The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-03-20
MAD N|ARRIAGE 2
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aren't your I came up to tell you
dinner is ready"
"All I want is something hot to
drink" Gypsy said.
Listen, you don't know what a
wonderful cook Harriet Isl She's
got a big dinner ready and she's
waiting for us to come down"
The girl heeitated.
please come" Jim urged. He
spoke so earnestly that she vas
persuaded against her better judg-
ment.
"All right" she said. Give me
five minutes"
Wallace turned to go. IN wait
for you downstairs" he told her.
There was a bath adjoining the
room. 1t was spacious and finished
in white tile. Nothing modernistic,
no pastel-hued plumbing fixtures in
this house, Gypsy assured herself,
thinking of the grim Aunt Ellen.
"She loathes me-" the girl
thought. She loathes me and she's
never going to get over it."
Quickly she splashed cold water
on her face. Nothing in the world
would have been so inviting to
Gypsy at that moment as warm
leisurely bath, but it was out of the
question. The cold water was re-
freshing. Gypsy powdered and
fluffed her hair at the sides with
a comb.
Her white blouse was smudged
with train smoke. She brushed it,
but that only made the smudge
darker. Well-she had done her
best to look presentable
TIM heard her coming and ap-
j peared at the foot of the stair
way.
1.-THE dining rooms through here"
he said. He led her into the long
living room, where CHEEKY fire
burned on the hearth, across a hall
way and into room where tall
&C Hes cast their yellow glow over
a table set for three.
Ellen Wallace, prim and severe,
waited beside a chair at the head OF
the table.
You're to sit here" Jim told the
girl, drawing back the chair at the
right.
Gypsy sat down; Jim seated his
aunt, then took his place a the
opposite end of the table.
There was a centerpiece Of red
roses. They were so high Gypsy
scarcely could see over them, but
she murmured something apprecia-
tive about the flowers.
The linen was glistening and
snowy, and the silver a heavy, old
fashioned pattern. More of the an
cestral splendor Of the Wallaces, the
girl thought resentfully.
Miss Wallace touched a bell and
Immediately servant appeared
with the soup. The hostess broke
her silence to ask if Gypsy cared
for more seasoning.
The girl said she did not. The
soup might have been excellent an
hour before. Now it was fiat with
the distinct taste of warming over.
Wallace began talking of Forest
Clty's new airport. There was to be
a reception for a distinguished flier
there next week. He had read plans
for the occasion in the evening
newspaper.
He talked glibly, most of the time
addressing Gypsy, but occasionally
turning toward his aunt.
Poor fellow! jim had the set look
of a man determined to be cheer
full at all costs. Gypsy, who had
been brooding over her own mis-
fortunes, SUDDENLY felt a sweep OF
sympathy fer him.
He was having a hard time and
trying to make the best of it.
IT'S not all his fault either"
honesty forced the girl to admit
I'm as much to blame for this
nightmare as he isl"
In spite of Jin1'S efforts the din
ner was dismal. Harriet (she had
not only cooked the food, but was
serving it, had done what she could
to repair the damage of delay but
the biscuits were cold.
The soufle, SO delicately favored,
was a soggy mass and the salad
was soaked with dressing. The cof-
fee must have been freshly made.
! It was delicious.
For time Aunt Ellen sat in dour
silence, but presently she began to
question Gypsy. Her intentions
were only too obvious.
I'm afraid Forest City may seem
quiet to you after New York" she
suggested. Il suppose you're used
to parties almost every night?"
Hardly that often" Gypsy an
swered.
But Jim tells me these relatives
of yours-what's their name?-
Trowbridge-do a great deal OF en-
tertaining.
1--WE read about the wild carry
ings-on in what passes for society
J nowadays. Society-humph What
Is your religious faith?"