The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-10-13
e Vow GO on WITH The STORY

CHAPTER THIRTEEN Continued
Joan was about to say, i don't
drink" but stopped. Across the
table, Barbara had touched Boo.s
glass with her own, saying Here's
to a good girl but not too good, for
the good die young and do hate a
dead one"
Barbara, my child. where did
YOU resurrect that ancient toastY'
Fred gibed. That was my grand
mothers favorite."
Il just happened to think OF 1t,
said Barbara.
Joan's thoughts were travelling a
new path. If had been more like
them he would have liked me bet
ter" she told herself.
She lifted her glass, smiling at
Jim.
Il thought you were a young
woman with ideas about life" he
said. What made you change your
mind2"
He added, when she did not
answer, ats sensible to let the stuff
alone"
AS Joan put down the goblet her
feeling of depression lifted. Later
she was even more hght-hearted,
laughing a great deal.
1t was this young, clear laughter
that caused Bob to frown down at
his plate. People were smiling at
this too-gay Joan. What was the
Affvo OF
ton so boldly!
Dinner was over, and Joan rose
from the table. She stumbled
slightly and stopped to untangle a
fold of her dress from the chair
Jim put a steadying hand on her
arm.
Bob heard Charlie saying to
Sally, Our little friend hasn't
learned how to hold her liquor"
A colored orchestra in the alcove
under the stairs began playing.
Joan, swept from the arms Of one
man to another, felt as if she were
in different world.
Fred was cutting in frequently
Charlie was bringing up new men
and introducing them. Jim seemed
always just at her elbow. She felt
gayer than she had ever been in her
life, yet paradoxically, there was a
tightnesS about her heart, a pain
somewhere.
All I needed was to be like the
Others" she thought. But the
thought did not bring happiness.
Only that tight feeling again about
her heart.
DOE, standing with the stag line
ID against the wall, was trying
to keep his eyes away from the
slender figure in white, the long
skirt Swirling about as she danced.
He had never seen Joan looking
1ovelier, more vivid, more shining.
1t was as though all the light in
the room was concentrated on the
slim form.
He would cut in the next time
she danced past and he would tell
her exactly what he thought of her
strange behavior. Then voice
spoke behind him.
The little girl from Memphis
seems to be waking up. Guess it
takes old jim
Bob did not hear the rest of the
sentence. He had walked away from
the group. Joan floated by and ne
met her eyes, nodding coldly.
He had the next dance with Bar
bara. She welcomed him with ra-
diant smile, pressed his hand, and
whispered, Bob, have a raging
headache. Will you sit out the next
dance with me?"
Some one claimed her, and he
stood back again, watching joan
This new, strange Joan, having a
whirl. Her dark eyes shining reck-
!leSsly, her lips too scarlet. Held toe
Elosely in Jim Warheld'S arms.
He cut in, crushing her against
INm savagely. Joan felt his arms
tighten violently, poSsessively around
her, and responded with lift OF
the spirit. a surge Of happiness.
Their steps fell together rhyth-
mically. Her head was close against
his shoulder. But when she glanced
up at him his face was set and cold
He doesn't like me any more, -
she thought. The happy mood
slipped from her. replaced by one
OF dull misery.
a ~ WrNrY