The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-10-04
CHAPTER XXXYI

blouse. 1t pounded so mercilessly
Across the table she leaned toWarC
him. And between them lay tht
poor little ghost of a romance.
A tawdry small ghost, born of pas
sion and consumed in it's flame. Tht
specter of withered love, ugly nov
and sordid.
"You!" she gasped, and the ex'
clamation faded on laugh. A queer
mirthless laugh.
Valerie crumpled a napkin anC
flung it down before her.
We'll" she demanded truculently
and stared at them criously
Whats the matter with you two?'
"Sit down, Val. Push over"
Sybil slipped into the booth be.
side her sister-in-law, Her knees
trembled dangerously.
mo scene, now" she told hersel1
Sternly. "No Mysteries"
When she spoke again her voict
was even.
Don't get excited" she admon.
ished smoothly. "Well have thi:
out right here and now Val, de
you know who this man is?"
He had slunped back into the
booth. Now he passed one hanc
dazedly across his forehead and with
the other fumbled for handker-
chief.
Drops of moisture glistened like
tear drops on his face, and a little
mustache of damp misery sat upor
his trembling upper lip.
"Why, of course, I do"
Valerie bristled def1antly.
ibid you know that he is my
husband?"
"Ty God. :. No! sybil, you're
crazy. Tell her she's crazy, Darl
don't believe it. 1t isn't true It's
a lie! Darl! Darll 4. :"
Frantically she besought him
And then turned on SybiI, crafty
to beat her with small, impotent
fists.
''Now, Val" sybil captured hel
hands. Don't be fool. Keer
quiet. You're attracting attention
Tn going to get at the bottom OF
this thing. And, then, you can dc
as you please-and be damned.
'"This afternoon I learned that you
were planning to elope. I didn't
know the mans name. Only that
you meant to leave Tad for some
one who had promised to get you
into the movies"
SYPHILIS mouth curled scornfully
us this the man, Val? Why, you
poor little fool, jails the only place
he could get you. He's a married
man. He's my husband. He's your
brother-in-law. He's the worst thing
God ever made. He's-he's-Oh
you rat, you! You miserable, rot
ten cad!"
EIERCELY Sybil turned on him
L Quietly then, and thoroughly
she dashed him with her tongue
Castigating him with words thai
cut with exquisite cruelty.
And through it all he sat like {
man stricken with dumbness; who
being condemned, could find nj
voice to answer his accuser.
Oral! Darl!" Frenziedly Valerie
besought him. ooh, Darl, why dom
you say something. Darl, don't lei
her talk like this!"
Helplessly he threw out his hands
e.. Drunk, Valerie, for days anc
nights on end. Idiotically, disgust.
ingly drunk. ..... Worthless. ....
Irresponsible. Without morals
or decency.'
ooh. narl, why don't you say
something's"
Because there's nothing he car
say, Val. And you-you poor little
fool. Oh, God help Tad! Why die
he marry you'll"
Then Valerie was crying, softly
into foolish little handkerchief.
Come on, Valerie, let's get ou
of here. Jack Moore and Mabel are
waiting for u.s.
"Sybil!" Richard Eustis put ou
his hand. Entreating. Agonizing
Furiously she struck it away.
go to hell" she told him hoarse'
ly. And her voice, with hatred
was coarse and rough.
She snatched at Valerie.
"You do what I tell you! ASH
him now to take you away with
him tonight. Or come with me nov
and tell him you will never SET
him again so long as you live"
"Darl! Darl!"
He gazed at her incoherently
Impotent before SYPHILIS rage. And
because her god did not answer
her. Valerie turned from him
Gathered her wrap about her. Anc
walked with Sybil from the dining
room.
He watched them go. And Mabe
and Jack saw him drop his heac
upon his hands, and heard hin
groan aloud.
eSTHEY urove home in silence
L dreadful silence, broken only b.
Valerie's muffled sobs, and the fool
isl1 remarks of polite people seeking
desperately to make conversation
Sybil and Mabel speak of it
sometimes, as the ghastliest ride O
their lives. Jack Moore groans t
/ this day when he thinks of it. Blu
valerie has never mentioned it
/ From that night she has been ;
chastened sort of creature.
whats got into you, Val?" Tax
used to joke. you've guilty con
science or you'd never be SO swee
to me-"
And Valerie, glancing nervousl.
at Sybil, would fash and stammel
But Sybil held her peace.
Sybil was very quiet that winter
and Tad wondered unhappily if sh
was disturbed by Craig's inatten