The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-10

! want things spoiled for you by the
newspapers or by-Leda."
"Tt> newspapers" Ellen echoed.
Cant you see what a story they'd
make Of our marriage If we an
nounced it pubHcly?" Can't you"
you mean they'd call me a gold
digger" Ellen interrupted mis-
chievously.
More likely they'd call me a
cradle-robber," he countered.
THE muckrakers never would
dare to infer such a thingl" she
said in mock indignation. "A young
fellow like you'll"
He laughed, sobered suddenly.
TITS not entirely a laughing mat
ter, darling" He went on slowly,
The reporters could make hor-
ror out of the time I want you to
remember as the sweetest of your
life
THE girl felt her heart set up
Il thick, uncomfortable tattoo.
She would not meet his eyes.
You know how unfortunate my
second marriage was" Steven was
saying in that grave, disturbing
tone. Even if I would I couldn't
explain Leda Grayson to you. I
don't and never will understand her.
eff she knew of your existence,
though she long since has lost any
interest in me, she would stop at
nothing to make things disagreeable
for you. She would stop at moth
ing to obtain for herself columns of
newspaper publicity-any kind Of
publicity"
His voice stopped. He was tor
tured with the burning embarrass-
ment of the shy and self-contained
who are forced by circumstances to
abandon their reserve.
When shall we make our an
nouncement?" Ellen asked.
After we've sailed" said Steven
promptly. by the time we've re-
turned our marriage won't be news
any longer"
Then it's settled"
you're not disappointed because
you won't walk down the aisle of st.
Thomas with an armload of 1ilies?"
Disappointed" she scoffed. "I
should say not. I'd be frightened to
death. Really and truly, Steven, I
prefer quiet wedding. I wanted
that all along"
"Ah, you are darling!"
He raised her hand to his lips,
gently kissed the palm and closed
her fingers over the kiss.
Then I'm not even to tell Miss
Elcott that we're being married?"
Ellen said, permitting her hand to
lie in his hand.
ooh, I've already told her. She's
as quiet as the grave. If you have
time, you might run in to see her
some time. during the next few
days. She'd like it. But it won't
be necessary"
UAVEN'T you any one you want
Il L to invite to the wedding?"
Ellen asked. She went on shyly,
Here we are about to be married
and l don't know a blessed thing
about your family or even if you
have one"
81 have a sister," Barclay said
reluctantly. I'VE don't get on, my
sister and I. She hasn't spoken to
me since the day I married Leda
Grayson. She has son I see oc-
casionally, a nice chap, but lazy as
they come. You'd like him. He's
young and full of life"
I'm sure I would" Ellen said.
DO they live here?"
Abroad most of the time" he
answered and the topic died. But
Ellen was to remember those words
long afterward.
They talked of Bert and of the
things Steven planned for him.
Their talk drifted on to inconse-
quential subjects and finally Steven
rose to go.
There's something else I want
to tell you-something pleasant
this time" he said, smiling down
! at her IF you had father or
older brother I'd discuss it with
him, but you've been in business so
long yourself that you'll under
stand.
Il want you to be absolutely in
dependent of me financially. So if
there's any little thing you'd like
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