The Indianapolis times., 1930-07-04

I welcome Eleanor's return this very
minute.
That strange bond that had
sprung into existence between
Eleanor and herself would always,
no matter what Eleanor did, make
Cynthia willing to sacrifice herself
on behalf of the other girl.
As she sat down, her eyes. which
she had kept averted from the face
of Dean, met his at last. He leaned
across the table and whispered to
her:
Il know why you wouldn't quar-
rel with me. And I'll wait for three
months"
Had NE selected words of one
syllable he could not have more
plainly said to her that he knew
she loved him. She felt the color
heating her cheeks.
And then she felt it ebb. For,
caught completely off her guard,
she automatically responded to
greeting:
Hello, Brown!"
She looked up into the grinning
face of Bennie Thompson. Al
though instantly on guard again. al
though no one else noticed her ac-
ton, thinking that the sleek-haired
man addressed some one else, she
knew that Bennie was certain at
last.
VEN the people-two girls and
H a man-who accompanied the
Zogbaum chorus man had not
noticed that he had paused mo-
ment. did not realize that his greet
ing was addressed to the girl at the
table.
The very fact that he passed on
without further word was in itself
more menacing than if he had
stood and leered at her. She had
fooled him twice today, but on the
third occasion the victory had gone
to Bennie.
How he would make profit for
him-elf out of his victory she could
not foreSee. But Bennie had spoken
in terms of a million dollars this
afternoon.
OF course he exaggerated, but
nevertheless his demands would be
tremendous. Perhaps they could
not be satisfied even if she paid over
to hn-l all of Eleanor's fortune.
Then anger came to her. After all,
what could Bennie Thompson say
to which she could not make con-
vincing reply?
The color came back to her face,
then ebbed again. Bennie Thomp-
sons charges would seem insane
we're it not that Cynthia's own con-
duct had been strange. She made
sudden resolve; tomorrow she must
cease waiting for Eleanor. She must
make definite search for her.
She looked across the room. She
met the eyes of Bennie Thompson.
She knew that she could no longer
deceive him.
Somehow or other she had failed
to convince him this afternoon. But
if she could not trick him, she could
defy him. Her eyes were a definite
challenge to the chorus man.
But the actions of a person like
Bennie Thompson could not be fore
seen. 1t MIGHT be that he would
content himself. for tonight, with
his presen measure of triumph. On
the other hand, there was always
the danger that a person like Ben
ME would be unable to be calm in
victory.
Cynthia was no psychologist,
verSed in the emotions of those peo-
pie who dwelt in that shadowy ter
ritory. neither black nor white. but
muddy gray. between honesty and
dishonesty.
Bennie Thompson was no profess
Sional criminal. Amateur at such
matters though she was, she guessed
that a professional criminal would
be a less difficult opponent than one
who veered toward legality one mo-
ment and wrong-doing the next.
A practicer of criminality would
N bide his time until his plans
we're thoroughly mapped out. but
one like Bennie might be suddenly
impetuous. Suppose that Bennie
should come over to the table now
and denounce her? Her face was
ghastly at the thought. Dean leaned
across and touched her wrist.
Feel badly? Too stuffy here?"
She seized upon the offered ex-
cuse. and looked appealingly at Tom
Sanver. From half a dozen tables
invitations we're being extended to
Sanver.
FlaSks were being raised ano the
tops of champagne bottles we're in
vitiugly displayed. For all his years
and gray hairs, Cynthia guessed
Tom Sanver was by way of being
rather a beau. There was coquetry
J in the feminine glances directed to-
ward him.
Mind If We leave now2" she
aSked hfaa