The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-08-04

| ture and stood back from ROD,
smiling mockingly at him.
you've guessed it, think she
said coolly. THE things never were
stolen. What do you make of that?
Make of it?'. Rod echoed, rem
dered less accusing by her uncring-
ing attitude.
"Oh, Rod" Lila said with surpris-
ing Softness, don't be a complete
idiot any longer. You must know
why I did it."
If did I'd no doubt be too smart
to have let you put it over" Rod
replied. Il guess I'm a complete
idiot, all right
Lila moved swiftly toward him,
and put her hands on his arms.
Rod" she breathed, Rod, I had
to do it."
Rod stared down at her in utter
establishment. Lila's eyes we're dark
lamps in a mist, filled with indie
Scribable pathos.
Il had to make that moment over
our glasses come true" she said,
that moment at the table tonight
You never would have said it, Rod
darling, but it was in your heart.
1 knew it. I'd have done anything
to make youu speak. And I never
intended to let you pay for the jew
els. Oh you dear stupid, never to
have guessed that I gave you an
empty case.
Rod silenced her by tearing her
hands hastily from his arms, where
gradually they had been creeping
toward his shoulders. Lila, for
Gods sake . =" he began, but she
interrupted him with a soft palm
on his lips.
mot so loud" she cautioned.
"And don't act as if I'd murdered
you or something. You must have
known for months that we'd have
to have an understanding some day.
Well, I'm glad the time has come.
I couldn't stand it any longer"
But what did you do that for?"
Rod asked her. you don't know
what I've gone through over that
fake theft"
eyes, I do" Lila contradicted;
"but don't you see, Rod, that it
served to put things in their true
light for you?"
How do you mean?" Rod ques-
toned sharply.
why, mean about us, and
BERTHE Lou, of course"
I'm afraid you're jumping to
conclusions" Rod rejoined; every
thing is hopelessly muddled as far
as I am concerned.
Lila made an impatient gesture.
why do you make me say it?"
she cried. Cant you see that if
you hadn't got in trouble you
wouldn't have found out that BERTHE
Lou doesn't care anything about
you? That she was only interested
in your future success with Cy?
When you put stop to her ex-
travagance she found someone with
money to spend on her, didn't she?"
Rod was white, You mean you
faxed that theft to get me in
hole?" he asked.
To make you think me a good
friend" Lila explained; ito get you
to thinking of me with gratitude.
You've always loved me, Rod; if
you hadn't started hating me simply
because we couldn't afford to marry
each other you'd never have
imagined that you didn't love me.
Do we have to be cheated out Of
happiness forever simply because
you made mistake like that? I've
never stopped loving you" she added
and moved forward again to throw
herself into his arms.
II know I tricked you" she went
on as Rod sought to loosen her arms
from his neck, "but that old bro
mide about love and war is as good
today as it ever was.
IT wouldn't have taken any money
from you, but I had to do something
to start you caring for me again, and
I did help you with Cyrus, you
know"
She paused and looked beseech-
ingly at him. "You do love me, don't
you?" she pleaded and, reached up
quickly to put her lips to his.
ITO Be Continued