The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-04-15
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81 lAURA LOU BR0OkNAN A0thor 0fIiEART ItLhl6RkeG

UlI7 or OF /
asked, do you love her very
much?'
His expression did not change.
Gypsy and I have been happy, Z"
he said. She's a fine girl"
I'm so glad for your sake. She
wouldn't mind your coming here
today, would she?"
"Oh, no. Gypsy wouldn't mind.
Only I've been thinking that if you'd
rather turn things over to another
lawyer"
why should I do that? Just
seeing you once in a while makes
me so much happier, Jim. Surely
we can be friendsl Is that too
much to ask when you have every
thing and I have so little?"
jim Wallace frowned. Look here,
Marcia" he said, we've got to face
this thing. Circumstances have
well, changed. There's nothing we
can do about that now.
You know I'm fond of you. I
always will be. But there are
other things responsibilities - to
think of. OF course you're unhappy
now, but you'll get over it. There
must be fine things ahead for a girl
like you.
you have beauty, charm, money
there's nothing in the world YOU
can't have!"
please, Jim"
mo, you must listen. I don't
want to think of you staying in
the house here, miserable all day
long.
you ought to be getting out,
getting interested in what's going
on. That's what you should do. Get
out and see people, try to forget
what's past!"
rs that what you want me to do,
Jim?" The girls voice was humble.
eyes"
Then I'll-try. I promise you I
will"
Good! Now I think I'd better
be going. It's getting late"
But it's only five" Marcia OBJ
jected. and I'm a dreadful hostess!
Please wait and let me get you a
cool drink" She was on her feet
before he could stop her and out of
the room. Jim walked to window.
He stood there, hands in his pockets,
staring out until a few minutes
later Marcia returned.
II Il q -
CHE was carrying large old
~ fashioned tray. There was a
pitcher on it and two glasses, al
ready filled, containing ice and
topped with mint sprigs. Marcia
set the tray on a low table and
offered jim a glass. She took one
herself.
Here's to your happiness" she
said, raising the glass to her lips.
And here's to yours"
1t was nearly 6 when at last he
rose to leave. Marcia followed him
to the door, offered her hand. He
pressed it tightly.
THANK you for coming" she said
softly. you've done a lot to help
me-"
"Then I'm very glad. Let me
know when you hear from that in
surance office. Good night
Good night, Jim"
The door closed. From the hall
window Marcia watched him go
down the walk and turn to the
right. She waited until the broad
shoulders were out of sight.
An old-fashioned mirror with a
frame of carved maple hung against
the wall Marcia faced her ref1ec-
ton in the mirror. For an instant
she studied herself critically,
touched her hair here and there,
gently replacing a curling wisp.
Then she raised her head. Marcia
was smiling and there was triumph,
complete confidence in that smile.
4
EOR nearly a week Gypsy could
Il not make up her mind what
was wrong There was nothing in
what Jim said to betray restleSsness.
He was as considerable as ever. She
saw him at the breakfast table, at
dinner, frequently during the eve
ming. In spite of outward calm
Gypsy knew that something had
happened.
Jim seemed different. He would
look up in the middle of something
she had been telling him, his face
saying as plain as words that he
had heard not a single sentence.
At other times he would set pre-
occupied so that Gypsy herself
would become embarrassed at the
stiffness.
It was on a Wednesday that she
learned the truth.
Gypsy had been busy in the gar
den all afternoon. Sam was spray
ing the rose bushes and the girl
had been punching about with a
trowel, pulling weed when she
found one, patting the soil about
roots where rainfall had washed it
away, and enjoying herself heartily.
She came into the house late to
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