The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-04-28
cHAPTER FORTY- 81

gypsy could not believe that
NJ she had heard the words cor
rectly. you want what?" she
asked, leaning forward
Il want you to free me. Bring
an end to this farce that Is sup
posed to be marriage. Break
it of.
We both should have known
better in the first place than to try
such a crazy thing. I think it's
time we became sensible"
"Oh!" the girl interrupted him.
oh, I see! You mean you want
me to divorce you Go away. That's
what you mean, isn't it?"
jim nodded. Il suppose it would be
better If you'd go away. I can if you
dent want %. Reno is still the
quickest place.
"Of course III expect you to bring
charges against me. The usual
thing-desertion or incompatibiuty."
You want a divorced" AS the
girl breathed the words, they were
barely above a whisper. Its
Marcia, isn't it2" she went on.
You're going to marry her?"
Jim met her eyes steadily. "That
lsn't-isn't quite settled vet. I
thought you'd be reasonable about
this thing I supposed you'd see it
was the best way for both Of US"
Gypsys lips were trembling. ooh,
yes" she said, trying to steady
them. I see that it's the best
way"
They heard footsteps and both
turned. Matilda stood in the door
way. Dinner is served, Mrs. Wal
lace, she announced.
Gypsy glanced toward her hus-
band. We'll come" she told the
servant, and arose. Jim followed
her into the dining room.
THERE was the table with its
Z snowy cloth and the cleaning
tapers. Gypsy herself had placed
the candlesticks. There was the low
centerpiece Of daisies and pink
asters that she had arranged.
There was food on the table, but
Gypsy knew that she could not eat.
Mechanically she sat down as jim
drew the chair out for her.
AS long as she lived the girl was
never to forget that meal Jim's
face, darkly tanned, and his eyes
avoiding hers, directly opposite over
that mass Of flowers.
The outlandish candles, symbols
OF festivity. The knife in Gypsy's
heart that was turning. turning so
that she could have cried out from
sheer physical pain.
There was so much she wanted |
to say to Jim. The words tumbled |
to her lips and then suddenly we're
silenced. Nothing could be said |
now. Nothing!
Matilda seemed constantly at her
side offering dishes which Gypsy |
merely looked at and shook her |
head. Was the meal never to end? |
Jim made an effort or two at |
he was doing it, of |
course, for Matilda's benefit. To
keep up appearances. Gypsy recog-
nized this fact, but could not play
up to it.
CHE heard him mention the fact !
. that she was not eating.
Il had tea down town." she told |
him. How long ago that seemed |
now. Two hours? 1t was like a |
lifetime. At last the travesty Of !
eating was ended.
There are a few things we ought !
to talk about" jim suggested. Il |
there's less chance Of being |
interrupted in the library"
Gypsy nodded. AS she stepped |
forward one fiuttering end of the |
drapery at the side of her skirt |
caught in the doorway. She gave
a little exclamation jim bent !
down and unfastened the silk.
The girl Stifled an impulse to
brush her fingers against his soft, |
sandy hair. She walked ahead of |
him into the library and sat down
on chair facing the desk. Jim
took the desk chair.
"You want me to go right away,
I suppose?" Gypsy asked.
Suit your own convenience. I
was under the impression that the
sooner affairs could be arranged,
the better it would be for both Of
us"
Gypsy nodded. She was looking
at the floor Presently she said
slowly, $50 it really was true
about Marcia after all?
Il suppose when I was sick you
we're just-sorry for me and that's
why you tried to make me think
you didn't care about her. That's
why you talked about going away
for vacation"
"Oh, don't bother to impute
high motives to mel I don't de-
serve that. We tried something
ridiculous and it failed.
Whether I happen to be in love
with some one else or not isn't the