The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-11-11

tact, and Jupiter was employing SO
little Of it.
But Bruce paid no attention to
his father Tossing the black, wide
brimmed parsons hat" he affected
on table, he sat down on the arm
Of chair and pulled out cigaret
staring rudely at Mary meanwhile
Mary marveled at the change in
him. The dreamy brown eyes that
had rested so warmly upon the
throaty siren last night were black
with anger
The luxuriant dark hair was more
awry than before; it stood up in an
indignant ruff above the high,
bronzed forehead as if five agitated
fingers had been run through it.
The lean, sensitive fingers that
toyed with the cigaret trembled
visibly. But Bruce's voice was re-
markedly controlled-soft, smooth
and poisonously sweet.
ooh, yes, I've come to my senses, 4"
he murmured, his gaze still boring
into the girls. Mary flushed and
retreating involuntarily before his
brazen stare. ut is just as you
said. father. I have stayed away
too long, things have taken a sur
prising turn during my absence.
Such a turn as a sensible man
might have foreseen. But I am not
a sensible man. I am an artist"
He paused and blew a cloud of
smoke almost in the girls face.
II am very naive, am not?" he
asked purringly. ut actually sur
prised me to learn that my place
here had been usurped by greater
artist than myself" He rose and
made Mary deep, sweeping bow.
Utterly mystified, Mary turned to
Mr.. Jupiter, who was looking at his
son as if he were a mailman. The
hopeful, timidly welcoming light
had died out of his eyes. His jaw
suddenly tensed.
"Will you say what you mean?"
he shouted angrily.
II Il
DRUCE did not raise his voice
ID nor remove his eyes from the
girls now terrified ones.
"You don't understand, my dear
father? Of course not. Naturally,
with your honest BRIDESMAIDS soul
you would be the last to recog-
nize the artist in the young lady
who stands beside you. A beauti-
full artist, a charming artist, but
nevertheless an adept in the gentle
are of gold-diggingI"
Old Mr.. Jupiter fell back in his
chair, open-mouthed.
'Well, of all the damn fools,' he
gasped weakly. When Bruce would
have spoken, he shouted, "Shut up!
Get out!"
Nonsense, my dear father" Bruce
returned calmly. 81 have come home
to stay"
Jupiter made threatening move
ment.
Mary found her tongue. "This is
so silly" she protested.
SILLY, is it?" Bruce barked, turn
ing on her. my mothers jewels?
My fathers fortune? I dare say
you're an estimable young woman
in some ways and a faithful en-
ploye to whom some remembrance
was fitting. But aren't you a little
hoggish?
'Share and share alike would
have been sporting, at least! But
I come home and am met with
the boot. Why? Titan curlS about
an angelic face have done the dam
age, I fear. Well, I am not with
out some charm myself, if I wish
to apply it to the sordid task of
opening purse-strings in my favor.
Il have not been a good son, per-
hapS, but at least am a Jupiter.
There's my challenge, Miss Hark-
ness-do you take it up?''
MARY laughed outright. you're
NA quite mad" she said. 1.-THE
Alps must have done 1.-THE alti-
tude. Now I'll make you a chal-
lenge.
Suppose you get a little better
acquainted with both your father
and me before you do anything ri
diculouS."
Bruce had expected anything but
amusement.
us my decision to remain in my
own home ridiculouS?" he de-
manded.
cit can be, if you're going to
stalk about like Edwin Booth" she
chided gently. Then she turned to
the inarticulate old man. why
don't you invite him on the Gypsy?
A little closer view of things might
change his ideas and save any more
of this kind of thing"
To Bruce she added, 'Your IA
theirs had quite enough trouble.
Even you must see that
quite" Bruce returned, "and I
accept. Be sure you will find me
at your elbow wherever you turn,
Miss Hardness.
"You are an object of great in
tereSt to me and l may as well con-
fess that from now on do not in
tend to let you out of my sight"
Mary smiled. 1.-THE Gypsy is
small" she answered, and turned
to leave the room.
Mr.. Jupiter had been simmering;
now he Spluttered into speech.
Mary, come back here!" he shout
ed. Don't you get ahead of your
self, young man! Leave this room
until you're asked into it!
Mary and have some business
to tend to. If you go along on the
Gypsy you'll button up your lip,
or I'll put you ashore, remember
thatl I amt too old to handle you
yet, if I have to, to take the tuck
out of you'll"
=
DRUCE regarded the tip of his
ID cigaret intently. "BusineSS?" he
asked with an insinuating rising
infection.