The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-01-15
CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

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CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
"T CAN'T help it," said Mary
i Frances. My family would
never in the world think Of let
ting me-"
Your family2 Cripesl" said
Earl. Say, listen, hon. I'd be the
last man on earth to influence any
girl let alone you, against her
parents wishes or anything-see?
But you amt got a happy home
life nor anything.
And you're crazy about me; and
I'm crazy about you-see? Now,
look at it from that point of view
And leave me tell you this: A
girl with your looks and shape
could sure go far-travel, see the
world"
And come home" dreamed Mary
Frances, and be rich and famous,
and bring presents to everybody
and all would be forgiven, and"
Well, yeah, sure. Now, after I
got that letter from Butt yesterday,
/ got to thinking-see? I got 10
take his bus back-see?
We'll, what I was thinking was.
why couldn't you and 1 just skip
out, most any night now, in the
bus together. No parting, nor keep
ing in touch through letters, like
you said"
Il didn't say keeping in touch
khrough letters"
We'll, whatever 1t was. Wed
be in Denver in side Of a week,
and"
"Elope2" stamme cred Mary
Frances. She had, of course,
planned for six bridesmaids, and
ETinintrude as maid of honor. But
an elopementl Real romance!
Have you heard about Mary
Frances Fenwick and that hand
some, famous actor? 1t is"
"Well-er-hon-I've been mean
Ing for quite a while 10 tell you
about that. AS a matter Of fact,
I'm not fixed TO get married for
about four months yet-see?
by the terms of my fathers
will I can't get married until I'm
20 years old-see?"
Whether or not Mary Frances
saw, she did not Immediately saw,
end no wonder. Here was material
for thought. She might have
paused to doubt that Earl's father
had ever made such a silly will
fathers rarely do so.
She might have been considering
Earls age in connection with the
possibility, at least, that he had
been married and divorced and
could not remarry before year had
elapsed.
Or, granting her trustfulneSS, or
credulity, or both, and without ac-
cusing her of cupidity, she might
have been specializing as to the
extent of the fortune to which Earl
was so soon to fall heir.
Her answer finally spoken, may
or may not be indicated of the
thought processes that contrived it.
WE could be engaged" she said
w and you could go on to
Denver, and 1 could go to the girls
camp, like I'd planned.
1T is going to be better than ever
this year, and Mr.. Hill is going to
arrange so that Ermintrude and I
can have ponies to ride and every
thing; and I've got my knicker suit
already, and there's going to be
swimming tournament and Cissy
said could borrow her swimming
suit, 1t is so much prettier than
mine.
WED have a secret engagement.
and we could write letters, and Id
dedicate long hours to go off in the
woods and think about you. If the
girls thought it was queer or any
thing. ETmintrude could kind of tell
them-just hint, you know-that
had beautiful though kind of sor-
rowful secret. we'd be faithful all
through the years and"
"Cripesl" he interpoSed, Whats
NE use OF all the agony? I'm not
much hand at writing letters. Never
&aS.
Mother thing, you're overlooking