The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-10-11
doz9ottem Meg1Aeozt
By kka RsnovD &G,,.r.9s ... s., ~-z~

plates were Delng passed ana re-
filed. The fire died down and
sprang into fame again as fresh
wood was piled on. The savory odor
of the barbecued meat was tempt
ing.
Always Joan would remember
Barbara and Bob, sitting together.
Barbara's caressing voice, her hand
on Bob's arm.
Somebody suggested old-fash-
Toned ghost stories. Everybody tried
to think of an old thriller.
Barbara called out once, I'm Just
one big shiverl Hold my hand.
I'm frightened to death, darling!"
Need an excuse, Barbara"
drawled jim.
mo, of course not" Barbara
slipped her hand frankly into
Bobs. Joan saw his hand close over
Barbara's, just as he had clasped
her own. What a fool she had been,
fitting all the tender, thoughtful
things he did into a romantic pat
tern for herself!"
And then some one said it was
l o'clock, time to begin the drive
back.
Joan thought that was something
to be thankful for 1t would have
been unbearable to go inside the
house and dance, to dance with
Bob, trying to reach him through
this wall of constraint growing up
between them.
BARBARA, slumped down in the
~ roadster, her head companion
ably close to Bobs shoulder, was
talking animatedly.
"I do love house parties, don't
you, Bob? They are so informal
You get to know what people are
really like"
What are you talking about?"
Bob asked. He had an idea that
Barbara was driving at something
and he was suddenly unaccountably
irritated with her.
Barbara answered easily, About
jim"
oh" said Bob, relieved and
little ashamed of his suspicious.
When you first meet Jim he ap-
pears such a cynic, without much
interest in anybody or anything.
But he's really capable of a grand
passion. ANYBODY with ewes can
see that"
you mean JOAN" said Bob
harshly.
Eyes" said Barbara. Haven't
you noticed?" Then, as he did not
reply, she said gently; don't think
me a cat, Bob, but I hate to see
some one I care about being made
to look a fool"
What rubbish" Bob said hotly
1T isn't, Bob. What would you
think if you knew the very first
afternoon-while we were riding
she and Jim were sitting off in the
garden? You can imagine how sur
prised I was when Carol told me.
L thought she was really tired"
Bob drove silently, but Barbara
could see the stern set of his mouth
and chin. She smiled, satisfied.
After a while she sighed.
"Of course I knew, Bob. that r
ran terrible risk in telling YOU.
but I simply couldn't bear seeing
you so gone on her. Girls know
things, and the first time I laid ewes
on Joan I knew she was the tyne
who wouldn't f1irt openly, but was
not nearly as naive as you thought
she was. oh, Bob, do you hate
me?"
OF course not" Bob said roughly
But you're wrong about Joan. She's
not that kind at all, Barbara. If
you think she and Jim Warf1eld
planned to stay there alone YOU
were never more mistaken in your
life. Why, they hadn't even met
until we got herel And besides
Joan isn't like that" His voice
rose.
"Oh, for goodness sake, don't get
so excited" Barbara said. Per
haps I was wrong about it. Forget
what said
=
IT WILL" Bob said. And knew he
- wouldn't.
Silence. Trees along the rural
highway flashing by in orderly Sc
quence and occasionally the dark
outline of a cottage Barbara moved
closer to Bob. Once she sighed.
Whats the matter?" Bob asked
kindly.
I'm afraid you're terribly angry
with me-"
Don't be an idiot, Barbara" he
added after a moment, But let's
get this straight. I won't discuss
Joan again with you or anybody.
It's sheer idiocy to think that
She" There he was, off again.
He stopped.
TO Be Continued