The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-07-19
CHAPTER FoRTY-EIGHT

III ~ QN hANtIAl AhIH@A GESeAAs
Il It sat on the fifth step down
from the top Of the flight, and as
Phillips reached for 1t, the kitten
backed away.
It's fur mounted perpendicularly
and from its mouth came a sharp,
kissing "Phftl"
1t was Cherry's kitten.
"Pinkyl" Dan Phillips exclaimed.
He picked up the little animal, hold
ing it to the light. 1t was Pinky-
there could be no doubt about it.
Pearson, below, asked impatiently:
Whats the idea? What's the cat
get to do WITH"
But Dan was not listening One
quick glance about him and he
was running up the stairs. There
we're three doors opening off the
third-floor hallway.
One led to Dixie Shannon's tiny
quarters and another TO the Mo-
reaus' rooms. Phillips never had
stepped behind the third door. 1t
was a vacant apartment-but, no,
a tiny crack of light cleaned above
the door sill.
A half dozen strides carried Dan
10 that door The kitten, having
established mountaineering, era
died close to his arm. It was purr-
ing in sleepy sing-song.
Dan knocked
There was no answer but ne
heard rustling sound on the OPP
posite side of the door He knocked
a second time
Then slowly, hesitantly, the door
opened. There she stood Cherry
wearing the yellow housedress in
which he had seen her so often.
The lampight fell on that yellow
dress and made it golden. Cherry
face was pale. She raised wide,
dark-fringed eyes to Dams.
The young man said, Cherry"
AS often as she had rehearsed
the scene to follow-as often as she
had hoped for it-what happened
in the next few moments was moth
ing whatever like Cherry's imagin-
ings
Dan took a step forward. He held
out the kitten and Cherry took it
In her arms.
Here" Dan said. "Pinky-I
found him on the steps"
The words halted. The young
man was looking inUently at the
girls face. He did not move-was
not even standing inside the room.
He did not try to touch Cherry, but
remained there staring at her.
1T was the girl who recovered from
Il her surprise first She put
hand TO her throat, smiled in a way
that was not quite convincing, said
in low, throaty voice, Thank you,
Dan. II guess you're surprised to
see mel"
He nodded. 1t was not Dams
voice that answered, but one that
was entirely strange and seemed to
belong to another person.
yes, it is surprise. Have you
been here all the time, Cherry? I
didn't know"
Il didn't want you TO. The jani-
tor said it was all right. He let
me stay here. I've been down in
the apartment, too-but only when
] knew you wouldn't be there.
No one saw me. 1 didn't want
anyone to know about it, Pinky's
been here all the while, but tonight
he must have slipped out when I
wasnb noticing"
ToVn1 rIof1nac ri
fact voices. And all the while the
flaming, stabbing words so close to
Dams lips.
There was the briefest pause and
then Phillips made a tremendous
effort He said, "Cherry-you want
me to go, don't you?"
why, I"
IF that's what you want I'll do
It," Suddenly Dan was voluble.
I'll do anything you say, Cherry.
mean--anything! You can have
a divorce If you want it. Every
thing was my fault know that
now.
There's no reason why you
should be tied to dub like mel 1
couldn't expect it after the way
I've treated you. Well arrange
things in the quietest way-make
1t as easy for you as possible.
"Oh, you're million times too
good for me and 4 know it! I've
made every kind of fool of myself
a man can. I couldn't expect you
to forgive the things I've donel
and I want you to be happy,
Cherry! I want that more than
anything else in the world. I'll
I'll even give you up if that will
make you happy!"
He could keep from it no longer.
Suddenly Dams arms went around
the girl. He caught her close to