The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-07-31
CHAPTER xxx

Rods footsteps halted abruptly.
Then, after what seemed to BERTHE
Lou an eternity of waiting, he
turned back and came to the arched
doorway of the living room.
For full moment he looked at
her without speaking. Then: $50
you finally decided to come home, -
he said coldly.
BERTHE LOUIS heart dropped to the
fadir of hope. Until that moment
she had not let herself realize how
much her rome-c coming meant to
her-that on this glorious event she
had built all her expectations of
, finding happiness again with Rod.
Deep in her heart the desire to
become reconciled to- him had per-
sisted despite the mental cold Shout
der she had sought to bring to their
meeting.
But one glance at his cold, i'm
passive features was enough to con-
vince her that her attitude really
1nattered very little. 1t was plain
> that Rod possessed an attitude of
his own.
All of her struggling with her
pride had been in vain. 1t would
make no difference whether or not
she forgave him. Even the need
that she felt for an explanation
from him disappeared in the sure
knowledge that she had lost him.
She might tell him now that she
knew he had lied to her and it
wouldn't disturb him in the lest
BERTHE Lou was aware that her re-
turn had met with no response.
She turned cold all over her body
and an icy slliver trailed along her
spine. 1t left her weak as a baby
with a fiat, horribly surprised feel
ing.
In way it all seemed funny to
her She wanted to laugh. It was
such a joke. A joke she had played
n on herself-hoping against hope that
y Rod wanted her back, that there'd
never been anything wrong with
their happiness.
why didn't you send a wire?'
Rod went on as BERTHE Lou sought
vainly for something to say. 81
might have been able to meet YOU
Il wouldn't have thought of both
ering you," BERTHE Lou returned, with
fine edge of sarcasm on her voice
"You must be up to your neck in
dates"
That's about right" Rod replied
after a Slight pause. 1.-THE world
is sure good to a bachelor husband. y
ooh, if you're so popular I'll be
lucky to have you take me out to
dinner, I suppose" BERTHE Lou
Knocked him.
Rod frowned. I'm dining with
Lila and Cy" he said "Ill tele-
phone them that you're back"
There was trace of uncertainty
in his voice that did not escape Ber-
tie Lou. She noted that he did not
: take welcome for her at the LoreeSi
for granted.
Neither did he suggest giving up
his dinner engagement with them
He had distinctly said he was dining
there.
BERTHE Lou could feel the tide of
, anger rising in her breast. She
managed however, to speak calmly,
even lightly. How perfectly alb
surd," she said. I was so sure you
would have an engagement that
made one for myself"
She smiled pleasantly at him and
Rod stared at her in doubt for a
moment. "You don't mind, hope,
she added sweetly. 1--WE can talk
oh THyoxIyil1o tO111 O1TOTry -
''I'll tell Lila you're coming with
me-" Rod snapped. BERTHE LOUIS
manner annoyed him. And his man
ner annoyed her. "You may if YOU
like" she replied icily; but I shall
not go with you. I'm going out to
dinner with Marco Palmer"
with whom?" Rod asked in
establishment.
with Marco Palmer, of the
Palmers. You've heard of him
surely. Our dinner engagement was
conditional upon your having one
So run along, and get dressed.
LILA won't like you to be late
I'm sure. There's always that chance
for a moment alone before the
other guests arrive, you know
Especially with such an accom-
modating husband as dear Cy; he:
never down in time to interfere"
Rod flushed angrily. BERTHE LOT
was coming too close to the
truth for comfort. Not that he evel
had enjoyed moment alone with
Lila in the way his wife's words
suggested. But any moment with
Lila was precious to him.
He had not told her so never
would while BERTHE Lou and Cyrus
held their respective places in hi
life and Lila's.
But the months that BERTHE Lol
had been away, her GOODNESS. anC
} Lila's sympSthy, had paved thu
way for a return of his old infatu
alton.
He believed now that he hat
stopped loving Lila in the frs
place because she had revealed her
self as heartleSs and shallow.
But every act of hers since he.
marriage to Cyrus Loree had beer
a refutation of that impression.
81 Rod felt that he was in her deb
for many things his first biz
business boost her readiness
to shield him at the cost of losinI
her diamonds and pearls, and he
kindness in BERTHE Louis absence
He came to believe that he hal