The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-07-22
BARGAIN 4 RHDE
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against which she, too. was leaning.
He found it difficult 70 begin.
"Cigaret2" he asked.
No, thank you.
She watched his face as he held
a lighter with a wind guard 70 his
cigaret. Something had made him
rather nervous. she saw. Long lines
were pulled az the sides Of his lips,
which were stiff. yet uneasy.
How long can you stay?' ne
asked
AS long as you want me TO" ne
answered He snapped the lighter
shut: slipped it into pocket. She
felt that his eyebrows we're drawn
/ close although just then the moon
was kept from shedding light by q
I dense bank Of clouds
L want you TO stay as long as you
want 70" she said with GOODNESS Of
which she was proud. Il want from
YOU only what you can give-without
regret"
I shall regret giving YOU moth
ing, he said quickly. If you will re-
member our bargain.
What bargain. Barrett?'
we agreed, you remember. that
neither of us was 70 indulge in a
Irritation during this year
But Barrett. I never have" she
answered. Il couldn't I never did
before our marriage"
nor a few minutes he could not
trust himself to speak Did she
think him a complete fool? he asked
himself
"Eilnor. know you are very at
tractive. You must have had love
affairs" he managed to say at
length without betraying the deep
anger that shook him.
But I never appealed TO men.
Barrett. That's a brutal fact. I
don't like TO admit it; but it is the
fact"
older men?" Barrett questioned
slowly. I've heard they liked you2"
He was looking down at her, his
eyes narrow.
Yes she admitted. and smiled
To him her smile seemed cynically
and cruelty amused.
He drew deep, rasping breath
Barrett put his hands upon Elinor
arms to draw her close. His mo-
ton was rough, he knew afterward
Brutally rough.
"All older men," he confessed I'M
steadily, ARE not so old as they
seem 1t Is not fair-the thing you
do to us. can't help my feeling
for you even though I know what
you are-or aren't"
L don't" she began, but his
hot lips pressed against hers tc
stifle the sentence.
He held her away, laughing.
Again he swept her close. When
she at last struggled free he saggeo
back against the balustrade. breath
ing hard. She touched her bruised
lips with trembling fingers. She toe
was breathing hard and crying g
little
Il know you better than vol
think. you see. he stated. He had no.
seen her tears. Il happen to have
known of some of your affairs fol
some time. I'm sorry lost my head
, But don't pretend surprise anc
/ fright You see I wouldn't bt
! fooled"
CHE turned abruptly and, heac
- high. moved toward one of The
long French windows-an oblong
lemon square in the blackness. Hel
: knees were shaking, her heart
] pounding. She had learned love anc
hate and their possible blend
i Something made him follow her
2 In the living room he overlook he
= TO lay an arresting hand upon he
5 arm. She turned to him. head still
7 high BY Cod he whispered
staring down at her. They were rea
q tearS-real-
I DON'T Let me gor' she ap
q pealed voice breaking He followei
e her, humble and utterly shaken L
q watch her make her way up tn
t stairs
: After a long moment he followed
her. "Elinor-?S he whis
e pered
e Don't" she begged. Il can't
talk nowi"
!. ITO Be Continued