The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-07-24

with us from the first" The words
ended a trifie brokenly.
LIE dropped TO chair that was
Il close to her and leaned for
ward her. arms on knees. Il have
always loved YOU" he said slowly
and graveiy.
Then It hasn't made you kind r
she answered hotly. I'm sorry. but
for the first time since I've known
YOU. 7 doubt you. II you had loved
me. things wouldn't have happened
the way they did last night. The
way wou kissed met wss as
though It was something you were
ashamed Of"
Her chin raised She turned
eyes made hostile by pride to meet
his gaze.
I don't want love like that.
don't want any one 10 love me and
be ashamed OF it," she stated. after
a stretch Of silence that became
more tense with each moment
I have hurt YOU badly" he said
half-aloud.
Yes from the first You've given
me no chance 10 be of any worth to
any one. I am one OF those weak
people who can't help being de-
pendent. When I know I've dis
pleased you. feel perfectly mis-
cradle.
I'm afraid to speak and quite
certain that I'll say or do the wrong
thing I'm never sure of myself.
I've always been aware Of my
shortcomings. They've been pointed
out TO me by many people. 1t isn't
kind or fair to take advantage of a
person who stumbles habitually-.'
"Elinor-." he began. but she cut
him short.
Before our marriage and since, ="
she said. there have been times
when you seemed to care a little for
me- And then you always drew
away again-as though you were
ashamed. 1 suppose you regretted
your lack of taste," She was breath
ing quickly and her face had flushed
He took her hand, held it be-
tween his tightly He saw the tears
IN her eyes. Perhaps, he reasoned.
il his attitude had been different
she would not have turned to Bob
Telfare.
L love you" he said. God knows.
Elinor that 1 speak the truth"
You think me to be capable of
flirting and trying to hide it, You
said last night that needn't pre-
tend to be surprised"
CHE tried to look the scorn. for
~ this she felt. She failed. Her
lips trembled and she turned from
him. crying.
But, child" he said brokenlv.
"Oh, don't!' she begged. IN be-
gin TO think it will last again. I'll
start being happy. and then to-
morrow or the next day you'll
scarcely speak to mel"
You care-2" he murmured.
amazed.
Yes. if it's any satisfaction TO
you. l do. And 1, too, am ashamed
of caring!"
She struggled up Barrett got to
his feet and put hand on her arm.
Please let me go. Barrett" she
begged.
Il will in a moment. dear. Elinor.
If I can make you happy for the
rest of the time we must spend to-
gether and if by the end of that
time you have gained some trust
in me. there is nothing in the world
that would make me so happy as
to help you to a life worth while
open. without evasion"
Il haven't forgotten she said.
wiping her eyes. what you did for
us all when you married me. but
it's been so hardl You don't know
how hard When I thought you
cared a little and then you
you"
He drew her into his arms and
held her close. She had not spoken
the truth, he was sure. She had
gone somewhere with Bob Telfare
that afternoon when he wanted to
tell her he loved her.
She was shaking from her sobs.
He felt his own eyes sting Stoop-
ing. he pressed his cheek against
her hair.
She drew away. Tomorrow" she
said. you'll scarcely speak to me!
know you'll changel"
mol" he contradicted sharply.
CHE smiled wanly and turned
- from him to hurry to the hall
and up the stairs.
Alone. he considered the situation.
She was pitiably dependent and
alone. He had not helped her. In
stead. he had hindered her. A lit
tie blindness to her faults, greater
appreciation of the good that was
herS-perhapS with a few years of
this her leaning to affairs" would
be leSsened and they could have a
decent sort of life together.
Bentwell Stafford did not leave
his bed that day. lone of the bad
days he painted to Barrett. who
wandered to his room TO visit him.
The nurse. Barrett noticed, kept
attentive fingers on his wrist. Eli
nor remained in her own room. The
rain fell slowly. dismally. A wire
came from Ida to announce that
she was coming.
Twilight settled early and the
night that followed was velvet
black. Miss Hemingway tele-
phoned for the physician who was
attending Bentwell Stafford.
AT dinner. the first meal Of the
day Elinor had eaten with Barrett.
the girl was distracted. worried by
her fathers condition and wilted by
the emotional tension that she had
known during the last twenty-four
hours.
Barrett. who could not forget her