The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-03-31
NOW GO ON Win THE STORY
CHAPTER TWENTY -FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY -FOUR
She held up the envelope and
started TO tear one end open. Some
thing made her hesitate. Mrs.
James Wallace" - she read the
name over again. Mrs. James Wal
lace"
"Alanl" the girl sobbed convul-
sively. ooh, Alan" She flung
herself face down against the pill
lows, and tears came unchecked.
They dampened one corner Of the
letter to which she chung tightly.
They we're hot tears, wrenched
forth with great shaking sobs
Alan, want you'll want you'll"
the girl moaned. "Oh, what am I
to do?"
Presently she sat up, cropping for
handkerchief to dry her red and
swollen eyes. She still held the let
ter unopened.
One part Of her yearned feverish-
ly to read what Alan had written
The other part-it was fear-cau-
toned. Don't do it! You'll be
sorry" Gypsy held the envelope
and stared at it,
Yes, of course, she must open It'll
There we're a thousand things that
could have happened since she left
New York. Alan might be needing
her.
Gypsy jumped up and crossed the
room. You're Jim WalIace's wife, 3"
, she told herself. you married him
to get away from all this. Alan
Crosby doesn't love you. He never
did love you.
"Open that letter and you'll re-
greet it. What if he should say he's
sorry now? What can you do about
it? It's too latel"
CHE heard a knock at the door.
~ Gypsy stood motionless. After
a moment she called out:
who is it?"
Matilda answered in her heavy
accent. Its Miss Christopher,
Ma'am. She's downstairs waiting.
She said you was expecting her"
Tell her I'll come in a few min
utes,' Gypsy directed, She was still
wearing the suit coat and hat she
had put on to go out marketing.
Gypsy tossed aside the hat, fluffed
out her hair and went to the bath
room to dash cold water on her
eyes. She could not entirely con-
ceal the swollen lids, but powder
was helpful
The last thing she did before
leaving the room was to drop Alan's
letter into the desk drawer. She
gave it wistful glance, then hur-
ried down the stairs.
Miss Christopher was slender and
trim and gray-haired. She sat in
a straight-backed chair and as
Gypsy entered the living room she
arose, smiling.
How do you do, Mrs. Wauace?'
she said. Il hope I'm not too early.
I've just been adiniring the lines of
that fireplace You know, we're 60
ing to make this into o beautiful
rooml"
Good morning. I hope youll ex-
cuse me for keeping you waiting"
Gypsy's smile was mechanical.
Miss Christopher opened her
handbag and took out bits Of dark
colored cloth. "Of course I under
stand you're busy" she said. Nov
here are the samples and I do
think this mulberry is lovely.
IF you prefer a lighter shade.
I'd recommend the buff. You could
have the same color in this bro
cade if you'd rather. They're sun
proof of course. Notice the quail
Gypsy fingered the little squares
of fabric, froWning.
I'll show you what I have in
mind" Miss Christopher continued.
''Here-perhaps I'd better make a
sketch. BY crossing the overdrapes
you get the effect of a valance in a
newer way. Do you see what I
mean?"
Miss Christopher's voice was
bird-like. AS she drew the diagram
she chartered on. Gypsy, trying to
listen, found that she was hearing
the high, chirping syllables with