The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-08-01
CHAPTER Xxx

CHAPTER xxx
DERTIE LOU experienced a graft
Id flying sense of action in speed
ing along the parkway with Marco
in his open roadster. The rush of
a cool wind in her face, the soft
whir of the motor-these were in
perfect tune with her mood. She
wanted movement, activity-even
danger she courted.
Marco took a curve on two wheels
and BERTHE Lou was thrown over
against him before he got the car
on all four wheels again.
But she did not protest. Rather
liked it. He stole a glance at her,
thinking she might be too fright
ened to speak. There was no hint
of fear on her countenance.
You're a nervy girl" he compli-
mented her. 81 hate squealers."
go as fast as you like" BERTHE
Lou told him.
But Marco was through. He
didn't dare get another ticket.
Neither did he want an accident.
His fathers ultimatum, delivered
in dead earnest just before he sailed
for Europe a few weeks since had
left Marco duly impressed.
They arrived safely at Sherrard's.
And Marco was hungry, so they took
a secluded table and dined without
dancing. While they awaited the
hors d'oeuvre he offered BERTHE Lou
another cocktail.
She did not refuse, so Marco
poured the drinking water back into
the Jar and added the cocktails to
the ice that was left in the glasses.
BERTHE Lou was not accustomed to
drinking. The gin she had taken at
the apartment was the first she had
tasted since her sudden departure
for Wayville.
And it was after 9 o'clock now
nothing to eat since a bit of salad
at lunch. Still, she did not feel that
drink-the fresh air had overcome
its effect.
The orchestra was playing senti-
mental waltz. 1t was too sad to be
endured. BERTHE Lou wanted to be
gay. She drank the second cocktail
in Marcos manner-all at once.
Lets dance" she pleaded, but
Marco said no. Said he wouldn't
until he'd had something to eat. The
food was served but BERTHE lou was
now no longer in the mood fo.- leaV-
ing the table.
There was a. curious nu1nbresS in
her finger tips and she felt as ii her
clothing was all that held her up.
YOU'D better eat something"
Marco advised, watching her as she
pushed the third plate away.
He didn't want her to feel her
drinks too much. A girl who had
to be dragged around the dance
floor was fiat tire as far as he was
concerned. He liked 'em poppy.
They could get "half-lit" if they
wanted to, but he objected to hav-
ing them pass out entirely.
BERTHE Lou wouldn't eat, so he
didn't order anything to drink.
After dinner they drove again fer
an hour and then returned to the
dance. When Marco wanted g. drink
he went out to the bar and got it.
Until BERTHE reprimanded him.
1t was l o'clock. The place would
close at 2. Marco ordered high
balls, but BERTHE Lou surprised him.
She drank only half of hers.
Nothing could make her gay. She
knew that. No use making herself
sick with stuff she didn't want.
Shed broken that silly promise to
Rod. That was all she wanted to
do. Now she would see if ne cared
should he find it out.
Marco came upstairs with her
and unlocked her door. She let him
come in to say good night to her.
BERTHE Lou snapped on a switch
and the hall was filled with faint
light from a golden Chinese lamp.
She put out her hand to Marco. He
ignored it and kissed her on the
mouth.
BERTHE Lou was too surprised to
speak, Earlier in the evening he
lad tried to kiss her and she'd told
him not to make a mistake about
that ...... if he wanted kisses he
could take somebody else out.
He had been so ready to take her
at her word that she hadn't ex-
pected him to try again.
Good night, Mrs. Bryer," he said
cody, and BERTHE Lou was rather
startled by the swiftness of his de-
parture.
She tried the door behind him lust
to see that the lock had caught
then turned toward her bedroom
just as a light was snapped on in
the living room.
Rod was standing beside the
davenport, tying the sash of his
dressing gown.
BERTHE Lou saw that he had made
a bed for himself there--a bed that
was in full view of the front door.
He must have seen Marco kiss her!
Eyes, saw it," he said; IF you're
wondering about that
BERTHE Lou smiled mo attempt
to hide it, she replied serenely.
''What's the sentence going to be?"
do you want a divorce?" Rod
asked bluntly.
BERTHE Lou took it we'll. Inwardly
she quivered from the blow, but
Rod saw only a nonchalant ex-
terror.
"aow about your" she countered.
For a moment they faced each
Apther quietly and steadily. 1t was
Qgony for BERTHE Lou, ard Rod was
ot happy, either.
He was doomed, he felt, to misery,
yen as BERTHE Lou herself felt that
isery would be her fate