The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-12-10
CHAPTER FIFTEEN


NOW GO on WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
THE lake was turquoise blue
i beautiful and cold, even with
the sun pouring warmly down upon
It. Ann plunged in and, after the
first shock, felt eXhilarated. She
struck out with easy, graceful
strokes.
Peter, discovering that AIMS door
was open, called in, AS soon as
you're dressed. breakfast will be
ready"
There was no answer.
Ami"
Still no answer. A quick survey
revealed that Ann was nowhere
around. Fear gripped Peter. He
was off toward the lake on run.
Halfway, he saw her white cap,
like a dot on the blue water. He re-
turned to the house, got into his
suit and raced back to the pier.
Ann saw him swimming toward
her, the long, powerful strokes
bringing him rapidly near her. She
smiled.
Its time you got out of this cold
water" Peter said.
You said we would swim on mild
days"
We'll, you can't spend the whole
day in the lake even on mild winter
days." Peter retorted. I'll race you
in, and give you a good handicap"
Peter caught up and they were
swimming along side by side for a
while.
He had deliberately slowed after
the first burst OF speed to prevent
her from being too disgracefully
outdistanced. They pulled up on
the pier and sat in the sun, survey
ing each other.
Nice stroke you have, Ann"
What about your own?"
The exercise had brought high
color to AIMS cheeks. There was
light in her eyes. She thought
Peter looked splendid, with his
brown hair tousled, his gray eyes
smiling a little, drops of water on
his strong, tanned arms and legs.
This handsome stranger-he was
beginning to seem less strange all
the time-waS her husband.
Breakfast was ready when ]
came OUT Peter said.
The inner man must be salts
fed" Ann Knocked.
why didn't you call me?" Peter
asked as they walked toward the
house.
Il thought you were asleep"
He scoffed. Asleep! I've been
up for hours, using all my per-
suasive powers to keep Lena from
Gathering dishes and Juan from
reporting his discovery to the
world at large"
What discovery"
"A bird nest. The kid is crazy
On the subject of BIRDS
Lets go See."
After breakfast"
Now"
mo-"
a mn got into her clothes, think
"A ing a little about Peters mas
terfulness. He had been teasing,
but she was sure there were depths
of steadfastness and determination
in him, not yet uncovered.
Did you sleep well last night?'
Peter asked, as he pulled out her
chair at the table.
Eyes. But I dreamed about ALI
gators"
His eyes leased. Great Scott!
Couldn't you find something better
to dream about?"
Ann did not reply, did not tell
him she had dreamed about him,
also-and Tony.
After breakfast, Peter proposed
going out on the lake again. He
had a motorboat and an aquaplane
Had she ever tried aquaplaning? No
well, then, he would teach her. It
really was great sport.
He showed her how to climb upon
the board. On her knees, and then
put up one foot and then the other
How to brace her feet firmly on the
rubber treads and to sway lightly
rhythmically with the motion of the
boat. Tenseness was fatal.
And presently Ann, balanced or
the board, was flying along behinG
the boat. Not too swift pace al
first, as Peter turned to watch hel
progress.
Ann looked like a picture, hi
thought. All in white, with the spray
from the boat splashing over her.
There were several spills. Their
Peter would turn the boat around
and the lesson would begin again
Ann was thrilled, unafraid.
Faster, Peter!"
All right then. He speeded the
boat up. 1t shot across the water
like brilliant orange streak.
And then, looking back, he saw
the board bobbing along without
Ann. And very far away it seemed
to him during that moment of sus.