The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-08-01

: and kerchief. she had danced it
superbly. Even to Patricia she had
seemed to be newly charming,
simple, unspoiled and amusing. Hap
piness had worked its old miracle in
the girl
On the opening night Of the kerr
mess. there had been dinner party
for twenty persons at The Castle,
and it had been an amazing and
successful dinner. And after it they
had bundled into cars, and rushed
to the theater, where Beatrice led
the march with Harry Page.
For four consecutive wonderful
nights the program had been re-
peated, the laughter, the footlights,
the music and costumes, the make
I'D men with their black cases. the
compliments and applause and flow
ers.
DUT more than all these, as
d Beatrice knew, and as Patricia
knew better than Beatrice, was
Sidney. Even the younger girl was
not more conscious of the words, the
looks, little acts that were ex-
changed between them, than was
Patricia.
To Patricia he was changed. Not
colder; on the contrary, there was a
new tenderness and gentleneSs in
his manner. Not less interested,
for she had only to make the. slight
est claim and his attention was all
hers.
But there was a strange moodi-
mess, a certain reckless gayety fol-
lowed by a bitterness that was all
unlike the old Sidney. She knew
him so we'll that she knew he hated
himself for the charm he found in
Beatrice, and for the curious power
the girl seemed to hold over him.
Her very crudities seemed to have
gauche appeal. He never spoke
Of her to Patricia, yet when Beatrice
was in the company he seemed un-
able to see any one else.
Only once, after one of the early
sittings, they had spoken of her.
"Undeveloped little plebeian hand, :"
Patricia had commented on the por-
trait.
"Plebeian but not undeveloped,"
he had answered quickly. There is
astonishing character there, Pat
don't fool yourself"
And, of course, that undeveloped
hand could write check that would
make both of us lose consciousness y
Patricia had remarked. She had
been surprised to see his lean face
color and to have him answer with
a certain annoyed brevity:
Exactly"
He was not often in actual con-
verSation with the girl today, but he
was never for one instant unaware
Of her. Beatrice was with younger
group. Usually her pale cheeks
we're blazing and mere youth had
lent her beauty she did not really
possess.
She looked her best in a dsr-
ing tan habit, with tailored breeches
buttoned Into soft military puttees.
Her soft hair was brushed I'D un-
der the curled brim of an English
riding hat; her girlish throat rose
from the loose folds of an immac-
ulate white silk shirt.
DATRICIA'S own group was about
i her, but they found her curious
" silent and abSent-minded. She
was beautiful as always, gracious as
always, but in manner not herself.
Her chair was placed inconspicuous-
ly in the curve of a great window,
and she studied the gathering with
a shadow in her lovely eyes.
She had accomplished her end
swiftly and completely. Beatrice
Palmer was in the heart of the good
times now accepted, admired, even
followed-So tickle is fashion.
In eight weeks Patricia had done
for her what she herself might not
have accomplished in eight years
Roger Chambers. Art Bruce and
young Fred Bishop we're all cluster
ing about her: this scarlet-cheeked
young rider with the millions might
have any one of them in another
eight weeks.
Never before had Patricia CHEESE
brough experienced jealousy. But
she felt it now; now when she saw
Annie Throckmorton stop for an in
dulgent word with Beatrice. when
she heard Hattie Page praising her
to consenting group.
For the first time she balanced
her own blood and position against
this other woman's mere money,
and found her own claim wantingl
When Beatrice's pale blue eyes
found favor with Roger or Art or
Fred. then Patricia would be finan-
cially established for life; after how
short and SIM e laborl
But sitting ! re this morning. IN