The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-03-05
MAD MARRIAGE 9.
bY LAURA LOU BRooKNAN Author 0ff1fART 7tlN6PYgetc

IN ~ ~ III EN0aftCs III r
Z clear cut, pleasing, and there was an
air Of distinction about the young
man.
He had dark eyes and fair skin.
His eyes roved the crowd at the
foot Of the gangplank.
"Alan!" Gypsy cried again.
He heard her. A smile lighted his
face and he hurried toward the girl.
Gypsy ran to meet him, flung her
self into his arms.
"Oh, Alan-I'm so glad you're
back I'm so glad that you've come
at last"
She was clinging to him. Alan's
face became a misty vision Gypsy
winked back the tears. She pressed
her cheek against Alan's coat and
felt the rough, woolly fabric Slowly,
breathlessly, she lifted her head.
And then
'Gypsyw Crosby's voice came
cheerfully, heartily This is a sur
prise-I didn't expect to see you
here! Say, you're looking great"
80 are you, Alani"
The girls face was radiant. A
slight hesitation, then Alans kiss
landed somewhere between Gypsy's
right ear and forehead.
why, you haven't changed at
ALL" he grinned. Same turned
up-nose. Same crop of freckles!
No, sir, haven't changed a bit" He
held her off at arms length and
gazed down at her.
Gypsy loved his teasing. She
knew she hadn't turned-up nose,
though Alan always had said so.
She didn't mind the freckles, which
once they had quarreled over.
"Alan-are you really glad to see
me?"
why, of course 1 am. Of course,
dear Gosh, but it's good to be
home and know I'm going to stay a
while Say-maybe I'd better have
a look at what's happened to my
bags"
She had to take rapid, short
steps to keep up with him. The
panorama of noise and confusion,
opened luggage, chattering impa-
tent travellers and unhmTied in
spectors became giamorous now
that Crosby was by her side.
"Oh, look, Alanl Look at that
woman over there with the funny
little monkeys!"
n n
CROSBY followed her glance,
" nodded. He was searching for
a well-worn trunk and travelling
bag.
There's a man from India. The
one with his head all wrapped up
in a turban. Did you meet him,
Alan? He looks as though he might
be a prince. Or sultan maybe!
No, that's wrong-they're in Tur-
key, aren't they?
ooh, it must be thrilling to cross
the ocean on "a boat. You've got
to tell me all about it, Alan. And
oh, there are thousand things
1 want to talk to you about! I don't
know where to start"
Gypsy stopped, aware that the
young man was not listening. He
had turned and GypSy's eyes wild
ened as she followed his lance.
Alan was looking far down the
pier. A woman stood there. She
was dressed in sleek, rich black and
her shoulders were wrapped in a
luxurious fur scarf,
Even Gypsy knew that the
costume, the tiny black hat were
Partisan. The woman was smiling.
She turned so that for an instant
Gypsy could see her clearly.
There was f1eeting impression
of pale skin and red gold hair. A
perfect nose and exotic lips. For
the barest moment the woman faced
them. Then she raised one gloved
hand, waved and disappeared.
"Why-why who-why, Alan"
Gypsy stopped, stared UP at
Crosby. She noted the answering
smile with which he received the
signal. This was no stranger; this
lovely creature was some one Alan
knew.
Fear, gripping and terrifying
fastened itself about Gypsy Nc
Brides heart.
"You-you know her?" she asked
TREMENDOUSLY.
Crosby's brow lifted. know
who? What are you talking about?"
THE woman in black-the one
who waved? She's beautiful
The young man was casual, too
casual, a person of more experience
might have said. He laughed easily.
You're seeing things, Gypsy. There
are dozen women around here
wearing black. None of them very
beautiful, though to my mind. I
don't know which one you meant"
The chill about Gypsy's heart
half melted. Then it CONCEALED
again.
Il mean the beautiful woman who
just went away" she said. "She
was standing there. Wearing fu,s