The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-04-21
CHAPTER FORTY

THE mending basket lay on one
i end Of the davenport where she
had left 1t. Gypsy sat down beside
It.
A pair of Jim's socks topped the
pile of mending. She thought Of
that other time months before when
Aunt Ellen had ripped out the
stitches she had so paintakingly put
into another pair. How many socks
she had mended since thenl
Mechanically she threaded a
needle, but she did not set to work.
Jim couldn't have known about
I'll" Gypsy insisted to herself. "He
wouldn't do such thing. I know
he Wouldn't"
She reviewed the scene with
Marcia. 1t was true, of course, that
now the other girl was openly an
enemy. What did that matter?
"She hated me anyhow" Gypsy
thought. Il don't care what she
thinks or does. It's only JIM"
Out Of that half hours reverie a
new Gypsy came to life. Marcia's
antagonism had been the spur to
bring about this transformation.
She could not give up Jim to such
shallow, selfish creature as
Marcia.
She looked over the past weeks
and saw her mistakes. How easy
she had made it for Marcial Her
own impersonal manner, her feel
ing that she had no real claim on
Jim, had provided the opportunity
Marcia was watching for.
Oh, but now she understood! Now
she would take precautions!
Twice that afternoon there were
long, serious moments when Gypsy
asked herself what she would do if
Jim himself came to her and asked
for his release. That would be en-
tirely different. That would be-
oh, why think about It'll Jim never
would do such a thing.
That evening she made an effort
TO look attractive when Jim ar
rived home. They had dinner served
on the screened porch. There were
cool drinks and an iced dessert.
Gypsy studied Jim's face covertly,
decided that he was tired.
Have you made any more plans
for your vacation?" she asked.
Don't you think you really need
reSt?"
He said vaguely that he might
take some time off next month. 1t
was out of the question for the
present.
Listen, GYPSY" he said, "there's
no reason you should stay here
scorching just because I must. If
you'd like to go up to the lakes for
a couple Of weeks-or some place
else if you'd rather-go ahead!'
The girl said quickly that she
would rather stay. Somehow Jims
enthusiastic dismissal of her was
q little depressing. Later In the
evening he spoke of All engagement
with some business acquaintance
and drove away.
The second week in July was
scorching hot. All day long the sun
beat down increasingly on the dry
earth The lawn which Sam had
worked so faithfully to turn into
thick green velvet became singed
and browniSh. The garden wilted.
Jim came home to dinner looking
worn and weary. Several times he
complained of headaches. Gypsy
tried to keep the house cool and
inviting, but there were days when
not breath of wind was stirring.
Throughout this ordeal she was
fighting to keep up her courage.
1t was Abbie Manley-Abbie who
never Intentionally would have
harmed any one-who brought the
news that was the last straw for
Gypsy.
TT happened in the casual way Of
i so many heartbreaks, Gypsy was
In Martins, the towns largest de-
partment store, on Thursday after
noon. The air outside was Sultry,
but there was no sunshine.
Men and women, hopping their
brows and pauSing to echo each
others complaints about the heat,
wondered If the clouds would bring
rain, and concluded it was I'M