The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-11-18
Gems Of Peril 4, y: =: f.

tremendous importance to her
plans.
If the countess guessed, or If
Bruce had broken his promise and
told her the purpose of this trip,
might she not pass the informatio4
on to De Iona, either Intentionally
or otherwise?
If De Iona ever had been of i'm
portarce in the countess life I'M
questionably she would warn him
If she could. The question mark
was Bruce. Distrustful of the whole
affair, he might have violated his
promise.
Mary surmised there was not
much that the crafty Louise could
not worm out Of him if she chose.
Well, it was on the lap of the
gods. Whatever was happening
down there would have to happen.
No one reasonably could have FORE
seen that those two would be in
Inmates. 1t was a bad breaSS, tsss...ts
was all, as George would say.
Mary walked restlessly about the
room. Sleepl 1t was far from her
now. How could she sleep with this
uncertainty hanging over her head?
If she could only ask Bruce, re-
assure herself
But Bruce was incalculable. If
he knew those two were downstairs
now, for instance, he might fly into
a rage. What infinite help Bruce
could have been if only he had
trusted her a little more.
He should have been their great
est help, but he had allied himself
with their enemies. His perfiditv
might even be responsible for the
failure of the whole scheme!
. ESOLUTELY Mary took down
IN the telephone receiver, but only
to call the desk and ask to have a
boy sent for some bromide tablets.
She must go to bed and forget it.
She would need her wits about her
tomorrow
When she awoke next morning,
the hot Florida sun was streaming
In her window and the telephone
at her elbow was ringing madly. A
glance at her wristwatch showed
that it was nearly 10 o'clock.
Aren't you ever coming DOWN."
Louise's half-scolding tones rever-
berated in the telephone. 1--WE 20
to ride along the jungle trail and
up the coast for lunch. Hurry!"
Don't wait for me-" Mary told
her coolly. Il shan't go this time"
"Oh, but" Quite evidently the
other was not prepared for refusal.
She did not know what to say next.
She could not command. Yet she
knew quite well that so far Bruce
had managed to thwart the girls
every effort to be alone.
She must have turned to Bruce.
for Mary heard a low-voiced COL
loquy. Then Bruce spoke, coaxing-
ly: Surely you're not going to
spend this gorgeous day in bed?
Come along! Dads anxious to get
started"
Not ]" Mary rejoined unhus-
tered. "Amuse yourselves as you
please. 1 have an appointment with
the hair-dresser and some books to
read. I'll just stay here and loaf"
"As you please" Bruce replied
coldly and rang off.
Now thought Mary, provoked,
hell be sure to think I'm up to
and follow mel"
TOOL second thought, however
~ taught her it was unlikely
Bruce would forego his days out
ing because of any serious interest
in her activities.
Bruce merely was trying to make
himself obnoxious, so that she would
find life in the Jupiter household
unbearable and leave.
1t was pleasant to go down to
breakfast alone. The dining room
was cool and dark and blessedly
empty. Early bathers had break
tasted and gone. And it was too
early for lunch. Apparently she
was the only lazybones in the hotel
Soothing, just to be alone .
not to be surrounded by people one
loathed, or feared, or despised, just
pitied. Delightful to relax, not to
have to keep up the complex game
Of pretense than she had had to
play, sleeping and waking, for SO
many tense, unhappy days of late
For the time being, she was freed
Of the ache for Dirk even. Peace,
like a narcotic, numbed all her
lenses temporarily.
The low hum of distant electric
fans the soft-footed, low-voiced
walters the hushed room, so ST.
lent that her own thoughts seemed
to echo in her ears . it was like
the LAYING Of cool waters on her
tired spirit.
Suddenly she REALIZED that she was
tired had been tired for weeks
She resolved to get this business
over as soon as possible and go
away where she need not even
think.
Some one stood in the doorway
looking about. She looked up and
saw him wave away the headwaiter
ind come toward her.
Her faint annoyance at the en-
trance of another diner into her en-
Wanted solitude changed to pleased
;urprise when she saw it was George
Bowen.
A RENT you taking a risk in
L N coming here?" she asked. II
would not be we'll if they were seen