The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-06-11
CHAPTER SEVEN


THEN what sort Of a girl did
you think was, that I'd aid
you in such a cruelty?" demanded
Cynthia.
Exactly the same sort of a girl
that am" replied Eleanor. I'D
do it for you" She added the last
sentence as casually, as careleSsly,
as though she were offering to give
the other cigaret. And the easy
way in which she made the state
ment was, strangely enough, the
most convincing proof of her sin
certify.
Before she realized what she was
saying, Cynthia told her, 81 know
you would"
Il wonder why" Eleanor unused
aloud. you're going to do it for
me, you know. Oh, know it. And
the reason that I know it, is because
Of what you just said, that you know
I'd do the same thing for you.
Last night, when I first saw you,
I thought of The Prince and the
Pauper. Now I'm thinking of Jekyll
and Hyde. Only we aren't two ma
lures in the same body; we're one
nature in two bodies"
She rose briskly from the couch.
She walked to Cynthia and began
tugging at the other girls blouse. AS
though pSpnotlSed, Cynthia per-
nlCecu ner dress to be removed.
Then she pushed Eleanor away.
"Anything-anything in the world.
I can't help it. 1 know you're
wrong, wicked. But I'll do anything,
because I think you're right about
it; that We are the same person.
But not this! You know can't. To
go to your husband" She broke
of, her cheeks and throat and
bosom stained.
Eleanor looked at her. st prom
ised Phil I'd come back. I must
do that; but won't stay with him."
But you say he'll kill himself
unless you do" objected Cynthia.
But I'll have time to plead with
him, to persuade him. Remember,
when he did what he did today, he
hadn't seen me for four years.
after I've talked to him, had a
long talk, things will be different.
I'll be able to leave him. It isn't as
thought I were asking you to do
something wicked, really wicked.
I'm only asking you to pretend to
be me for a few hours"
"And suppose that before those
few hours are up, your husband
wants to start on his honeymoon ?"
Once again Cynthia famed with
color.
you can be sick, can't you2" ar
gued Eleanor. I'm supposed to be
lying in my room now. and I guess
Mary, my maid. has made Dean and
my father think I'm half mad with
pain.
Surely you can pretend that
you're not we'll enough to leave the
house. The strain, the excitement
I'm not going to talk another
second. Either you and e-c so
much each other that we must do
what helps the other. or we aren't"
CHE stepped back a pace and
- stared at her double. There was
no trace of appeal in her eyes.
Cynthia, returning her gaze. recog-
nized the futility of argument.
Were their positions reversed, Gym
thia knew that she would have
rested her case exactly as Eleanor
now did. She saw in Eleanor that
same quality which she knew exist
ed in herself.
Eleanor understood without words
Of assent.
Il knew you would" she ex-
6;~irsG. But there was no note of
triumph in her voice, no exultation.
Weekly Cynthia sat down. Her
vssce sounded. when she spoke. ex-
actlv SIS though she had surrendered
her mind and will to the influence
Of a mesmerist, so colorleSs IL be-
came.
There's so much to tell me- she
said.
Eleanor shook her head I colSlo
carry a thing like this through for
an hour or so without reheI sal,
and 50 can you. You've seen T cans
picture2"
Cynthia nodded. The gesture was
automatic. lifeleSs. If one nature
lived In these two bodies, then az