The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-25
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CHAPTER ONE


Twenty-fourth street.
Cherry Dixon's chin rose to
meet the sweep Of the cold
wind. Fluttering ends of a
coral scarf escaped from her
throat, to do a mad dance
over one shoulder. 1t was
one Of those days in early
April. when brilliant sunshine
showered down on the world
without warming it.
The pale gold radiance seemed
almost TO make the air more Bit
ing But it was spring sunshine,
spring air. and the combination was
irresistible
Cherry crooked her wrist for a
quick glance at watch dial Only
$40 now. She was not due for
twenty minutes. There was plenty
OF time-oh. plenty-to reach the
Wellington for her 100 engagement.
She had known all along there
was time enough. Little danger that
today. OF all days, she would be
late
Another halt for traffic lights and
then on again. Cherry's impa-
thence was gone. What day It was
TO be 10. to know the beige suit was
as becoming as it was new. to be on
her way to meet an exciting young
man and to know-at least TO know
almcst-that ne cared as much
about the meeting as she did
Warm color that could not have
been accounted for by the April
wind crept into Cherry Dixon's
cheeks. A chance observer, femi-
nine. would have been almost sure
to think. Lucky girl" at sight OF
Cherry. so pretty, so youthful, at the
wheel Of her expensive roadster.
A chance observer. masculine
would have been almost sure to
think. Lucky break to know a girl
like that"
Well. Cherry thought she was
lucky. For none of the reasons
chance observers might have cited
however.
II had been the greatest luck in
the world. surely. that for the sec
ond time in a week she was to see
Dan Phillips. Oh. it had been SIM
pie TO manage. telling neither ABOUT
the guild committee meeting and TO
drive into town alone.
There had been a committee
meeting-until Gretchen postponed
Il For that matter, what other
Girl of 10 would have to explain
where she was going and with
whom. if the notion to take drive
at midday happened to strike her
TIME roadster reached the viaduct
and swept into the slow stream
If eastbound travel. At Twelfth
sireet-Wellingtons busiest thor
ourhfare. boasting three buildings
twenty stories high-the flash oil
Green was almost lost in the crush
Of taxicabs. trucks, limousines ana
small. Wheeling vehicles.
There was no time to try TO justify
her deception, no time for day
dreams. The shrin. authoritative
blast of an officers whistle sent the
swarming mass ahead The girl. IN
the green car, managed eXpertly 10
keen abreast Of the current. Three
blocks more and the roadster
swcrved to the curb before the Hotel
Wellington.
Cherry stepped out, surrendered
the car to n doorman and entered
the gray stone building. She crossed
the lobby and mounted the broad
stairway leading to the mezzanine.
Maize Cassidy. whose glowing
titan curls and blue eyes made the
cigar stand a highly decorative cor
ner Of the lobby, tapped the arm OF
her friend. Joe Kampschmidt who
was leaning over the glass surface
OF the counter.
"Well-look what blew in" Maize
whispered in a tone that belied her
Indifferent gaze.
Kampschmidt concentrated on the
slim figure ascending the stairway.
Some baby!" he said casually.
"Who IS she?"
some baby's right" Maize COM
mented. What I wouldn't give for
the dough her old mans got Cher
~ Dixon-that's her name. Lives
out in Sherwood Heights in one OF
those swell houses with a yard
around it as big as q farm. I've
seen her picture or the society
pages. Most Of theftime she's away
in Europe or at some swell school
or something. Gosh-some people
have al the luck!'
How about me. Maize? Do !
get a break this trip or are you
going to another o: your sixteenth
cousins weddings"
Maize grinned. You can call
me" she said. About 8 o'clock.
There's a new orchestra at the
Crystal ballroom
Whereupon Miss Cassidy and her
friend forgot their interest in Cher
~ Dixon for more personal sub
jects.
Cherry Dixon'S arrival that a tall
young man strobe into the Vel
lington lobby he wore a gray suit
and carried a topcoat His gray
felt was tipped at an angle just
slightly rakish. Broad shoulders
rather angular. Not a handsome
young man, but an attractive one
In a dozen strides he had reached
the stairway. Some one sang out
~Hil Phillips" Just before he
rounded the bend in the stairs. The
Young man turned. waved in salute
and continued on his way.
THE mezzanine floor OF the Hotel
Il Wellington was a rather mar
-