The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-04-25
CHAPTER FORTY-FOuR


THE man and the girl stared at
i each other as though neither
quite dared to believe the truth.
rs it really you, Gypsy?' Crosby
said in a low voice. IT'S been so
long"
She came nearer and held out her
hand. "Of course it's /" Gypsy's
voice caught in a throaty laugh.
Don't you know me? I haven't
changed, Alan. But you-how did
you get here? Where did you come
from? It doesn't seem possible!"
For a moment neither of them
said anything. Crosby took Gypsy's
hand and pressed it closely. He
was studying her face.
Gypsy looked up into the dark
eyes and what she saw there set her
heart beating rapidly. Alan looked
thinner. Ee was pale, too.
Then she saw that his hair was
brushed back from his forehead in
the same careless, untidy, thorough
ly delightful way.
Gypsy laughed nervously. I'm a
fine hostess--not even Offering you
q chair. Sit down, won't you?"
The young man did not move.
you're lovelier than ever, Gypsy"
he told her. You're like a picture.
Why didn't I ever think to sketch
you with an arnful Of yellow flow
ers like that?
you're tanned and there's more
color in your face. Lord-it's good
just to look at you'll"
She laid the flowers on the table,
came back and sank into chair.
7 haven't heard so many compli-
ments in a long while" Gypsy told
him. ITS very pleasant, but I'd
much rather you told me how you
got here, what you're doing"
"I'll tell you all about every
thing" Crosby promised. only it's
going to take little time" Not
for a moment had he taken his eyes
from the girl. Il don't see how I
could have forgotten you're so beau
tiful," he finished
Really" began Gypsy. She
stopped because it seemed prig-
gish to tell young man she had
known as long as she had Alan that
he mustn't say she was beautiful.
Gypsy was trying to be very calm,
but her cheeks were burning. Color
indeed! Did Alan think she blushed
constantly like this?
Il didn't know If I'd find you
here" he was saying. Il sent let
ter once, and it came back. I did
not know whether that meant you'd
gone away or not"
Gypsy shook her head. ''I haven't
been away. I sent the letter back
tecause-well, I thought it was the
best thing to do"
"Oh" Alan glanced downward.
When he looked up again there was
a queer tightening about his lips.
" A Ian, please tell me what
"A you've been doing. Are you
still with Thomas? How did you
get my address? I've thought about
you hundreds Of tinesr
Have you?" There was a shade
Of bitterness in the young mans
smile. Il feel fattered. No, I'm
not with Thomas. Only lasted
month there"
Didn't you like it? I thought
you we're so pleased with the work.
Fired" he told her, because
my sketches we're lousy and I had
a row with the head of the depart
ment."
why, Alanl"
You might as we'll hear the
worst. You asked for it. Gypsy. I've
made just about as big a fool Of
myself as a man can. I don't mind
losing the job at Thomas, even
though I was fired.
I deserved to lose it. Got into
a crowd that spent more than I
could afford and wasted the nights
going to parties and night clubs. I
thought I was making splash
meeting influential friends and all
that. Say, they were all bunch
Of four1ushers!
Il couldn't work. My drawings
got worse and worse. All the time
l knew what the trouble was, but I
made myself believe the boss had
a grudge against me.
Finally we had a fight and it
was a real one! packed up my