The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-10-13

you!
TITS arms were about her sud-
i l. denly. He was lifting her face
to his. Joan, resisting flercely, said
If you kiss me, III never forgive
you, jim"
"You don't think I'd lose this OPP
portunity2" He was laughing.
II liked you" Joan said steadily
You Seemed decent and under
standing. I thought you were the
best friend I had there"
His arms dropped. Well, have II
your way, then. If I were just q
little drunken, wouldn't listen tc
you"
He started the car, and Joan re-
laXed in her seat. The engine began
jerking. Jim pulled out the choker
and damned it in again. The car
moved along a few feet jerkily, then
came to a standstill.
mo gas, Joan,," Jim said slowly
There's nothing to do but walk TO
the store and get some"
I'll go with you" she said. They
walked along in silence until they
reached the curve in the road.
He'll" said Jim. The lights are
out in the store He turned and
looked at her, at the frail white
slippers she wore and groaned.
I'm all kinds of an idiot! Wei
have to walk"
How far is it?" asked Joan.
Nearly three miles"
Lets start She spoke bravely
steadily. But she was thinking
miserably. This is what comes OF
jealousy. I'm paying the piper"
Where's that good-looking Joan
grip" Fred sang out.
With Jim on the porch probably
Not on the porch" said Bar
bara. They drove off in Jim's car
an hour ago"
Probably went to the store fol
cigarets. I know those old tricks OF
Jims," said Carol easily.
"Or a coca-cola," suggested Char
lie Ross with laugh.
COR an aspirin" some one else
offered cynicallly. Jim probably
needed one. He certainly didn't
need any more liquid refreshments
Rage burned in Bob's heart. To
think Of Joan going off with that
jug-head, letting herself in for a
lot of gossip and internal specula
ton!
LIE went out on the porch, star
l. L ing down the black stretch of
road toward the neighborhood
store. He looked at his watch. 1t
was l o'clock A half hour later
he looked at his watch again.
Some Of the others came out on
the porch. Il can't imagine what
has happened to them" Carol was
saying.
I'VE are being very silly" said
Barbara. "Nothing's happened"
They'll be coming in presently
Enid said.
They always do" said Charlie in
his tired, wise voice.
There were steps on the drive
"a white blur in the darkness. And
then, as the light from the porch
reached out, a dark shadow beside
the white.
Joan and jim!
They came up on the porch
The gay girl of two hours before
had vanished. Joan's hair, blown
by the long walk in the wind, was
in disorder. There were deep
weary shadows under her eyes. HeI
shoulders, under the mans coat
sagged forlornly.
Jim's face showed again, too. His
hair was rumpled. His eyes were
bright and feverish. Searching the
faces on the porch, he said con-
temptuously, "A royal reception
Don't say you were really alarmed
about u.s."
THE gas ran out" he added slow
ly. And then, as one one spoke
Nov, some darn fool taught"
But evidently your liquor didn't.
This from Charlie.
Comedy isn't your role" jim
said.
Nobody but a damn idiot would
drive off without enough gas in his
car" said Bob.
Lay off, will you, Weston?' sale
Jim dangerously.
Bob stepped forward, but Barbara
caught his arm. please, Bob, yoU
are making it hard for Carol
Come on in" said Enid, striving
for gayety. Il have a dance with
some one"
Joan slipped out of the big coat
and handed it to Jim. I'm going
up" said said. Good night"
She went inside and up the stairs
slowly. AS she reached the top she
heard Carols voice:
II shouldn't have invited her
Barbara warned me. Blood vii
tell, you know. What could you ex-
pect from girl whose father wa!
a thief and a Suicide?"
Joan put out one hand steady
ing herself against the railing. Wave
upon wave of humiliation and shame
poured through her. Shame mos
of all for herself. She had brough
this upon herself, trying to be lik'
the others. seeking cheap popular
ity. Trying to win Bob-when hi
wanted Barbara!
AS she entered the room The
group moved apart quickly. Caro-
said stiffly. You must be tired. L
there anything I can do for you?'
Nothing" said Joan steadily.
Hurry" Sally said to Enid
Don't dawdle so. We're wasting
heavenly waltz" Enid dustec
powder on her face and followed
without a word.
They know I heard" Joar
thought. But it really makes NJ
difference to them"
Joan began undressing mechan
y ically. Once, passing the mir
ror door. she saw strange girl Will
tragic eyes, all the blood drained
from her face. She felt tear,
against her lashes.
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