The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-03
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CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE Com
Barney was at the door then. II
seemed such a short time since her
call that he must have dropped out
of the sky. Barney. disheveled and
bare headed. My God, Joan. what
is it2 Has anything happened to
Pat?"
Pat" Joan repeated, weakly
why no Barney"
And then. as Barney sank weakly
in a chair hiding his face with his
hands. light flooded Joan's mind.
oh, Barney, dearl Why didn't
you tell me?"
He looked up, smiling little in
embarrassment There was relief
in his eyes. Lord. but you gave
me a turn I though that Pat
You and Pat in love-and not
telling me-" Joan murmured. She
sat down beside him. "Oh, Barney.
what you must have been through I!
And Pat tool"
Her words were broken off sud-
denly at the memory Of Pat sobbing
in the night Pats wan face as she
went doggedly. bravely through try
ing days.
Joan. what's happened?" Barney
asked. You mean you really don't
mind about us2'
Joan told him then about Bob.
Barney groaned. I get dumber
every day!" he said. Weston came
to me for your address tonight and
I wouldn't give it to him. You see,
Joan, 1 thought he was just a rich
rounder looking for another thrill. 3"
That explained it all. Bob for
some reason must have interpreted
Barney's refusal to mean that he
was in love with her.
III call him tomorrow and ex-
plain" Barney promised
No, he'll come back He was
just excited" Joan said. Loving
each other as they did, what could
possibly keep them apart? Now
that she and Bob both knew what
was in each others heart.
Are you sure?"
Sure" Joan said and meaning
1t. She had never been so happy.
You and Pat" She went back
to the subject engrossing him. L
can't see why you didn't tell me.
Didn't you know you were cheat
ing?" And then Joan had the grace
to blush. ..
Barney said, We were a pair. of
saps, I guess"
THE door opened and Pat, envel-
Il oped in a bright lounging robe.
stood regarding them What she
began, could you all be talking
about at this hour?'
About heaven, said Barney,
tenderly opening his arms. Pat,
without question and reading assur-
ance in his happy eyes. flew to him
and was gathered into his arms.
And angels, whispered Barney.
his lips against Pats bright hair.
Joan said. tears in her eyes. Bless
you, my children" She went on.
Barney, now that you've changed
brides just before your Wedding.
don't you think Pat should be get
ting her beauty sleep? In the five
seconds while I turn my back you
may tell her you love her"
As if 1 didn't know" came Pats
happy voice, muffled against Bar
ney's coat.
Joan went to her room and sat
down by the window again. The
lights which had seemed so cold
and hard a short while ago now
gloWed warmly, tWinkling gayly at
her. The radiance in her heart was
spreading, enveloping the world
Mrs. Robert Weston She whis-
, cred the words to herself. 1t had
been meant to be from the Begin
ming. All the pain had been so use
less. On a romantic impulse, Joan
went to her desk and wrote the
name. then caught the little white
square of paper against her heart.
Pat. coming into the room
quietly, switched on the light
Joan, I though you would be in
bed"
T couldn't sleep" Joan said soft
ly I'm too happy"
And mel" said Pat. her face
illumined. oh, Joan, I can't be-
heve I'm the one getting married
tomorrow
Joan was glad it was Pat who
was to be married tomorrow-to
Barney She was sure the same
time tomorrow would bring Bob
back TO her.