember, sweetheart?'
"I'll never forget" she replied.
They kissed, silently, but nov
Nancy's cheeks were wet not only
from the rain. There was something
about her love for him which
frightened her. It's roots were suni
SO deeply into her heart. 49,.
consciously Important Almost Of.
fensively possessivel
"I'n be over at three o'clock
Nancy"
"All right" she agreed.
Oh, God, the dreariness of life
If it had to be lived with himl
Amanda was being a mother.
Il thought I'd clean the parlor-
I mean the living room-so's II
would look nice and fresh"
Don't bother, Mother"
mo bother at all. There's a rose
on the bush at the south Of the
house. You'd better cut it and put
it in that little crystal vase"
Nancy, staring out the window
did not reply.
Nancy" Amanda cried, anxious
ly, you're going to be nice to him
aren't your"
"of course, darlingl I'm always
nice.
But she couldn't fool chat mothe,
OF hers. Tears rose to\ Amanda:
eyes. Her toilworn hands frightened
on the oil mop.
BE careful, dearie. Don't do some.
thing you're going to regret. Yo,
may never have chance like thi.
again"
Nancy kissed the troubled brow.
Don't worry, mother. It's m,
own life. I'm the one who ha,
to live it.
Unable to say more, she ran from
the house and carefully plucked tn,
Christmas rose.
Raymond came promptly. Had h,
always been so ordinary looking
Nancy turned cold with distaste ans
q sickening sense OF unfamiliarity
He seemed so different.
But she, took his hand, crying
gayly, welcome homer
Eagerly he drew her into his arms
i've thought about this fol
months, Flow are you, Nancy?"
Fine" she admitted, pulling
away.
He frightened his embrace.
What's the matter, dear? Dom
you want me to kiss you?"
She could not look at him, sht
was so afraid he would sense tn,
instant repulsion his touch hae
reused. AS if Eric's arms were still
about her. Warding him of. 49,.
Lets sit down." she evaded.
Raymond's face darkened.
But Nancy l thought when
came back. :. You remember? you
SAID.
So she was forced to face 1t.
There was nothing definite about
our understanding, Raymond. You
made it clear that neither of us was
to feel tied"
He released her then, crying bit
terly. "Of course, it's this damned
Swede. I might have known"
why. Raymond, what do yor
mean?"
"You don't suppose I haven't
heard about him and the way he:
been rushing your But had con.
f1dence enough in you to think II
were only amusing yourself"
Nancy did not reply.
II thought our love was too big
he continued, "for you to lose your
head over the first new man who
came to town."
1T isn't that. I suppose you d.
think I'm changeable. But it might
just as easily have been the othe,
way round"
ut couldn't have been. I haven
met girl I give a continental for
His loyalty hurt.
I'm sorry, Raymond, but, aftel
all, that was the understanding
wasn't it?"
Then you admit you care NOR,
for him than you do for me?"
"Oh, my dearl" she cried, un,
consciously cruel I'VE were neve,
really in love-"
She wondered why he gazed a
her so strangely. not realizing tina
her whole being was transformed
when she spoke Of her lover.
"I see," Raymond said slowly.
Her shining eyes and radiant
glowing face had convinced himNs
no words could have done.
Mental