The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-11-01
CHAPTER FoRTY-FOUR

A FTERWARD Celia knew that
"A she herself was to blame for
what happened. Mrs. Parsons had
an engagement for dinner and
bridge and the girl dined alone.
She could have telephoned some
one and had company, but she pre-
ferred solitude. 1t gave her oppor-
tunity to think of Barney and plan
the future.
Even though it had been annoy
ing not to have the opportunity to
talk to him alone, she was proud
Of the impression Barney had made
on Mrs. Parsons. Celia told her
self that what she had to say to
the young man would keep-but not
for very long.
She decided to telephone him in
the morning. Barney lived at a
young mems club, an institution
which was not social, but provided
a surprising degree of comfort at
low cost.
For one impetuous moment after
she had left the dining room and
lay back against the blue and sill
yer divan Celia thought of calling
him at once. She hesitated. No,
it would be better to wait.
She made up her mind that she
would ask Barney to meet her some
where. The Park Plaza would do.
They could walk in the park, and
by the very publicness of the place
be shielded from notice.
This time there must be no third
person present.
Her dreaming was interrupted by
the ringing of a bell. The maid
had been dismissed for the evening
Celia went to the door.
''Fatherl" she cried. Come in
I'm so glad to see you'll"
John Mitchell entered, kissed his
daughter dutifully, and put aside hat
and gloves.
Are you alone?" he asked.
YES. Mrs. Parsons had an en-
gagement and I've been sitting here
wishing for some one to talk to
You couldn't have timed your ar
rival more perfectly"
That's good Just happened tC
be in the neighborhood and thought
I'd drop in Why didn't you let me
know you wanted company? We
could have had dinner together anC
seen a play"
I wish I had. I really didn't
know Evelyn was going out until
just before she was leaving"
They talked of trivialities for sew
eral minutes. Celia asked about hel
grandmother and learned that she
would be back in the city next
month. Mrs. Mitchells health had
entirely recovered.
That reminds me, Mitchell said
Mother thinks Oct. Is will be the
date for you to sail. She asked me
to book passage. That's-let's see
not quite three weeks from today
HELIA sat up wide-eyed. Sail
~ you mean me?" she asked.
Yes. Surely you haven't forgot
ten you're to spend the winter in
France? I distinctly remember
mother said she talked to you
about it"
oh. yes. OF course"
Don't you want to go?" Mitchell
asked. The girls attitude was puz-
zling.
Celia nodded. Yes she said,
only 1 didn't know-well, I really
haven't been thinking about it.
After grandmother became i'll, 1
thought perhaps she wouldn't care
TO 60"
What Celia meant. but did not
wish to say, was that she had Sc
rious doubts about her grandmoth-
er's feelings toward her. The girl
did not want to appear ungrateful,
but prospects of a winter anywhere
with Mrs Mitchell were terrify-
ing
Well. I'm glad I mentioned it,
Mitchell said complacently. Get
Evelyn to help you get your clothes
ready. Guess you'll be sorry to
leave Evelyn. won't you?"
Z Will" Celia assured him. I'll
miss her a lot"