The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-10-07

! too, Mrs. Parsons, I know you would
Hes tall and slim and he has
the most wonderful eyes. They're
gray. Barney's his name"
Barney" Mrs. Parsons repeated.
'Is that alp"
Barney Shields. Don't you think
it's a pretty name? do. And oh,
Barneys always been terribly nice
to me-"
There was far-away look in
Celia MitchelIs eyes. She was
thinking how tender and gentle
Barney Shields voice could be. She
could see his gray eyes looking at
her.
Celia forgot about Mrs. Parsons.
She did not see the hard, tighten
ing line about the older woman's
mouth.
"Did-your mother approve Of this
engagement" Evelyn asked.
But we really aren't engaged!
We couldn't be. You see. Barney
said it wouldn't be right because he
hasn't enough money, and he didn't
want me to give up coming to New
York and everything.
"Of course mother likes him, but
she doesn't know he said anything
to me about getting married. I
thought it would only worry her"
But do you care for him a lot?"
Celia nodded her head Tt was
comforting to have some one to
whom she could talk in this con-
fdent1al way. Mrs. Parsons seemed
so understanding.
81 suppose" Evelyn went on care
fully. you miss your mother a great
deal!'
The girls face sobered.
''Lots," she agreed.
docs she ever come to New
York;"
"Oh, no. She couldn't do that.
You see, mother works. She does
sewing for Marquis shop. It's a
very nice place. She's worked there
for many years"
Mrs. Parsons brows raised ex-
pressively.
Tonight" Celia went on impul-
sively, my father said something
awfully nice. He said reminded
him of mother when she was u
girl. Wasn't that sweet?"
With the light behind Evelyn
Parsons head and her face in
shadows the girl could not see the
angry flare which crossed the wom-
ans face.
Celia would have been amazed if
she could have caught the cruel
CLINT in Evelyn's blue eyes.
A moment passed. Then Mrs.
Parsons said. rising, THAT was
charming. But it is dreadful of
me to keep you awake like this.
Forgive me. I'll slip along, and
in the morning we can talk to our
hearts content. Good night, dear
Celia"
Goodnight"
NERS. PARSONS closed the door
1V1 behind her. Celia extin-
tinguished the bed lamp and in ten
minutes she was asleep again.
In the morning they had break
fast at table set on the shady
end of the porch. It was a glorious
day, cool but bright with sunshine.
There was a bird bath at the left
and throughout the meal chorus
of tiny songsters kept UP cheer
full serenade.
Celia scarcely could finish her
mullins for constantly praising
hardwood. She was looking cool
and dainty herself in her sleeve
less white frock.
Mrs. Parsons, pouring the coffee,
seemed pleased at Celia's enthu-
siasIn. There was no sign this
morning of the angry hours the
widow had spent the night before.
And what would you like to do
this morning?" she asked Celia.
The girl said she would like very
much just to follow the gardener
around and ask questions and, If
it would be all right, to dig in the
ground here and there and pretend
she was really helping the flowers
to grow.
Mrs. Parsons laughed. eff Ben
is willing and viii tell you where
you can dig and where not to.
guess you can garden to your hearts
content" she said.
Ben was the gray-haired gardener
who had taken care of the grounds
around hardwood for twenty years
He was taciturn when Celia found
him clipping a hedge Of spirea
bushes. When Ben found she was
willing listener to his tales of
prize roses and chrysanthemums
which he had raised, the morning
sped along and they became close
friends. The gardener sent her
back to the house bearing one of
his choice black roses.
In the afternoon Celia wrote &
letter to Barney Shields and an
other to her mothee, She told both
IL = - 2 - IL