The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-30

I on BERTHE Lou'S-her lips buried IN
the girls rich brown curls. Honey
listen. Lila is here" she whis-
pered.
BERTHE Lou stiffened slightly. Then
she flung her arms around her
mothers neck, kissed her on the
nose and broke away, apparently
as happy as she had been a moment
before. The bevy Of welcomers
swept her on into her new home
isn't it lovely, BERTHE Lou? We
all helped Rods mother pick out
the rugs! Too bad she isn't here!"
BERTHE Lou listened through it
ALL exclaiming, enthusing, satisfying
them. But to her mothers ears her
voice rang just a shade hollow.
Mrs. Ward watched the dining
room door, dreading the moment
when Lila should choose to make
her presence known.
Finally. as they we're about to
lead BERTHE Lou into the dining
room, Lila appeared in the door
way.
welcome home" she cried gayly
and came up to kiss BERTHE Lou.
Rod looked on with touch Of
amazement. He had not expected
Lila to keep her word.
He'd believed she was just clown
ing at his wedding to give people
something to talk about. That was
how she explained most of the
things she did.
The girls were watching BERTHE
Lou. She hadn't turned a hair
when she saw Lila.
She had let herself be kissed
without any evident unwillingness
and II she was not warm 70 Lila,
she was not cold either. Everyone
was left guessing.
i've started some coffee for you, -
Lila sang out to Rod as he moved
away from her to follow BERTHE Lou,
who had gone into the dining
room.
Mrs. Ward turned upon her, So
that was what had kept her from
showing herself! Coffee" she
echoed. "On a hot day like thisP"
Lila replied that she intended to
ice it.
Rod hates lemonade" she added,
apropos of the refreshment Mrs.
Ward had provided for the occa-
sion.
Mrs. Wards eyes blazed but she
was glad that BERTHE Lou and the
other girls were out Of hearing. She
resolved that there should be no
coffee served, iced or otherwise. I'M
less BERTHE Lou so wished.
She went swiftly into the dining
room and up to BERTHE Lou. Shall
we make iced coffee for Rod?" she
asked in a strained voice.
just then one of the girls opened
the kitchen door and BERTHE Lou
caught a Whit of fragrant Mocha
and Java.
1t was gift from the grocer
downstairs. She thought that her
mother had already gone to the
trouble of making it and was anx-
ious to know if Rod would like it.
He'd love it. Nuns, if it isn't too
much trouble"
Mrs. Ward breathed a sigh of re-
lief, thankful that BERTHE Lou hadn't
been in ignorance of Rods taste
for iced coffee.
1t would have been awkward to
dispose of it if BERTHE Lou had said
not to have it. Especially since Rod
liked it.
Lila said nothing more about the
coffee. She didn't much care
whether the others knew anything
about it or not. Her sole object in
tormenting BERTHE Lou was to bite
on a sore tooth.
She was half sorry for herself,
half angry with Rod and half hate
full of BERTHE Lou. But she hadn't
yet made up her mind to try to
cause any real trouble.
So Rod got tall glass of coffee
and thanked Mrs. Ward for it with
out the slightest understanding of
the smiling quirk on LilaS lips.
He hadn't paid any attention
when she told him she's made cof-
fee. He really thought it was Mrs.
Wards idea.
The rest drank lemonade and
consumed to the last crumb the
hree-colored marble cake Mrs.
Ward had baked. Marcella sug-
gested washing the glasses and
plates but BERTHE LOUIS mother re-
fused to let them.
They sensed a nervous tension in
the manner and it finally dawned
upon them that a welcome home
party should be brief to be sue
cessful.
Lila was the last to go. Com
ing?" she said to Mrs. Ward. The
latter answered with a curt mo"
"Oh, don't be comic strip
mother-in-law," Lila told her. Mrs.
Ward ignored her impudence by
turning away from the door where
Lila stood and deliberately fingered
to keep BERTHE Lou standing, plainly
tired and travel-stained.
Suddenly BERTHE Lou lost her
temper.
Suppose you come in in the
morning and cook breakfast for
u.s." she said sweetN; you're so
willing and Rod,s oS4aY, told mo Joou,