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

Rz1raEY f2vmOnO @0,4 SERVICE

pense a blot of white on the water
It was there one minute and then
it disappeared.
Peter let the motor out to the
last notch, roaring across the water
toward the spot where ne had seen
the blot of white. It had appeared
again and Ann was swimming TO-
ward him weakly.
He hauled her over the side Of
the boat into his arms. Lord, Ann.
You frightened me-
i tell of when you turned" Ann
explained when she had recovered
her breath. i went under before
knew it and swallowed a lot OF
water. thought I was sunk, Peter"
SO did T." ne said grlmly.
Ann felt strangely at peace, rest
ing there in his arms, the sun pour
ing down on her. She closed her
eyes.
Peter, looking down, saw her long
IaSheS curled against her vet cheeks.
A strand OF bright hair had escaped
from under the white cap and was
lying on her cheek-cloSe to her
young, sweet mouth. Peter brushed
the strand away. 1t was like an
electric Shock-the touch OF his
hand on AIMS cool, smooth flesh.
HIS arms frightened violently about
her, drawing her closer.
u y
CHE opened her eyes and saw the
- muscles around Peters mouth
contract. And then Peter was pull
ing her up, almost roughly, to a sit
ting position. He spoke CURLY,
You're feeling all right now, aren't
you? Suppose we pull in?"
His face was red. Perhaps, Ann
thought, it was from being out in
the sun. He was giving all his at
tention to the motor, having for
gotten apparently that she might
have drowned back there when he
was tearing away from her.
Her sense of humor came to her
rescue. How absolutely silly. Did
she expect Peter to moon over her
like a love-Sick idiot?
He had rushed to her and pulled
her into the boat very efficiently.
He had beenv genuinely frightened.
Yes, she had seen that in his eyes.
For a Moment" Ann said, Il
was simply scared to death. You
seemed a million miles away"
"A hundred yards or SO would
seem pretty far" Peter said, IF
you happened to be drowning"
But I wasn't drowning" Ann
said. st was swimming when you
got there"
Yes, I know" Peter said, with
out apparent interest.
Ann stopped talking. Still silent,
Peter tied up his boat. Ann walked
ahead, expecting him to overtake
her. She had reached the porch
when she turned and saw him
striding toward the house. All the
friendliness had vanished from his
manner. If he were going to be
moody, it would be lonely here.
Peter had tied the boat with swift,
savage fingers. Looking up, he saw
Ann walking slowly toward the
house.
He waited until she was near the
steps before starting up the path.
He told himself that he had acted
like a fool. No wonder AIMS eyes
had met his in amazement. No use
trying to excuse himself. Of course,
she was lovely. And she was his
wife. He had realized, looking down
at her, touching her wet cheek, that
she was his wife. He had known
that with his objective mind before.
But there in the boat-well, there
was no use in rehearsing it all
again.
Ann was probably disguised, real
izing he had gone off his head in
that boat.
After dinner, little chilled by
Peters manner, Ann suggested a
game of honeymoon bridge. And
then colored a little.
What in the world was the mat
ter with her, being self-conscious
like this?
Honeymoon bridge, tame at best,
proved anything but diverting to-
night with Peter answering in
monosyllables, making not the least
effort to be entertaining.
Blowing hot and cold. Well, let
him.
Companionable and kind one min
ute and cold and formal the next.
Ann frankly yawned.
I'm sleepy" she said.
"Wny don't you go to bed?"
That's where I am going" Ann
said. Then she decided that she had
sounded curt and rude-like Peter.
Good night, Peter" she amended
politely.
Good night"