The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-15
CHAPTER FORTY SIX

CHAPTER FORTY-S SIX
"OH, OH" The girl on the stairs
~ gave a little moan and
turned to flee. The man ran up
three steps and turned her about.
His fingers bit into her soft arms.
Its not true, Lane" he cried.
"Tressa's nothing to me-"
Tressa interposed, eyes flashing
fire. "Of course it is true. What
on earth do you suppose he asked
me out here for? He's been mad
about me for ages.
You're not his sort and never
will be. Why don't you let him go
quietly and decently so that he can
marry some one of his own world?
He's been making opportunities for
me to be with him for weeks now.
IF you weren't stupid and blind,
you'd have seen that he went
through the form of having you
ask me to stay here because he
wanted me to be near him"
Give said steadily: ITS lie"
Tressa screamed, That's good!
He's been taking me to luncheon.
I've been seeing him at his office. ="
II was helping her with some. bad
investments she'd made" Give said
quietly. She was grateful, or
seemed to be-" His look implored
Lame to believe him.
Tressa ran past them. ooh, how
I hate you both, SNUG stnpletons
that you are!" Her voice broke on
note of hysteria as she slammed
and locked her door.
"All that I have told you is true,
LANE" Give went on I've just
discovered she didn't telephone you
tonight as she said she had. Not
THAT it matters, but just want you
10 know"
The load that had lain on Lii
ane's heart lifted inexplicably. She
smiled.
why does it not matter? Why
do you think SOP"
He shrugged. ut can't matter to
you aWfully what I do. You're al
ways thinking of something else
Lame sighed impatiently. She
sat down on the velvet stair, tuck
ing her foot in little gilt mule be-
meath her as child does. Must she
she wondered, tell this man every
thing? Couldn't he see with his own
eyes?
Give came and sat beside her.
Il do care what you do" Lame
Rugged her thin robe with it's cas-
cade Of blond lace around her. She
shivered slightly The spring night
was growing cool
Am I to take that seriously?"
She turned to him, her soft eyes
alight. "Of course I care what you
do. It matters to me most fright
fully"
He stood there, arms folded, still
incredulous. DUTY, perhaps" he
murmured. "But not-affection.
NTOW that the barriers of aloof-
IN ness were down she sighed in
evaporation at his obtusenesS. She
motioned to him to sit down beside
her. do let's talk this out here
and now"
He brought her a thin wool robe
from the oak chest and wrapped it
around her before he would consent
to settle down. Lame pushed the
bright drift of her curling bronze
hair away from her forehead and
looked straight into his eyes.
I'm dreadfully fond of you. You
must know that" she began softly.
He made an impatient movement.
"Ah, fond!"
She sighed family Would nothing
make this mulish young man under
stand? She had an inspiration. She
put her head on her arm with an
abrupt gesture. 1t suggested tears
"Ah, don't do that" Give i'm
plored, distressed.
Pretending not to hear, she said
What, darling?"
He gave an incredulous gasp. He
said, Did my ears deceive me?"
She shook her head. Softly she
said it again, looking deep into
those blue eyes of his. "Darling!'
She was smothered against hi
waistcoat, his arm gripped hel
Silken shoulders.
Say that again" Give com.
manded, but when she complied hi
stopped the words with his lips.
"You honestly do care a little fol
me?" he demanded few moments
later.
She nodded. st have for months
It'll thought you were just being kline