The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-12-20


/ n
1T was a habit of Fleur's when
J. she wanted anything but did not
want to be put in the position OF
asking for it, to trail of in an in
determinate sentence, and to wait
for the other person to make the
actual suggestion.
Linda had learned just how long
she could leave the unfinished SEN
tence suspended in the air between
I them, thus filling Fleur with vague
I alarm lest she might have to fur
1 Their her own scheme openly, or
worse yet, see it ignored entirely
This time Linda did not indulge
in her favorite bedevilment
Fleur's calculating little maneuver
too aptly fitted in with her own
cherished plan.
That is a shamel I know he'd
love to move right over to that
gorgeous place of yours. But
Fleur, don't worry. We'd be de-
lighted to have him stay here.
After all, it seems senseless for
him to go back to town Sunday
when he would enjoy another day
outdoors and have one of your eX-
citing parties for the grand climax
Because I'm-out Of things" (she
had an impulse to add politely:
Perhaps you heard of the death
of my cousin?' but restrained it,
doesn't mean Mr. DeVoss can't
simply stay at the house and do as
he pleases on his own"
The Slight cloud on Fleur's I'M
lined forehead cleared instantly
away. Her desires usually arranged
themselves thus expeditiously.
That's too nice of you, Linda
Sure it won't be any trouble? They
must be waiting for me" she went
on hastily, perhaps fearing lest her
question be taken literally. Il must
go back.
He plays a marvellous game OF
contract, Linda. Too bad you can't
take a hand for while. Mr.. Pratt
plays very we'll, too" she added
| magnanlmOuSIy.
Then she turned with studied
grace-in which Linda detected a
shade of eagerness-to meet a fig
ure just emerging from the inner
room.
It was De Vos, and in his beauti-
fully tailored yet informal tropical
pongee he had more than a little
of the distinction which had been
so striking on the previous more
formal evenings. His Slight, cour-
teous bow included both of them.
cat your convenience, Miss
Stoner," he said. you will not
join us, Mrs. Averill? I should be
delighted to yield my place in your
favor"
MYTH a hasty inner comment
w on his partners probable re-
action to the idea, Linda refused
politely. But so tired was she that
until she saw that Fleur still lin
gered and caught the flicker OF
impatience in the narrowed ey@
she did not realize her opportun-
ity.
"Oh, Mr.. DeVos!" she ex-
claimed, MY husband and I have
been talking over the plans for
tomorrow. You know that the
medical examiner has met with an
accident and can't come.
I'VE thought that since you have
had to stay this long it might be as
comfortable for you to remain an
other day-especially in view OF
the heat"
And especially" cut in F'leur
and Linda yielded the floor with
a little sigh of relief. Tom, slow
| ly emerging through the swinging
door With a tray on which glasses
tinkled invitingly, caught the enc
of Fleur's invitation.
He stopped and Linda, again raj
lying her brightest smile, drew him
into the conversation.
Mr.. DeVos will be with us to-
morrow, I hope, Tom" she said
Fleur's going to introduce him
in the evening to some Of our just
" famous Long Island roadhouseS
and we're persuading him to stay
over"
"Fine!" Tom took his cue
promptly. He can have dip in
the morning and perhaps Pratt
will stay, too, and give him some
tennis, even if you and can't play
as we'd planned.
We reserved the Country Club
courts in advance-they are SC
crowded over the holiday week
end" he explained to the Belgian
1T seems a shame to waste them
DELIBERATELY he walked along
IL beside the two returning play
ers and Linda saw that he meant
the conversation to continue into
the drawing room, where Marvin
could be neatly included in it.
He could manage this better than
she, in her present frame of mind,
so she dropped behind them and
made a pretense of arranging the
magazines on the central table.
She heard several voices, Marvin's
deep booming heartiness among
them. Then the bidding started
with renewed zest and in a moment
her husband rejoined her.
pratt fell for it," he whispered.
That worked marvelouSly! Evident
\ ly tennis is his meat.
Nov listen. Binks. You speak to
them a moment and then III go
upstairs with you and we can talk
for a little while. Then when l
come down you must lock the door
behind me. If you're frightened for
any reaSon-or no reason-yell like
| hlazeS and keen ON yelling. But In