The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-11-17

ter responded with a grunt-he was
half asleep already, as the result Of
too much fresh air and too much
food.
He would not be curious about
her comings and goings If she chose
to steal out now and meet Bowen.
The countess would not be leaving
her pillow, If her protestations Of
suffering were genuine.
And Bruce would be dancing at
tendance upon her dear Louise, I'M
less he really had forsaken the role
Of lap-dog. Mary doubted that
THE coast was clear. Mary put
Il on dark, inconspicuous clothes
and hurried out to the rendezvous
with Bowen. The Laurel tearoun
was small, stuffy affair with a
row Of high-backed benches along
one side.
In the first of these, peering out
worriedly, she saw him-and fell
into the seat opposite with a gasp
Of relief. The wing of the chair
hid her face from others in the
room. She felt as if she had
reached sanctuary.
Bowen looked at his wrist watch
and raised eloquent eyes to the
ceiling.
IF 7 we're married to you" he
said, I'D cut your heart out.
Where've you been for. the last
three hours? Look it" He pointed
to the disorderly array of teacups,
each with its wheel of yellow lemon
and sodden teaball, that surrounded
him in A mi-circle-and at the
glass ash tray. filled and overflow
ing with twisted butts of defunct
cigarets.
Il don't even like tea" he COM
planned bitterly, but it's all you
can get in this place. And I had
to make an attempt to drink the
stuff or get thrown out of here.
Where in the eternal interest of
accuracy have you been?"
With De Iona" Mary managed
to gasp, her breath still short from
running.
That sobered him. ''De Iona
For Gods sake! Where did you
pick him up?"
MARY told him as coherently as
1VI she could, and at the finish
sprung her even more startling
news-that she had an engagement
to meet him at the fete the follow
ing night.
Listen, girl" Bowen said slowly
and solemnly when she had finished,
we've got to go into a huddle over
this and not muff anything. We've
had the breaks so far. If Lady Luck
will just be with us little longer
. Do the others know who De
Iona lisp"
mo. I'm afraid to tell Bruce. I
don't know him we'll enough to
know whether he could be trusted
to help us play the game or not. He
might snatch a gun and go looking
for De Iona, but that's not what
we want.
Mr.. Jupiter must know - but I
haven't had a chance to tell him
yet. rushed right off to meet you"
you and the tortoise" COM
mented Bowen. We'll, let's think, if
it kills us. Have you got the neck
lace here?"
Mary hesitated only second be-
fore replying, YES" She had lost
the complete trust she had once
given TO every one. Dirk had plant
ed the germ of distrust thoroughly;
hereafter she would be frank, with
even with Bowen.
What kind of blowout is that
tomorrow night?" Bowen asked,
with wrinkled brow. What is a
fete, anyhow? Fancy dress?"
L haven't the least idea what
the ambassadors notion of fete
would be-" Mary returned. It imag-
inc it's going to be one of those
CHASTITY affairs where society dow
ayers go about wearing paper hats
and sucking 1ollypops. Why?"
Il was thinking about your cos
tune. Will you have a chance to
wear the necklace?"
DO you think Id better-so
soon?"
"Soon?" :.
We'll. I've only just met him to-
night. Wouldn't he think was
too trustful?"
You'll have your party with you,
won't you? What's trustful about
that?"
That's true. we'll"
What's the matter? Scared?"
mot exactly" She gulped. Hes
- horrible, though. He gives me
shiverS when he looks at me d.
his eyes like black coils :"
A Shudder passed over her. But if
1 must, must. That's what 1 came
here for"
The sooner the better" Bowen
advised. THE ambassador won't put