The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-10-14

Mitchell waited, unmoved by her
tears. At last the girl dried her
red-rimmed eyes and controlled hel
voice enough to talk.
'I came home with Tod Jor-
| dan"
who is hep" her father de-
manded.
"He-he was at the party. He's
the one who saved my life at the
boat club"
'Humphl What was he doing al
this party?"
Mrs. Parsons invited him. ]
asked her to-"
L see. And how does it hap
pen that you came home with this
young man and arrived an hour ano
half after I got hereafter leav-
ing Evelyn Parsons at her apart
ment?"
The girl had to wait several Sec
onds. rubbing her eyes and cough
ing to clear her throat before she
could answer.
I'VE went for a little ride-just
through the park. I didn't think il
late, and so many people had left
the party I thought it would be al
right. The others were all dane
ing"
$50 you went for a ride. In the
park! Celia Mitchell, I wouldn't
have believed that a daughter OF
mine could do such a thing.
Here I've tried to introduce you
to young people of the right sort
I've tried to give you everything ir
the world a girl should have ano
you-riding with a young man II
the park"
He turned his back and walked
away as though the thought were
too much. Suddenly he circled
about.
"How much do you know this
young man?" he demanded. "Who
are his people? What does he do?"
Celia admitted between Sobs that
she did not know. Never in her
life had she been so Inundated, SO
stormed at. There was a great
blotchy tear drop soiling the front
of her gown now. No one had ever
talked to her this way before.
There is one thing you are to
understand from now on" John
Mitchell said firmly. "You are not
to see this Jordan againI mean it!
A young man who keeps a girl out
until this time of night is not the
sort for any respectable young
woman to associate with"
There was a quick answer on
Celia's tongue, but she checked it
Didn't her father realize times had
changed since his boybood? She
thought of the guests at Mrs. Par
sons house party going for a swim
at midnight.
Her father was so sure everything
about Evelyn Parsons was perfect
Celia might have said some of these
things, but one glance at John Nit
chell warned her argument was use
less.
do you understand what I'm say
ing to you?" he asked.
"Y-yes, father"
"Then go to your room. It's nearly
morning. If your grandmother
should have any idea of what you've
done tonight I'd hate to picture
the consequences! Be quiet as you
go up the stairs so not to wake
her"
OELIA went. She was a pitiful
~ little figure as she mounted the
stairs.
Softly she turned the knob open
ing the door Of her bedroom. Then
she closed it and switched on the
lights. A sorry replica Of herself
in damaged finery greeted her from
the triple mirrors across the room
The girl went nearer and sur
veyed herself. Swollen eyes red
trimmed. Hair awry. Her cheeks
marked by tear stains, and the front
of her frock Soiled. What sight!
Her beautiful birthday party
even the memory of the drive with
Tod-was ruined now. Celia dropped
her coat on chair.
Her eyes we're smarting and filed
with tears so that it was hard to
undo the fasteners which held her
dress. At last she had it OF.
She dropped to the bed and LET
the sobs come. Her shoulders rose
and fell conyulsively. Finally the
tears stopped and she lay quiet
Celia noticed the ring on her finger
She sat up and took the ring
of. 1t brought her misery back
with a fresh start. Her father had
said that she should never again
see Tod. How could she keep such
a promise?
It did not occur to the girl to
blame Jordan for her unhappiness.
II did not occur to her to suspect
Evelyn Parsons of treachery.
Celia rose and dropped the ring
in box on her dressing table Then
she went to the bathroom and