The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-05-01
CHAPTER NINE


CHAPTER NINE
GAMBIA pursed her lips, watch
~ ing her slim, cool reflection
in the glass and approving it. Her
frock was of white lace, deliber-
ately ingenious. Sandra was not
the ingenue-far from it-but occa-
sionally she chose the role.
Her soft, dark hair, worn just long
enough to make a series Of becom-
ing ringlets above her graceful nape,
was charmingly arranged. The
faintest trace of mauve outlined her
large eyes, and her lip rouge was
the color Of a June rose.
A horn sounded below stairs and
she snatched up brief wrap of
green silk and hurried out of the
room. On the stairs she passed a
maid in trimmest black.
III be late tonight, Hetty. Tel
father" Sandra directed
The servants small, dark eyes
flickered at her mistress for a mo-
ment with a hint of antagonism,
instantly quenched Her reply was
perfectly respectful. Very well,
Miss Sandra"
There was the rustic of soft dra-
peries, the hint of an elusive scent
on the stairs. A door slammed, and
gears slaShed noisily. A motor
purred away into the summer eve
ming.
Lilac and rose and blue stained
the western sky. The air was de-
lightful-warm. yet fresh-and as
the car slipped westward. the odors
of summer night in the country
drifted to the nostrils of the two
occupants of the car.
Nice" purred Sandra, slipping
her long, white hand, with its red
jewels of pointed nails, around her
escorts arm.
Dan Cardigan grinned down at
her.
Lady, you said it," That was
Dan The argot of the man in the
street served him for speech. In
spite of all his background and
training, Dan talked, Sandra re-
flected lightly, rather like roust-
about. She didn't mind. She liked
everything about him-his bigness,
his froWn, his masculinity. Liked?
Well, that was a mild word.
Who's going to be there? At
Charles place, I mean" she inquired
idly.
Dan shrugged. Dunno. Prob
ably the Waterman crowd"
"Oh, don't think so. I hope
not" protested Sandra. They're
awfully dull. Oh, Danny, if they
are, you'll have to take me away
early. I shall perish of boredom"
Wait and see" advised Dan.
Sandra Slumped luXuriously in the
roadster's low seat. After a moment
she demanded, Give me a cigaret,
Danny, like an angel"
WITHOUT removing his eyes
w from the road, Dan produced
a packet, lighted a cigaret, and
put it between the pouting lips of
5 the girl.
Sandra narrowed her eyes, squint-
through the smoke. Most men took
advantage of such tiny intervals to
snatch a kiss or two. 1t wasn't
it couldn't be-that Dan thought
her unattractive.
She abandoned that notion as
preposterouS. No, it must be some
quaint notion of chivalry he had.
Or-She caught her breath invol-
unfairly at the thought-perhapS
some fantastic idea of loyalty to
to some one else.
Absurd" she muttered to her
self.
What did you say, beautiful, +"
drawled the object of her thoughts.
She patted his coat sleeve pos
sessively. Nothing"
They drove on in silence for an
other minute. Then Sandra said
suddenly, confidentially, "Remem-
Der what We talked about yester-
day, DAMP"
A slow red burned under the
mans deep TAM and his voice
sounded embarrassed. Guess I
said too much. Didn't mean to rave
on so, but Mother burned me up at
lunch. I had to talk to some one"
II know. Danny dear" Sandra
was all gentle understanding. It's
difficult. It's terribly so. But
has it ever occurred to you that
perhaps your mothers right?"
Dan slowed down the car a little
turning to stare at her. About
Monnie, you mean? But I thought
but you said" He seemed be-
wildered.
Il know, Dan. I'm terribly fond
of Monnie. You know that. She's
had a difficult time. She works
hard. She's a splendid girl. We
all know it. But here's the point
are you two suited? Is it worth
all the-the fuss and fighting it's
sure to cause in your family?
Remember, Dan, your fathers
awfully proud of you He's expect
ing great things. You'll have a posi-
ton to maintain some day. Not
lust here, but in Cleveland-in New
York. You might be-why. Dan,
there's no reason at all why you
shouldn't do something really big!
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