The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-26
CHAPTER NINE

w ure rose early so that she
might finish the necessary work be-
fore she left. Ellen, delighted that
her daughter was to have day in
the country, had even made ar
rangements with a neighbor to sit
with her in the afternoon.
It'll be all right. Now, don't you
worry" Ellen assured her anxiously.
She liked what Treasure had told
her about the young Italian who
was being so attentive to her.
Although life had proved far from
kind to Ellen herself, she was still
capable of dreaming dreams about
her daughter. Some day some
wealthy young man would fall in
love with Treasure and take her
away from her sordid surroundings
to the happiness she deserved.
Ellen had known no romance her
self, but then she had not been
beautiful. She watched proudly as
the girl powdered her face and
combed her shining hair.
What are you going to wear,
Honey?"
The sweater and skirt wore to
school. They're fresh clean" Ellen
looked disappointed.
Seems as if you'd ought to doll
up more to go out with such a swell
young man"
Treasure laughed.
Not to walk in Muir Woods,
Mama. Besides he's seen me dolled
up at the club"
Something told her it would
make no difference to Tony Mol
mari what she wore that day. And
she was right. His hungry eyes de-
voured her as she entered his car
and they drove away. 1t was cold
and foggy in the city but both hoped
the sun would be shining across the
bay. Absorbed in her companion,
Treasure did not see that her father
had come to the window to watch
them depart.
He had left the room when Tony
entered it, for which she was CRATE
full, because he might have caused
a scene. Might even have said she
couldn't go. Unconscious that his
suspicious eyes were following them
Treasure settled down into the seat
with happy little sigh.
Glad to be getting away for
awhile?" Tony asked.
He had no idea how glad she re-
piled, adding, 7 haven't been to
Muir Woods for two years"
She felt shy with him today. AS
II their conversation needed to
catch up with their kisses. So
many things she wanted to know
about him and wanted him to
know about her. But while under
standing and sympathetic he
seemed to have no curiosity about
her surroundings or background.
She told him of her mothers
illness but not about her fathers
desertion. She was too deeply
ashamed of it and of him to dis
cuss it unless it was necessary.
And Anthony, who seemed I'M
obServant of her reticence, rambled
on about himself. His mother was,
Treasure gathered, rather formid-
able person but good hearted
withal.
Mother let me have her car
again today. I can't have one of
my own until I'm 81" he explained.
Mother had also, it seemed, per-
mitted the Chinese cook to pre-
pare a lunch for them.
II told her a friend and I were
going to take hike in Muir woods
so she had Wong make sand
witches"
That will be lovely" she cried,
much impressed by his casual men,
ton of a servant.
But by the time they had crossed
to Sausalito all the feeling Of I'M
familiarity had gone.
THE sun was shining just as they
l. hoped and Treasure took off
the beret she wore and let the warm
wind blow across her hair. The
sense of adventure was strong in
her as the car tore down the high
way. Never in all her 13 years had
anything so delightful happened to
her.
They parked the car outside and
laughingly carried the lunch to
table where they ate as if famished.
All about them redwood trees, hun
dreds of years old. quivered and
Sifted filtered sunlight upon the
girls fair head. The spirit of the
woods seemed to lift benignant
hands to bless them. Not word