The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-03-02
CHAPTER II
BY THE FIRE ESCAPE

Joy was p!66illIl6 IASLoCAA OSAOAS
the only good mirror in the house.
1t stood in the large bedroom used
by her father and mother. Mrs.
Daring had just left for her work
and Joy made ready to lay aside the
lovely dress, her very first party
dress that mother dear had made
for her. She peered again into the
mirror, then reached up to turn on
the lights, although sunshine
streamed in the window.
Her first marcel. She was not
sure she liked the even sleek waves
as we'll as her own naturally rebel
lious curls. But all the girls wore
their hair that way, all the girls she
admired at least. Her shining head
looked older and wiser than the
topsy-turvy one she was accustomed
to seeing in the glass.
And her bare white arms, and her
slender neck, the little hollow at the
base of her Throat, the slight swell
of her breasts under the soft silk
all of this new beauty made her
seem another Joyce. All but her
eyes. They were still the same grey,
eager, and yet with something wise
and deep in them.
IT really think I'm pretty today"
she half whispered to herself. Il
wish my lips weren't so red already.
I simply can't use any lipstick on
them, though of course, l would
have to wait until I left the house
for Dads would never let me go If
he thought / was even talcum pow
dered."
She took off the dress. hung 1t
with its pale green silk slip over a
padded hanger and with a last lin
gering look closed the closet door on
it's loneliness. Dads would soon be
home and she must have an espec-
ALLY nice supper for him tonight.
She specialized little about Henry
Deacon as she peeled the potatoes
for supper. Would he come to the
dance? And If he came, would he
think her pretty? He knew so many
beautiful rich girls who could have
lovely clothes all the time. She had
seen him just once since the night
he had rescued her from Butch
Settler. He had been passing slowly
in his bright Marmon Catching a
glimpse of her in the grocery store,
he had stopped. But when he asked
her to ride home with him she had
faltered and looked so fearful that
he had driven on. If Dads saw him
or suspected she had spoken to him
there would be no dance for Joy, and
she did want to go to this last dance
terribly. If only Deke came!
A heavy step in the hallway sent
Joyce flying to the door.
Dads dearr' She flung her arms
about him and pulled his head down.
There, right on the bald spot, Dads
dear. Hurry now. Supper's nearly
ready, and as soon as it is over you'll
see your Joyce all dressed up as she
never was before"
"All right, lass" said the big man
numbering YEARLY in to the living
room and slumping into a chair
"Davey coming for supper"
Mercy me-" said Joyce, haven't
I enough to do with getting dressed
for the party without bothering with
company"
"Davey's not company" said her
father, patting her shoulder as he
went in to wash up. Presently he
returned and the two sat down at
the kitchen table spread with a red
checked cloth, and decked with a
rosebud of Joyce's buying.
"Daveyw cried joyce, flushed with
excitement that the great moment
of going to the dance was so near:
She ran to the door and almost fell
into the arms of the carefully dressed
young man waiting in the hall.
"Oh Davey, how grand you look!'
Joyce looked proudly at her young
man, dressed in white flannels and
a blue coat with white carnation
in his buttonhole. "For me!' ex.
citedly as Davey held box toward
her. She tore off the paper. Roses"
lovely pale pink blossoms in e nest
of green. ooh, Davey" For a mo-
ment she felt tempted to kiss him,
then a sort of shyness paralyzed
her. She held the flowers out to her
father. Dads, Dads, dear, aren't
they glorious? Oh, just wait you two
until you see me all ready for the
party!'
"She's a wee bit of lass" said
John Daring, trying to speak gruff-
ly, but she's full of devilment. She
needs a firm hand, Davey boy"
''I think she's perfect just as she
is" said Davey stoutly.
faye, when you think how little
she's known a mother these last
years." said the father signing
heavily.
ct think Joyce thinks more of her
mother and minds her better than
lots of girls whose mothers stay
home all the time," said Davey.
John Daring looked at the young