The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-04-15
Chapter Thirty-five continued

Chapter T'hirty-flve Continued
1t isn't insurance I want to talk
about" Marcia said. Its some
thing else" She stirred against her
cushions and raised on tiny slip
pered toe and inspected it critically,
Maybe you'll hate me for asking
you to come here this way, but l
couldn't help it, jim. I had to see
you!"
But I've already told you I'm
glad to come"
It isn't about business or insur-
ance,' the girl went on. Its about
mel"
Jim Wallace looked slightly un-
comfortable, but he did not speak.
NO matter what you think of me
Tor II" Marcia went on, I've got
to tell you this. lists a con-
fession."
She waited, then continued slow
ly. I didn't love Brock Phillips.
1 found that out, Jim, the first
week we we're married. Oh, you've
no idea how miserable I've beenl
I'm miserable now when every one
thinks I'm heartbroken over Brock
and I'm not.
of course was fond of HMM
way. It was a terrible accident
and L cried when I knew he was
dead. Only you see I can't mourn
him like wife.
"A thousand times I've upbraided
myself for the way I treated you,
Jim, but I've been punished for it.
Oh-Ive been punished"
She covered her eyes with a
handkerchief. There was a moment
Of silence. Then Jim said, "Why
are you telling me all this?"
Because II want you to know
= that I'm sorry. Oh, Jim, it was all
such a terrible mistaken" He could
scarcely hear her voice for the sobs.
please Marcia" Jim said
soothingly, you're only going to
make yourself feel worse. You
mustn't go on this way. Try to
brace up now and stop cryingv'
There was no answer. He could
not sec the girls face, so he moved
to the davenport and sat down be-
side her. He put hand on Mar
cia's arm.
Don't let yourself be so miser-
ablel Don't Marcial"
She still held the handkerchief to
her eyes with one hand, the other
dropped, found Jin's and chung to
1t. Presently the word came faint
ly. do you-hate me, Jim?"
'Of course I don't. I could never
DO that You know think a lot of
you"
"oh-you can say that after all
I've donel"
ct isn't going to do any good to
think about the past now Jim
said steadily. "You mustn't do it,
Marcia. That's all over. Forgotten.
You ought to be thinking about the
future"
MARCIA touched the handker-
1Y1chief daintily to each eye. S he
looked infinitely pathetic. There
were no swollen rim about the blue
gray eyes such as weeping usually
brings.
For me-" Marcia said softly, "for
me there'll never be anything but
the past"
Suddenly she took Jim's hand in
both of hers, pressed it tightly. Il
suppose l ought to go away" she
began. Never see you again
That's what I should do.
You're happy here, aren't you,
Jim? Married-with lovely wife.
oh, of course, she's lovely. I've
seen her. I ought to go away so
that you can forget all about
me"
"Don'tl" Wallace spoke sharply
Don't talk that way. You know I
never could forget you'll"
ooh, but you must. You'll have
to. I'm the one to do the suffering,
because I'm the one who sent you
away.
ooh, Jim, darling, when I think
of the happiness we might have had
when / think or all threw away,
IL just can't stand It'll"
Marcia buried her face against
the young mans shoulder. She
chung to him helplessly. The per-
fume of her hair, so silken, so gold
en-, was a subtle sweetness. Jims
arm went around her. For long
moment he held her; then Marcia
drew away.
Il didn't mean to do that" she
said. IT only asked you to come
here because I thought it would be
easier if there was one person who
understood.
"You were the only person I could
talk to. I don't mean to interfere
with your life, jim. Not for the
worldl "She waited and the eyes
behind the curling lasheS lifted to
his shrewdly.
Scarcely above murmur she