The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-11-11
Gems Of Peri! a q z: e.
on BYM ,N1iQLm


LIE was of on his plans for the
Il i cruise. The man hunt they
we're about to embark on super
seeded everything else in his mind,
for which Mary was grateful.
For the first time she began
really to hope that the business
might be brought to a successful
end, and soon.
Leaving Jupiter cracking orders
over the telephone, she went
thoughtfully out and up to her
room. 1t was useless to try to
reach Dirk-she did not want to be
curious about his whereabouts.
Sh ewould write him at the house
and wait for his answer, hard as
the waiting would be. If she
didn't hear on Monday she would
call him, for she couldn't go away
without seeing him.
Dearest Dirk (she wrote: I'm
sorry I walked away as I did last
night don't suppose you'd like to
forgive me, would you? I should
never have mixed you up in all
this. Tt just comes under the head
Of unfinished business" that must
be attended to before I can marry
you, that's all.
you remember you worked late
at the Office last night finishing up
some matters that couldn't be left
undone. It's the same with me.
Don't worry about it, and above
all don't think you must help. I
don't expect you to, and I'm not
angry about it, really.
81 am leaving Monday for Florida
on the Gypsy with the JupiterS.
Can't you come and see me before
I go? If don't see you again be-
fore I go, though, I make you this
promise-that whether this job is
finished or not, will keep my date
with you in December. cor have
1 one?)
with love, always.
MARY"
When she had the letter sealed,
stamped, and ready to go, she had
the absurd impulse to run to Dirk
with it in her hand. How coutS
she wait until Monday for an an
swer? Perhaps if she went into the
village and mailed it now, it might
reach him on the late afternoon
delivery.
Impatiently she threw off her
clothes, found an old pair of riding
brooches and shirt, and donned
tenn.
Then she telephoned the barns
and asked to have a saddle put on
Betsy, the mild little mare that was
hers to ride when not more gain
fully occupied at pulling the lawn
mower or the station wagon.
EXhilarated by the prospect of
getting out into the crisp autumn
air, and by her errand, she went out,
whistling happily.
Outside her door, she came face
to face with Bruce, who evidently
had moved into the room across the
hall.
He said stif1y, 1--WE are neighbors,
it seems. I'm sorry if the proximity
annoys you"
MARY seized the opportunity to
1V1 talk to him outside his ia
theirs hearing. It was a chance she
had hoped for, but would have found
it diStatsteful to seek.
'Let me understand you," she said,
coming forward to look at him
straight in the eye. eff I accept
your fathers offer to make me his
heir, it means that you will re-
main here, with him? That you win
not go back to Europe, as you
planned?"
"How bright you are!"
"And if I refuse it, you go on
about your affairs as before?"
Bruce obviously was taken aback.
eff I thought you meant it-yeS,"
he returned hesitantly..
Then I accept"
accept? But" Bruce Strug-
led with surprise.
Mary repeated. ST accept and I
expect you to live up to your bar
gain. If the only consideration
that will induce you to change your
wholly selfish way of living and
spend some time with your father is
fear of me, then am glad to be of
use.
tits too late now to do anything
about it SO far as your mother is
concerned, but there's still your
father who would like to see sorae-
thing of you, oddly enough
Bruce was staring at her. a
strange expression on his face.
"I've wanted to say this to YOU
for six years." she went on I'M
daunted. ever since I came here
I've tried to do my own quaint little
imitation of Mary Sunshine, any,
thing to keep those two people from
thinking how much they missed
you, from realizing how little their
money had brought them, after all
Il didn't succeed, naturally, but
it isn't odd that we all grew to be
very fond of one another
II quite understand that, little
rival" Bruce murmured softly, a
peculiar glow in his eyes.
MARY had dropped her bitter
N1 tone and tried to speak as sin
cerely as she felt Now she drew
herself up and rejoined Stif1y: