The Indianapolis times., 1930-07-01

the armed neutrality which had
preceded it.
She loved cat maps in the after
noon. Even the strain of the last
few weeks had not been too great
to enable her to snatch an occa-
sional half hour of sleep.
But the encounter with Bennie
Thompson had set her mind in such
a turmoil that Slumber had been
impossible. And Deans acceptance
of Tom Sanver's invitation was not
too soothing in its possibilities.
There would be other people
there, and with every additional
person that she met the danger of
discovery grew greater. However,
Eleanor's father when he told her
last night that she could come home
with him, had not said this because
of what hc had cleaned from dining
at her house.
Gossip. spread by servants, was
already in the air. In justice to
Dean the least she could do was to
appear in public or semi-public
with the man whom the world sup
posed to be her husband. She had
lunched with TeSsie Curwood to-
day because of this wish to be Just
to Dean.
True, a dreadful complication had
ensued, but she had extracted her
self from it, and her success had
renewed her confidence in her abil-
ity. But, an inner voice warned her
it was bit early for boastings.
She had got rid of Bennie Thomp-
son, but his intrusion served as a
reminder that there were scores of
other persons who had known her
when she was Cynthia Brown.
y T.
CHE must be eternally on her
- guard lest some old acquaintance
claim to know her. But in the same
moment that she told herself this
she also told herself that every time
a person like Bennie Thompson was
deceived her imposture was
strengthened.
Dean offered her his hand, some
hours later, as she stepped into the
automobile. She cried out as
though in pain. He was instantly
solicitious.
MY hand!" she exclaimed. "It
hurts terribly"
Dean refused 10 let the dome light
be turned off until he had examined
the injured member.
There is no bruiSe," he declared.
81 don't remember hurting it" she
said. 1T feels like rheumatism"
He laughed scornfully. How
could you possibly have rheuma-
tism? Rheumatism is only for old
people. Young, beautiful girls like
you never have it."
Nevertheless, 1 can't even write
my name. I must go down to the
bank and register a new signature"
He was examining her hand now,
pressing gently upon the joints.
Does it hurt here? Does this
pressure bother you?"
Are you an amateur physician?"
He glanced shyly up at her. AN
amateur in everything-even in
love- His voice was suddenly Bit
ter. The amateur husband. 1t
would make a good title for farce,
wouldn't it?"
She drew her hand away from
him.
THE three months have just be-
gum she reminded him.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to
break the treaty"
For the life of her she could not
refrain from encouraging him.
overt acts are always forbidden
in treaties, aren't they? But propa-
ganda is different, I suppose"
You'd permit propaganda" he
asked.
Successful propaganda hides it
self. Perhaps 1 wouldn't know
Il hate cheats" he announced.
"Cheats?" she stared at him.
Those who eat their cake and
want to have it, too"
Are you being rude to r1e?" she
demanded.
Would it make any difference?"
ne counJereo.
She shrugged her lovely shoulders.
Perhaps not to me, but you-you
might be sorry"
CHE felt the inadequacy of her
~ words, blushed for them. and
was glad that the chauffeur had
switched of the overhead light so
Dean could not see her color.
Advance and retreat. never
thought that I could feel contempt
for you," he said.
For the fraction of a second his
tone deceived her. Then she ua-
derstood he was trying 70 make the
situation easier for himself by fore
ing quarrel upon her.
Or perhaps-and this seemed
more pypbable in view Of what she