The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-09-28
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CHAPTER ONE

Funny how she could still
be reading the same magazine
so-well, so darned enthusi-
astically. He would have been
cheered if he had known that
the girl occupying the Pull
man two seats in front of him
was aware that he had passed
to and from the observation
car exactly two dozen times
since they left Washington
and that almost as many
times she had stifled the inn
pulse to follow.
1t was plain that the OBJ
servation car was interesting
to the young man and just as
plain that his interest was
short-lived, once he reached 1T.
Restless" Joan Waring
decided, land spoiled. Likes
his way and generally gets it.
If there were the slightest ex-
elise. he'd be starting some
thing right now"
She smiled into her magazine
lust as the occupant of Pullman "a
swung through the coach again
He noted the smile and checked 1t
up against her. Like silly stories. II
she didn't, why in heavens name
had she sat for two days with her
particularly pretty nose in a mag
azine and those particularly lovely
eyes upon it, refusing to meet his
eyes once in a while?
What could you Go in a case like
this? Evidently his education had
been neglected for it provided nc
ways of meeting such a situation
except the time-worn ones which
would, he felt, not work with this
type of girl.
He grinned as he thought OF the
old methods such as. I'm out OF
matches. Stupid of me, but if
YOU" That procedure had come
in after the old handkerchief plan
died Of old age and abuse.
Some of the fellows at school had
kept a regular supply of girls hand
kerchiefs which often paved the
vay to a number of interesting adj
ventures. The match idea probably
had been outmoded, too, while he
was grinding away at Boston Tech.
Anyway, it wouldn't work. Not with
this self-assured young woman who
was so outrageously lovely. devas-
tatingly different, and d%iStractingly
sweet with her gray-blue eyes,
straight little nose and her dark
hair.
DUT, with all the glamour, there
ID was something sensible and
genuine and matter-of-fact about
her. He could like this girl. He
knew it. Funny. how you coulo
know things like that.
Just what would happen. he Won
dered. if he should walk up TO mel
and say something like this-whlch.
bv the way, would be the exact
truth:
We'll be in Memphis soon a
CITY. 1 understand. of several thou
sand souls. 1 am afraid that when
o get off this train, Ill never see
Won again and I want to tremen-
douslv. So I am taking this eX-
traordinary way of meeting you. 1t
happens to be the first time I've
been such a darned idiot and
opened a conversation with a girl"
Maybe she would light a cigaret,
blow a smoke ring and say COM
panionably: Sit down and let's
talk it over"
But no-that would be Just the
thing she wouldn't do. She prob
ably would think he was trying TO
concoct one of those silly affairs
which had always disguised him.
His face grew red at the thought
and he settled into his seat more
comfortably, reaching for a maya
zine.
A T the end of the half hour he
N gave it up because he realized
that no one word was registering.
He was simply incoming over an I'M
approachable young woman who
looked as though she could be
friendly and understanding and yet
had maintained that consistent
aloofneSs throughout two trying,
yet strangely interesting days.
The porter had stopped and was
gathering up his bags. Coming into
Memphis. boss"
"On time. are we?"
"Yessuh, we're right on time"
Robert Weston reached for his
felt hat and %overcoat. swung his
scarf about his neck and moved to-
ward the entrance. He stopped
there suddenly as the girl behind
him came ear.
L beg your pardon"
Cheers. I had been a silly ruse,
blocking the way. Probably she sus-
pected-but it had worked.
= = q
TIE moved aside. Sorry" He
II said it abruptly, at loss to
seize opportunity now that it was
presented Is him. Others had
pressed into the narrow passage and
for a moment the girl was very
close to him.
He watched her later as she Sc
lected her bag from the miscellane-
Gus assortment outside. tipped the
porter and followed in the wake Of
the red cap. Having identified his
own luggage. he hurried after her.
his long strides bringing him close
again as she neared the gate.
I beg your pardon. Did you
drop your handkerchief"