The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-29

BERTHE Lou wasn't going to be
jealous of Rods past. But his fu-
ture belonged to her, at least insofar
as Lila was concerned.
Lila had had her chance. She'd
turned Rod down because he wasn't
making enough money. And she
couldn't see any chance for a book
keeper in Wayville to leap into a
fortune.
Of course, it was all right for
Lila to send a present. BERTHE Lou
conceded that. But why dagger?
From anyone else it would have
meant nothing. But coming from
Lila it might mean anything.
That was the rub. BERTHE Lou
didn't know. Lila hadn't gone
steadily with any boy since Rod.
But she wasn't lonely by any
means. She was popular. What If
she wanted Rod?
BERTHE Lou had openly subscribed
to that overworked declaration
about keeping no strings on any
one.
eff he wants to go, he may. If
any other girl can take him, she's
welcome"
That was before she fell in love
with Rod. Now she knew that a
possessive, fighting strain ran side
by side with her pride.
She would keep Rod if she could.
And she couldn't see how any girl
could stop loving him. She didn't
believe Lila had.
Lila had instilled the idea by a
pose of sadness and frequent visit
full references to a great mistake
BERTHE Lou slammed the door of
the dining room with a bang. Lila
had spoiled her night.
When she offered the lemonade
to her mother, Mrs. Ward said:
your hand is hot, honey; you don't
feel well?"
"It's awfully close, Nuns; do you
think it will rain tomorrow" Ber-
tie Lou evaded.
Maybe it will rain before morn
ing and cool things off. Can't you
sleep2"
I'm too excited"-that was a
slip-"I mean there are so many
darned things to think about when
you have wedding. I wish Rod
and I had eloped. What a lot of
trouble it will save when people
who want to get married just walk
up to a mountain top and shout
their union to the four winds"
She had raised her voice. Her
father, sleeping beside her mother,
stirred restleSsly. BERTHE Lou be-
came quiet.
want me to come and talk to
your" her mother whispered anx-
iously.
1t had disappointed her vaguely
that BERTHE Lou had not come to
her with condolences and questions.
you need your sleep, Nuns. I'll
read" BERTHE Lou replied, and
slipped out Of the room.
Back in her own f1ower-papered
bower, stripped of rugs and hang
ings for GOODNESS, she threw her pill
lows down by the window and knelt
upon them, arms crossed on the
window sill, curly head upon them.
1t was more restful than her bed.
And the orchestration of myriad
summer insects soothed her. She
didn't believe she would sleep that
night.
At six her mother woke her, Scold-
ing. you'll be stiff as a ramrod.
Go take a hot bath, real hot. Yes,
I know it's a hot day, but you do as
I say. Cool off with shower if
you like, but don't stand there rub
bing your eyes out.
Mother feelings hiding behind
busting authority.
BERTHE Lou had better idea. She
went down and put on a phono-
graph record and limbered up with
the Black Bottom and a stomp.
Then she took the hot bath and
poured the last quarter bottle OF
bath salts into the tub. Her mother
didn't like them. She might as well
luxuriate. Couldn't pack a nearly
empty bottle.
She was we'll seeped in rose per-
fume by the time she was ready for
the cold shower.
Then came breakfast. 1t was
slightly cooler on the shaded porch
and BERTHE LOUIS mother had pro-
vided iced honey-dew with lemon.
No one "jawed" her for being
half dressed this morning. Her ole
organdie. house coat was left un-
fastened over her limited under
things without rebuke.
BERTHE Louis sweet little body was
no mystery to her family. Keeping
her covered had been her mothers
chief concern-and activity for sew
eral years.
Her dad grunted at her, lin.
gered a bit over his second cup OF
coffee, and then took himself of
to his carpenter shop to work unit
! time to come back and dress fol
the wedding.
He wanted to say something tx
BERTHE Lou. He didn't know what
! it was, but a man didn't have {
. young daughter getting married
: every day. He felt he ought to say
something, And he sid nothins