The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-09-29

But most afternoons and evenings
he could be found at the Waring
home. Dick was a staid senior
when Joan entered Central high,
but not too dignihed and important
TO carry her books again, to watch
her progress proudly and guard her
at football games from e-ncroaching
\ masculine glances. Throughout the
4 two years at Miss BarringtOn's il
had been the same. II would be
nice to see Dick again. Dear, de-
voted Dick But 1t would not be
especially exciting. There was moth
Ing really very exciting about Dick.
Joan stirred. stretched slim,
- strong arms over her head and
then bounded into a sitting posi-
ton. Gracious. It must be 7 O'Clock!
The next moment she was snug
Cling under the comfOrt. lliXuriously.
Easy to forget she wasn't at Hol-
brook Hall with an early morning
pupil to coach. Easy TO forget she
was at home. Tomorrow it would
seem less strange. perhaps. to be
away from all the excitement
the rush of things that we're some
how so ordered. and 10 be back
home settling into old grooves
again.
Everything was so exactly the
same here at home. The mahogany
desk stood in the same corner, less
orderly than It should be. with
Pats writing materials scattered
over it and stacks of old letters ex-
posed. The chifonier which Joan
and Pat had shared since they
were little children was outlined in
the half gloom. The square bulk
of the cedar chest was in its
familiar place under the window,
piled with bright cretOnne cushions
and some more frivolous one Of
lace and organdy.
In summer. the chest was filled
with winter articles, and in winter
1t held summer clothes. Always
when it was opened it gave out
a fresh, pungent scent of cedar
which was pleasant.
The rug had been old when she
left for HolbrOok Hall. 1t was three
years older now. More than once
she and Pat had studied its waning
possibilities as a floor covering and
moved furniture to hide worn
Nplaces
Joan was suddenly swept by re-
morse as she remembered how care
lessly she had accepted the luXu-
rious life at HOlbrOOk Hall, the
charming suite with its dainty bath
and shower that she had shared
with Ellen and Eileen Bronson, the
rich twins from Jersey City. Things
must have been hard here at home.
Everything was shabbier, or perhaps
1t was just because she had grown
accustomed to luxuries.
So exactly here. even the closet
door wide open with Pats clothes
revealed in colorful disorder. Many
of Pats dresses were hanging from
hooks. The old ones would be
hanging from hooks. How easily Pat
tired of her clothesl
Joan's things were still in her
wardrobe trunk. Perhaps she would
leave them there for a while. Non
sense. Imagine living in a trunk at
homel Almost as though she were
preparing to return to school. Al
most as though she had not come
home to stayl
The thought was SOLDERING. Well,
mind. Diplomas we're not the
most important things in the world
after all. What did people do with
them after all the bother2 Now
adays they weren't even framed
Just tied with ribbon and RELOCATED
10 the attic with the nondescript
collection of old furniture, old
clothes. old magazines. old toys. Up
in the attic where Pat had turned
somersaults so adventurouSly from
rafter when she was 10 and Joan
had come to grief and unconscious
ness trying to follow.
ATOBODY ever could follow Pats
~ pace. Even the boys respected
her abilities. lat had been Such
a funny kid, shaking her red silk
narasol in the face of the ugly-tem-
nered COW. and then scrambling
over the fence just in time TO escape
vicious horns. There was the time
pat came out from under the car
with axle grease smudged on her
nose after locating the trouble and
fixing it. while the big Brown boys
stood helplessly by. Now. drive it,
pat had said contemptuously.
Joan turned. studying the young
sleeper beside her. Pats rounded,
white arms were outside the cover.
How lovely she was with her long
Iashes against her cheeks and that
impudent. provocative tilt to her
slender nosel When her eyes
opened. they would be a clear, cool,
lovely blue.
pats blue eyes opened. We'll
cid gal. you are here. aren't you7
Glad to be back?" In the slightly
husky drswl that was so typically
Pat.
aTerribly glad TO be with you and
mother. Benny and Bill"
IF I didn't know you, Joan, I'd
! saw you're a cheerful liar, but you
Awoald be glad like Polyanna over
nothing" Pat was silent a moment.
"Jhan, can you tell me how we're
going to manage this winter and
next summer and next year? No
money, no credit!
Wei. you're working. And IL
have something soon"
Pat thought Of her job tipping in
the large hardware concern. we
can't go very far on SO a week
she said. oh. Joan. it's hard be-
ing so poorI DO YOU suppose We'll
ever be anybody"
Don't worry. I'll get something
yes. You'll get a half dozen kids
TO teach after calling on all the
mothers in Memphis. I got some
thing, too. after wearing out a halt