The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-08-13
CHAPTER XII
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brought it to a stop. Then he turned
to BERTHE Lou and kissed her. She
closed her eyes and kissed him back.
1t was fair.
Quickly she pulled herself away.
'Let me CO." she cried wildly. MAR
co, didn't mean it; there was
nothing in that kiss, nothing"
Marco WINGED. st know" he said
quietly. ut was a dud, but I liked
it, BERTHE Lou"
There was a boyish simplicity in
the way he said it that made BERTHE
Louis heart ache for him. "You
ought to hate me, Marco" she told
him.
81 was just thinking about your
money, about how easy you could
make lift for me. I was afraid.
Afraid to stay here and live forever
in a dreary hall bedroom. For I
can't go home, I can't. Oh, Marco,
don't know what to dol"
Marco didn't know, either, beyond
offering her nice tweed shoulder to
cry on. He was deeply shaken him
self. Fright up to the pearly gates"
he jeered in silent self-mockery.
well, anyway powder your nose
and you'll feeel better" he said
aloud. eff can't be any more than
a friend, I insist upon having you
look your best"
You're the incest person I
know" BERTHE Lou told him, dabbing
at her eyes and half laughing,
half crying.
yeah, nice" Marco shifted.
"Don't you know, BERTHE Lou, that
you're girl in million? I knew
darned well what was doing when
tried to hound you into marrying
me. I've heard dads money talk too
many times not to know what an
agreeable sound it makes. thought
I could buy you. And would, too,
If you'd have me-"
BERTHE Lou put hand on his. eff
I loved you the least little bit,
Marco, it would make me awfu'ly
happy to be your wife. But 1 don't
1 like you immensely. So much that
it's going to hurt not to see you any
more"
That's a grief you'll never know"
Marco replied. Gust try not seeing
me any more and you will find that
this nice side of me you seem to
know so much about is only dis
guise."
"It will be you, Marco, who will
end our friendship" BERTHE Lou
said soberly. I'm not going to any
more parties or night clubs"
Il don't expect you to until you
get stronger"
BERTHE Lou shook her head. mot
even then. I never really enjoyed
pretending you could forget there
wasn't anything worth living for
she said slowly.
"But I've reformed" Marco main
tanned. II haven't even got a hip
flask any more"
Don't think haven't appreciated
the sacrifices you've made to keep
me from being lonely" BERTHE Lou
said But now that you know it
won't lead to anything more, than
friendship you must forget me,
Marco. 7 shouldn't have let you go
on believing I'd change my mind. 1
knew I never could say yes to you"
mo one knows what he will do
Marco stated firmly. And while
there's life in my body I'll keep on
hoping that you will care enough for
me some day to marry me-"
mo, Marco, we mustn't see each
other any more-we mustn't You
don't know. III may be tempted
as 1 was while ago, to accept the
things you can give--pleasure and
travel and beautiful home, gay
friends and giddy whirl of excite
ment, dancing in smart hotels and
iazzy clubs, something doing every
minute. -. "she was growing ex-
cited, speaking rapidly, every
thing like a dream, lovely Clothes
real pearls, to melt like tears IN our
champagne. .....
wake up" Marco besought her.
"If you ever got dad to give you a
pearl cocktail you'd deserve a medal
for distinguished service. You could
get it out of me all right only you
know I won't have any real jack
for years and years"
BERTHE Lou laughed. "You see
what appeal you have for me" she
warned him. "You won't be safe
with me, Marco.
"Tu take a chance" he answered.
'Youll never want those things
bad enough to marry for them I'M
less YOU care something about the
man. 1 don't expect you to idolize
me. BERTHE Lou, or anything like
that. But I may get to be habit
that YOU can't break if I stick
around, and you don't know how
you'll feel ten years from now"
"Oh, goodness, Marco, you'll be
bored to death trailing along with
me. And it won't do you a bit of
good"
cit might. Only if you ever say
again you'll marry me you've got
to do it."
"Then ask me first if I want you
or your money. I'm perfect idiot
not to grab you. 1t just chances
to be one of my ethical days, but I
have others, when I'm so human
I'm scared stiff at the thought of
taking care of myself. You see I'm
not strictly modern girl, Marco.
I always had someone to look after
me. :" she stopped and shifted.
"I feel so sorry for myself" she
added forIornly.