The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-13
CHAPTER FoRTY-THREE Ccor
tiuued)

CHAPTER fORTI-ThSEE tC0n-
tinued)
She wondered almost in terror
what sort Of a woman she was TO be
so tickle, so cl1angeable. Only a few
months ago Van Robard had en-
shared her imagination. Now that
spell was ended forever.
Although she thought sometimes
of Van with pain and regret, there
was no shadow Of longing in her
heart.
we can't go on like this" she
thought in pity and terror. IF he
wants me to let him go, must be
decent enough to do as he asks. He
deserves to be happy"
She wondered if Tressa was the
one TO bring Give the happiness he
deserved, Perhaps she was. Who
could say?
Many times she nerved her
self to the ordeal Of speaking to
Give about this, but always the
words died on her lips before she
could shape them.
1OulOILONg Biz WOulQ odJS IL
talk to him about it tomorrow"
She could see that Give, too, was
troubled, absorbed. "He wants to
ask me for his freedom and hest
tates because he is afraid am not
strong enough" she unused. Il am.
must be. 1 must be the one to
speak"
ELIVE had come home to dinner
~ that night. They dined in
state at the long table. Lane wore
a dress which had been in her tros-
seau, a soft chiffon in tones Of faint
blues and lilac.
The color had come back into
her face. Her cheeks we're round
again and her eyes bright. Ellen,
pleased at having the young pair
to wait on once more, tip-toed soft
~ back and forth, bringing deli
cious food on silver dishes.
Lame reflected, anyone to see
us would think we were the hap
piest pair. Too bad it can't be
true.
At the thought she colored
brightly. Give, glancing across at
her, thought how we'll she looked.
Il had a letter from mother to-
day." he began. "She's coming
home"
ooh, when?"
First of June, I believe. I left
the letter upstairs. I'll give it to
you after dinner"
Were not" she hesitated,
then continued. eve won't be
staying on here?"
Just as you like" She inter
preted the indifference in his voice
as GOODNESS. The thought threw
her into panic. what shall
do?" she demanded of herself!
Whatever shall I do?"
Il
CHE waited until dessert had been
- served and Ellen had with
drawn. She said then, tits to be
as you like, of course. I've been
wanting to talk to you about all this
for weeks"
His frown deepened. "All tlais?"
About us. Plans"
Panic drove her on. After all, he
had announced in the beginning
that their marriage was to be purely
a business partnership. He had
married her to escape the bondage
Of his mother domineering.
Now that he had come into his
own, there was no reason they need
continue with this empty form of
existence. 1t was mockery.
II don't know what you mean,
Lame"
He said her name so seldom that
the sound Of it in his deep voice set
her heart to pounding.
She said, Il think it is wicked that
you still should be bound to me.
We're quits now. You'd be better
of without me-"
He stared at her. What he
thought was this, She means she
wants to be free"
''You saved my life,' Lame
Numbered on. II owe you that.
You have a right to whatever you
want. If you are tired of this
arrangement, it's natural enough.
I should be the last one to re-
proach you for that"
She's thought it all out" he
reflected. She's trying to save
my face by putting it this way"
None of this showed in his face
as he answered in a voice strange
ly harsh, Just as you like. Per-
haps we had better see to the de-
tails before mother comes back.
We can get it all out of the way
without any fuss and furry"
q 4
CHE turned away to hide her
- tears. What she had expected
of this interview she did not exactly