The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-08-28
B ELEANOR EARLY

conversation vaxed and waned.
The men smoked innumerable
cigarets, and Molly poured coffee.
Finally Red rose, sitting q, yawn.
"Awfully sorry" he apologized,
but I have to get down to the
Office"
Molly looked at him agonizingly.
And when he left, she went with
him to the door.
"Villain!" she Kissed.
81 can't help it," he whispered.
Honestly, I've stayed too long now.
Tell him where he gets off, old
thing"
"I don't dare" she moaned.
What if he should take Rita?"
Not a chance" Red patted her
! shoulder consolingly. "Rita's being
brought up like a blooming heiress.
You don't think Papa'd pauperize
his che-ild, do your"
You don't know Bob" she told
him. He's horribly selfish"
run along, Sweetness. He'll
know you're talking about him, if
you keep him waiting any longer.
Red stopped, and kissed her
lightly. He's no Bluebeard, honey
I don't know why you're afraid OF
a sap like him.
I'm not!" she declared And,
holding her head high, marched
back to Bob.
well, Bob" Her heart was beat
ing with frightened speed. She
would tell him. and have it over
with! No need of acting like a big
baby. Anybody'd think she was
afraid! She stood there. twisting
her hands, like a little girl about
to make a confession. I've been
thinking things over, like you
asked me to. and I. I
Bobs mouth twisted in crooked
smile.
You're turning me down, is that
it, Molly?"
Il can't get married" she said.
And then. feebly, she began to
make excuses.
Il can't endure the thought of
giving myself up permanently" she
told him, and becoming part OF
somebody else's life. I want to
study. and travel, and know
things"
LIE seemed to understand.
IL $50 that's it? Well, 1 suppose
alliances are lettering. A girl with
a child, for instance, is everlaStingly
tied down. A child is a bigger nui-
Sance than a husband, don't you
think SOP"
ooh, mol" she cried. "You don't
understand, Bob. I didn't mean
You said" he interrupted, that
you couldn't endure the thought of
becoming part of somebody else's
life. I'm afraid, Molly, that i'm
posed on your generosity when ]
sent Rita to you. I've made you SC
much part of her life, that you
must feel, sometimes, as if respon-
sitilities not of your own choosing
had been thrust upon you"
Molly turned toward him furi-
ously.
you know better than that!" she
cried. "You know that I love Rita
as if she we're my own child. You're
only saying that too hurt me, BOZ
Newton!"
But if you want to study, and
travel, and know things" he taunt-
ed, "a child must surely cramp your
freedom"
"All right" she said, and faced
him coolly. 81 was trying to save
your feelings. 1t isn't true that
can't endure the thought of becom-
ing part of somebody else's life. A;
a matter of fact, I can not imagine
relation more sweet and satisfy
ing.
Its simply that I couldn't en-
dure the thought of becoming par
of your life. 1 know you too well
I've seen your abominable selfish,
ness. The way you wore Ritz
down."
Molly"
It don't care! You did. I'll SAY
what I choose. The truth will bt
good for you. I wouldn't marry
you. Bob, if you were the last mar
on earth, and I happened to be ont
of those women who'd take mos
anybody! 1 haven't any illusions
about marriage. But. If ever gel
married, I'll try hard to make q
success of it. Nobody could make
\ it go with a man like you. Rita
died. trying to. Do you think
want to begin where she left off,
Do you think want your reforna-
ton on my shoulders? I've enough
to do"
n Bob filed his pipe. and tried to
speak careleSsly. You don't think
much of me. do your"
NO" she said duly. Il don't
I'm sick of telling lies, and pre-
tending"