The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-04-08


alpha to omega" said Carter, dream
lily watching his cigaret smoke.
He took a second package from
his pocket. you must shut your
eyes for a moment" he said.
Joyce obeyed. She heard the
rustic of paper. Then she felt some
thing cool and smooth slip down hel
cheek. She opened her eyes. Car
ter laid in her hands the ends of d
long string OF perfectly matched
pearls.
Garter" Her exclamation was
one of pure delight. She slipped the
gems off and let them run between
her fingers. How beautiful, how
very, very beautiful"
Carter watched her. Pearls were
made for you," he said
Joyce let them drop to her lap
and watched them dreamily. What
would follow this gift?
Joy" his voice was eager. "Will
you go with me tonight to sail for
the south seas, the sunshine, the
violets, the long, lazy day, the-love
/ I spoke of a moment ago."
She looked at him, dazed.
Yes, it can be DONE" he said
I'VE can leave at midnight Tomor,
row we can be in New York. There
you can have lovely clothes beyond
your widest dreams. We can live
there together, out of the reach OF
gossip, of evil tongues, and when
you tire of New York we will GO
abroad and see all the beauties OF
the old world. You need never come
back to this drab life, Joyce. You
were made for love, for happiness
for all the beautiful things in the
world. And 1 can give them to you. -
Joyce sat staring. Surely this
was a dream, this offer Of all that
she had longed some day to do.
II love you, Joyce. I want you,
1 want you as have never wanted
another woman in all my life. You
are the most wonderful-and the
last"
He took her hand in his. Joyce
shrank back from him. She tried
to speak.
At last the words came. Are you
are you-do you want to marry
me?" she asked with pitiful BRAY.
cry.
Carter laughed gently.
What does it matter, Joyce, if ]
love you?"
But, but 1 Couldn't couldn't
unless" she felt a sense of humili
alton that he did not make it easier
! for her.
| Tell me-" his voice was command
ing. Tell me, what difference does
marriage make? Has it kept your
father and mother from being un
happy? Think OF the married PEG
pie you know. Are they happy?
No; marriage kills love"
But when love is gomez" Joyce
asked.
Love doesn't CO." said Carter
1T changes the object of it's regard
But once having known love, nc
man, nor woman, can live without
it."
But do you think you would care
for me always"
81 cannot promise that. Joyce
darling" said the man. II love you
now, more than could tell you. But
always is long time
Suppose I went with YOU" sale
Joyce, gaining courage from his
calmness, land then you tired OF
me-"
There would always be other
men," said Carter. You would be
young, beautiful, rich, for / will set
tie money on you that will always
be yours whether I am with you OF
not. You might even then be able
TO marry" -
Joyce shuddered a little.
She felt far away. Nothing thai
Carter said was real These flowers
were not real. The room was not
real. Carriers words, his offers OF
luxury were all part of some vivit
dream.
II will not try to deceive you
Joyve. 1 am not offering you mar
riage.e Marriage means nothing. A:
soon as ] was sure Of you and yol
were sure of me we would come t.
hate each other. AS I show life t.
you there will always be the spice
of danger, of uncertainty, keying us
I both to our best. / must always
love you passionately, or you viii
leave me. Yout must always bt
beautiful, or l will cast you aside
See how frank I am. Look"
He took his check book from hi.
pocket. I'm give you a hundred
thousand dollars now, for your own
You need never touch it. Twill buy
you everything you can want OF
dream of wanting. This money viii
be your insurance against a time
when you may want to leave me-"
More fantasy, more unrealities, il
a world grown dim to the girls ears
Now he was coming closer to her
Now she was in his arms. She could
feel his heart beating loudly agains
her breast What was all this wilt
talk Of jewels, furs, money, to her
Joyce Daring?
4 She pulled away from him ant
faced him, her eyes dilated.
Don't touch mew she cried.
Carter smiled at her indulgently
Our train leaves at midnight" HI
said.
Joyce flung the pearls from her.
go away" she cried. "I dom
want to see you again, ever"
Come now, Joyce" he said in thu
same kindly tone. Don't be theat
rical. DofNt make a scene. Loci
at it sensibly. 1 offer you every
beautiful thing there is on the earth
and l will take you in search of it.
but what are you asking me il
return?" Joyce asked. quietly. Sh,
felt mistress of the situation now.
THE privilege of teaching you al
the meanings of love, madame" hC
said half mockingIv howinp IN her