The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-10-26
CHAPTER TX.
The Compartment That Wasn't
Secret.

A T the sight of Herbert in the
4 A motor at the curb, Lila stopped
dead. Her heart began to pound
and the blood rushed into her
cheeks. She was a lovely and
radiant picture of guilt. At least
that was the way she felt, and that
was the way she looked to Herbert
Feeling that some explanation
was necessary, yet not knowing what
to say, she trotted up to him, mask
inc her discomfort with brilliant
smile.
"I passed your father in his car,
after left you," said Herbert. He
was on his way downtown"
Inwardly Lila thanked him for
the tip.
1T know" she nodded brightly.
Wasn't it stupid of me to be so late
that I missed him?"
"Its been three-quarterS OF an
hour since you entered the house
and found him gone" Herbert
looked at her with a serious ques-
ton in his eyes.
st do believe he thinks I went to
Dads to meet a man." thought Lila.
She rather thrilled at Herbert's
jealousy, for she was still too much
in love to find it tiresome.
ST know, daring" She looked
adorably penitent. But couldn't
resist going over the house a bit,
just-well, just to see that the serv-
ants we're looking after Dad prop
erly."
Herbert's brows lifted significantly.
It never knew that you concerned
yourself very much with your faith
er'S comfort, Lila" he said, adding
more gently: ut was the only fault
ever had to find with you, sweet
heart"
ct know, darling. I've never been
fialf nice enough to Dad. I've al
ways Just taken him for granted
and he didn't seem to mind-much
But loving you has taught me much
I'm sorry that I was such an indif-
ferent daughter"
Herbert melted at once. He could
never resist Lila when she talked
about her love for him.
Lets go for drive and have an
early lunch somewhere" he sug-
gested. Its too late to go down to
the Office this morning"
Lila's heart sank. 1t was already
II o'clock. The horrible Mr.. Jack
son would be even now awaiting her
at Dorothy's studio and getting
more suspicious every moment. If
she didn't show up at all
CHE shuddered. She had visions
~ of Mr.. jackson tracking her
down and discovering that Miss
q ,atham, the f1ancee of the late
aptain Jack Farquahar, buried in
rance, was Mrs. Herbert Ware.
IN that event, of course, there'd
- no keeping the truth from Her
bert, with everything happening
right under his nose.
Again she heard herself saying to
Herbert: Darling, there was never
any one but you'll"
So she had to agree to Herbert
suggestion that they lunch together
At any other time she would have
adored it. She loved him so much
that there was a delicious thrill in
going out to lunch with him.
She said, over the table,
not meaning to be f1ippant:
do you know, darling, this isn't a
bit like being married. I think mar
riages would be much happier, if
people pretended to be lovers, some
times, instead of husband and wife u
Herbert looked so shocked that
she was actually frightened.
mo doubt this idea comes from
association with your artist friend,
he said, stif1y. eff she has told you
such things, please don't lower your
self in my regard by repeating
them"
Quick tears sprang to Lila's eyes
The rest of the luncheon choked
her. She left Herbert directly after
ward, with only a murmured word
of farewell.
1t was their first quarrel.
Herbert, motoring downtown, felt
1t keenly. He was half inclined to
go back uptown and make it ur
with Lila. 1t was only because he
was both stubborn and jealous that
he held to his resolution to pun
ish her a trifle; he hoped it would
make her seriously consider lessen
ing her friendship with Dorothy.
Herbert wouldn't admit, even tC
himself, how jealous he was of that
friendship. He wanted Lila to have
no room in her heart, or thoughts
for any one but himself.
DY four o'clock he had fallen intC
a mood that was mixture o.
hurt feelings and humility. He de-
cided that he'd been rather bruta
to Lila.
It occurred to him that both laSt
night and today he had been very
near quarreling with her and he hac
said, or insinuated, some harsh
things. Instead of apologizing witt
words, which was really asking toe
much of him for such trif1e, he
would make subtle bid for forgive
ness by buying her a gift
after ali hour at Tiffany's, hi
emerged with typically conven-
5ional gift; a diamond and sapphire
bracelet. Of course, Lila had severa
diamond bracelets, but they were
the fashion, so a smart woman coulc
scarcely have too many of them, pro.
vided she didn't wear them all al
a Is...A LL....I.....A,.. -. 81.