The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-07-12
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
TOR an instant Cherry thought
L the words would not come. Hcl
hands, twisting together and bidder
by the table, were like ice.
She felt as though some terrible
chilling force had taken possession
Of her She could not speak. She
could not move, but sat there star
ing down at her plate.
over and over in her brain the
words pounded. "Dan-and that
woman! Here! Dan-and Brenda
/ Vail"
It was only a moment, but fol
Cherry that moment was lifetime
She raised her eyes then and some
how found her voice.
She said Imply, I'm afraid ]
can't stay for lunch, Max. A sud-
den headache get them SOME
times. II you'll call a cab for me
Pearson was all solicitude. If he
had noticed the couple so near tc
JHeH ne gave no sign.
He said few words to the waiter
helped Cherry into her coat and
then they we're outside on the street
A taXicab drew to the curb in
answer to Parsons signal Man
would have entered and driven
home with her, but Cherry shook
her head.
She sank far back against the
cushioned seat as the cab pulled
out into the street. Blessed relief
to be alone!
How the dreary afternoon passed
she could not have told. She
reached the apartment. climbed the
stairs. Huddled in a little heap on
the davenport she lay staring across
the room.
Cherry did not weep. She did not
even try to think. The ache in her
heart-the ache that twisted and
1ayed and tortured her-was like a
physical pain. 1t was SO new and SO
terrifying.
The gray kitten climbed to the
davenport, nestled beside Cherry and
waited for caresses that did not
come. Sunshine faded from the
patches Of sky outside the living
room window.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs
and then died away In the apart
ment overhead a radio orchestar
played a brassy torch song"
Inc Whole situation was apparent
now to Cherry. Oh, yes She had
oeen blind not to see it before. Dams
sudden coldness. His frequent alb
sences. How could she have failed
to understand what was happening?
THE shadows in the room grew
Il darker and outlines were los
in the gray light. Dan came at last
For an instant he stood silhouttec
against the hall light. Then HI
touched the wall switch and tn,
table lamp glowed warmly.
Dan said, Hello" and dropped
his topcoat into chair. He went
to the kitchen, filled tumbler with
water and drank it. Returning, he
looked at the girl curiously.
What's the matter?" he asked
Don't you feel well?"
Cherry raised her eyes. I'm al
right"
Phillips seemed satisfied. He be-
gan to whistle softly, sank into his
favorite chair and unfolded news
paper. There was silence that wa;
not broken until Cherry spoke.
Her voice sounded fiat and un-
natural. She said, Dan, waited
nearly an hour"
Waited? It's no later than the
time 1 usually get here"
Il mean at noon. At the library
Don't you remember we were tc
have lunch together?"
The young mans face was hid
den by the newspaper. Sorry" he
said, Il forgot. Couldn't have made
it anyhow, because I was tied UP
I'll q oOOl y lucy LC SllOI y COuplt
men again at the Office
SO he chose to lie about it! He
thought he could deceive her with
the usual excuses. Cherry sat up
Stiff1y, her hands clasped, fingers
pressing into the flesh.
Il saw you, DAM" she said.
The neWSDaDer drODned and Phil
lips regarded her curiously. What
are you talking about?"
L saw you-st the Wellington
You were having lunch there with
Brenda Vail"
"Oh, you did,"
Their eyes met like swords, pointed
and flashing. Cherry could not en-
dure it. She could not face the
anger and hostility that burned in
syiOus Puzzle 1eRelated.