The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-10-17

/ Ign, you're wonderful! You're the
one woman"
The sentence never was finished.
Some one was coming through the
living room and at the sound OF
footsteps both Mitchell and Mrs.
Parsons turned.
"Oh. here you arel" Celia Mitch
ell stood in the open French window,
the light from the room beyond
throwing her slim figure into sil-
houette Its too perfect to be in
doors, isn't it?"
She stepped out on the porch and
came to Join them. Celia apologized
to her father for being absent when
/ he arrived. She chartered about
the picnic, hoping to forestall ques-
tioning. No one appeared inter-
ested.
Mrs. Parsons, after the first star
tied glance at the girl, was I'M
usually silent. Mitchell, looking
embarrassed, listened to Celia and
now and then made obvious at
tempts at conversation.
Presently Evelyn Parsons. ex-
cused herself and went into the
house. Not for another moment
could she contain her anger.
Evelyn mounted the stairs, hur-
RED to her room and closed the
door behind her.
She stood leaning against 1t,
hands clenched and her body quiz
ering. Evelyn's eyes were closed,
her mouth a cruel, silver of Grim
son.
"Ohl she gasped. oh
Suddenly the woman was tor
nado Of energy. She picked UP a
book, the first object to touch her
hand, and hurled it across the
room. Papers, magazines, a cigaret
case were next.
When the room looked as though
a windstorn had struck ii, Evelyn
flung herself in a chair. Her face
was white and distorted. One white
satin toe tapped the floor turiously.
RADUALLY she became quiet
" er Blind anger gave way to
an expression of grim elaboration.
Evelyn's eyes narrowed.
Nothing had been lost and on the
whole she might gain from the
situation. Temporary obstacles often
increased mans ardor Hadn't
she played that game frequently?
She moved to her dressing table
and began working with cosmetics
as she framed a course of action.
In a few moments traces of the
tempestuous outburst had been re-
moved.
A subtle touch of eye-shadow
made her eyes more brilliant and
gave them a hint of wistfulness.
She drew fresh lips with stick of
carmine, busted her face and Shout
ders with fragrant powder. Under
lamplight, these restoratives would
pass unnoticed.
The action soothed Evelyn as
nothing else could have done. When
she had finished she surveyed her
self with satisfaction. Like other
vain women. Evelyn Parsons felt
fortified by her beauty and thought
no man could resist it.
She would make Mitchell ask
her to marry him tomorrow. Oh,
yes, she could do thatl It had
been exasperating to have the goal
within reach and then rudely
snatched aways but there would be
no such slip tomorrow.
Back in Evelyn Parsons mind
was the thought that Celia would
pay for this interference. Anyone
who interfered with the widows
plans was quite likely to pay.
She was singing softly the re-
frain of an English ballad as she
returned to the porch. It was a
song Evelyn had heard Mitchell
say he was fond of.
"FIilda's bringing something cool
to drink" she said 81 thought it
would be refreshing"
isn't Evelyn the perfect host
ess, father?" Celia said. She never
forgets anything"
You're quite right, Mitchell
agreed His eyes swept Mrs. Par
sons as she sank gracefully into a
wicker chair. She had chosen q
seat where the path of light from
the living room touched her hair
and made it a golden halo
The maid appeared bringing a
tray of tall glasses and pitcher in
which ice clinked invitingly. She
served the beverage. then with
drew.
You don't know how often I
think of this porch afternoons and
evenings when I'm in town. Mitch
ell spoke up. "It's a great place
you've got here, Evelyn"
Celia and I live out here. Don't
We, dear?"
Almost. Here and in the gar
den"
"A mans a fool to tie himself
down in city all his hfe!" John
Mitchell said this as though he
we're arguing with himself He
balanced his glass absent mindedly
and the fragile crystal was in i'm
minent peril. He remembered just
in time.
Il don't think you ought to stay
in town during this hot weather, "
Celia said firmly.
"Oh-Utterly impossible to get
away-now. Besides see how /
impose on Ms. Parsons hospi-
talityl"
"You know you could never do
that, John" Evelyn spoke in a
low tone, She gave Mitchell a
quick glance, then her eyes turned