The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-04-20
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CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAP LII rum LEN
TRENE thought that kiss would
4 never end. 1t shook her like an
electric current. 1t left her feeling
ike the passenger Barney had
knocked unconscious with blow on
the chin. Keeling and dizzy, she
was compelled to catch at his arm
to keep from falling.
For one fleeting instant she had
been swept off her feet not only
physically but emotiOnaliy. She had
never been kissed like that before.
Then as her blurred gaze slowly
cleared she saw that the pilot was
laughing at her.
There's nothing hard-hearted
about YOU" he declared trium-
phantly.
Irene tried to be angry and
failed. Not even to save her pride
could she assume the injured dig
nifty the occasion demanded.
You're terrible" she said, but
her voice sounded unconvincing."
And you're sweet"
He put one arm in comradely
fashion about her waist and kissed
her again lightly upon the cheek.
so now that that's settled we
shall proceed back to the station"
His manner was as casual as if
nothing had happened, so that it
would have seemed silly to have
made an issue of it. But what If
he told the rest of the pilots that
he had won where Tom MERIT had
failed?
This idea made her say, resent
fully, L suppose your friends are
all betting On the outcome"
IF they are it won't do them
any good" he asserted, cheerfully.
I'm not the kind to kiss and tell
if that's what you mean. My in
veStigation was purely for my own
satisfaction. To prove to my
self d. "
You needn't go on" she inter
rupted Il can understand your
reasons perfectly"
He looked at her then, and
whistled.
Gosh, but you're independent.
But that's o. K. with me, too. You
never saw an Irishman yet who
objected to a girls having spirit.
BY this time, they had reached
the station where Irene hurried
inside to change into her own
clothes. The pilot made no further
effort to talk to her and at 4:30
her plane was speeding north leav-
ing Barney in Los Angeles.
She told herself he was the cool
est, most insolent person she had
ever seen, but there had been moth
ing cool or insolent about his kiss.
It had been sweet and tender and
so exciting that it made her heart
race even to think of it.
Well, then. she wouldn't think
of it. Nor Of him. From now on
it would be a closed incident.
THEY arrived in san Francisco
l. promptly at $50 and a little
later Irene was in her ramshackle
car hurrying toward her apartment
to dress for an engagement with
Stephen.
He had promised to take her to
the Palace but she had no idea
that any one else was going until
they were on their way to the city.
Bart decided he'd like to take
a night off, too" Steven said, add
ing, He certainly needs it. He
looks all in"
There was no reason, of course,
why DR.. Bartlett RalSton shouldn't
take a night off. but after her re-
fUsal the day before, Irene suspect
ed him of deliberately planning it.
If he couldn't see her one way, then
he would another.
Bart was persistent. That was
one of the things she admired about
him. This way, however, none Of
the responsibility was on her. If he
was determined to break in on her
date with Stephen there was Moth
ing she could do about it. The sit
uation was out Of her hands and she
was rather surprised to realize that
her feeling was more that of curl
osity than of pleasure.
Bart had been intrigued by her
refusal to see him. What children
men we're! Always reaching for the
one thing they couldn't have.
The other couple was waiting
for them at the hotel and Peggy
looked prettier than usual in a
smart navy blue frock with a hat
to match. Irene was wearing the
same black taffeta she had worn
the night Bart had broken their
engagement. 1t was the first time
she had worn it since. Subcon-
Sciously she had associated it with
her unhappiness, but tonight, for
no reason that she could explain.
she had felt a desire to wear it.
And with it new black and white
hat which flared back from her
face making the entire costume
more daring.
BartS dark eyes approved dress.
hat. and girl as definitely as if he
had spoken. That glance of his was
like a kiss. 1t was the old familiar
look he used to beStow upon her in
hospital days. but she did not re-
Spond TO it as she had then.
Smiling politely, she said, Hello.
Peggy dear! Good evening. Bart!"
and gave her attention to Stephen.
He was so grateful for it. So
considerable and sweet that she
wondered why she didn't fall in
love with him. Stephen Reagan
would be everything most girls
want. He had money. position, in
telligence and a good disposition.
He also had a wholesome, enthu-
Siastic point Of view and a sense
Of humor. but, so far as Irene was
concerned, that was all. She was
fond OF him in much the same fash
ion that she was fond of her brother.
Sam.