The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-02-04

went through Jne contents OF The
folder twice, then darted to her
desk and searched through the two
top drawers unsuccessfully.
From Bordens office came the
rumble of his voice. Probably he
was talking over the phone. Whirl-
ing back to the filing cabinet. she
dug into half a dozen folders with
panicky aimlessness.
At last. after at least five or six
precious minutes had been wasted,
she found the thin brown booklet in
the folder devoted to her employers
returned checks and bank state
ments.
AS she thrust the passbook into
her handbag she heard the sound
of receiver being slammed upon
its hook. In her haste TO be gone
before Harry Borden could come out
to investigate, she jerked open the
outer door SO violently that it struck
her across the mouth.
CHE was painting a little, her
- handkerchief pressed to her
bruised lip, when the elevator,
which she had just signaled, stopped
at her floor and Jack Hayward
emerged, his face very white, his
eyes stormy with anger and fear.
What kept you so long? Why.
Ruth! What's wrong? You're cry
ing!" And almost roughly. as Micky
Moran looked on, Jack pulled
Ruth's hand from her mouth and
saw the swelling lip. God! That
beast! I'll kill him for this! was
afraid-let me go, Ruth"
Jack, please, darling, please"
Ruth begged. pulling at his arms
frantically Come on into the ele-
vator. 1t wasn't Mr.. Borden!
swear it wasn't! I struck my face
against the doorl You've got to be-
lieve mel Jack!"
Her voice changed suddenly, be-
came ominously quiet and steady,
as the young man f1ug off her
clinging hands. IF you don't come
with me now, if you won't believe
me when I say it wasn't MIR. Borden
who hurt me, in spite of-What you
saw this morning, I'll take back the
promise L gave you last night.
mean It'll"
Jack Hayward came to his senses.
He shook his head, as if to clear
from his eyes the red mists of
anger. "You-mean that, Ruth?'
She nodded, her blue eyes implor-
ing him through tears.
"All right! But on one condition
that you give Borden notice on
Monday morning. I'm not going to
have you in that devils office an
other day!"
Ruth would have promised any
thing to get him to go quietly with
her. The elevator boy regarded the
silent, flushed pair with humor-
ously appraised browS as he shot the
car down to the main floor.
where shall we eat?" Jack asked
in a strained, unnatural voice when
they had reached the sidewalk.
Ruth swallowed hard at the lump
in her throat. Anywhere, dear.
The-the Chester hotel? It's
closest?'' What did it matter now?
Jack thought she had lied to him,
believed Borden had kissed her so
violently that her lip had been
bruised. Her perfect day" was
spoiled. She shivered, could not
stop shivering, even as she followed
her fiance into the big, warm din
ing room of the Chester hotel.
mo, thanks" she quavered, as he
reached for her coat. III keep 1t
on. I'm-cold. ohm SO Sorry!'
She stood miserably beside the
table while Jack and the waiter
stopped to pick up the widely scat
tered contents of her handbag.
Suddenly she knew she could not
get through the meal which was to
have been so gay without the relief
of tears. Twill you excuse me a
minute dear?. want to telephone,
she choked, and fed.
4 y q
CHE found the ladies' rest room
- deserted. Flinging herself upon
an upholstered settee, Ruth Lester
shed hot tears for lost ecstasy.
Joy would come again, she knew,
but today, which was to have been
so perfect, was hopelessly blighted.
Maybe Jack was feeling as
cheated and unhappy as she was
The thought pulled her out OF
despair.
She bathed her eyes, powdered