The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-07-16
CHAPTER XVI

FORTUNATELY Cne money A0
allied on the sale of their fur
niture came to Rod and BERTHE Lou
soon after the night of their dis
astrous party. Ever since that al
fair they had maintained sllgnt
though visible aloofness TOWARD
each other. Something must be done
to end this.
Each longed to get back on the
old lost ground, yet, as is not I'M
common, neither would take the
Arst stem to end the strained rela-
tions. what was needed to heal the
breach was some outside influence.
THAT influence was the money
from home. For they received more
money than they'd expected. And
when YOU are dying to buy a hun
dred and one things and there's
money only for the one thing, you
are really thrilled at the sight OF o
windfall.
Now Rod could repay Tom. That
was his first thought. BERTHE Lou
said that Rod could get a new
overcoat.
while she hadn't told him that
she thought he was sadly in need OF
one she was sorry to see MN wear
inc a topcoat in weather that was
turning snappy. But nothing short
of binding blizzard could nave
forced her to suggest that ne get
an overcoat and charge IL.
Bertie Lou opened the letter con-
tanning the money. 1t was from
her mother. And when she saw the
check she became so excited she
forgot there was any ice 10 De
broken :. the ice was broken
smashed.
The ideal state q bliss before the
quarrel was completely restored. She
few right into Rods arms, OF course
And naybe he wasn't glad to have
her there!
"You act like kid in pink pan
ties and lolly-pop," he laughed
very oldish.
"I'll meet you at lunch time ana
we'll buy you new overcoat, sne
cried. waving the check like nag
Of victory.
This morning Rod kissed her
when he went to work. Really
kissed her. No silly little pecks that
are a disgrace to honest people.
BERTHE Lou flew around the apart
ment, hurrying the housewtrk SO
she could have plenty OF time 10
dress for lunch with Rod.
They hadn't lunched together
since they left the hotel, and Ber-
tie Lou was looking forward to the
event with happiness.
But there was one shadow that
loomed on her horizon. Rod mao
remarked the day before that Tom
had been asking him why they were
keeping so much to themselves.
Molly wanted to know, it seemed
whv Berthe Lou hadn't called her
I'D or been around to visit her.
That was just like Molly, BERTHE
Lou thought. Expecting people to
call her up. She could have phoned
herself.
But maybe-and this was not a
comforting thought-she had wanted
to impress Tom with the ungrateful
neglect Of people he had helped
along. It certainly seemed as II
she had an ak to grind
The idea of setting Tom to ques-
ton Rod when she might so easily
have learned for herself that BERTHE
Lou was absorbed in getting the
apartment furnished.
That was the excuse BERTHE Lou
had prepared. The apartment. So
much to do. Because she wouldn't
90 near Molly while Lila was there
nor any other time, if she didn't
have to.
OF course, there hadn't been much
time for Rod to repeat what BERTHE
Lou said to him. supposing he'd be
so reckless, so she wasn't prepared
to have Molly telephone her, sup
posing Molly would.
She thought it must be Rod. Calls
seldom came in except from him
She took down the receiver with q
feeling that he was going to tell hel
he couldn't lunch with her.
Molly's voice surprised her. well
did it cripple you to step out?'
Molly asked conplainingly.
'Why haven't you been over?"
tive been too busy" BERTHE Lou
replied shortly.
''You must be making museum
out of the apartment" Mollie re-
marked She was in a better MOOD
than BERTHE Lou expected. But you
can take a day off, can't you"
"I've still got lot to do" BERTHE
Lou evaded.
IT really oughtn't to tell you the
news" Molly returned, you're Sc
stubborn"
Her voice was too mysteriouslI
promising for BERTHE LOUIS indiffer'
ence. What news?" she asked.
"Well, here it is in headline
Lila's getting married"
"Wha-a-a-t?" BERTHE Lol
screeched.
"Sure. To that Mr.. Loree we me
at the Arabesdue. You remembe
him, don't you?"
"Of course. Go on tell me al
about i'll"
You'll have to come over if vol
want to hear the rest. It's a lon
story. Anyway Lila wants to Sc
you. Come to lunch.
1T can't, Molly. I'm meeting Ro'
downtown to help him pick out al
overcoat."
'Well, we don't lunch until one
Can't you see him before that time?
~ told him I'd lunch with him.
"Look here" Molly said, irritablS
whats the idea Of this? You
have plenty Of time to lunch wit