The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-07-08
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT


N not 20 to England at once,
after all. When she was we'll enough
Michael took Katharine back to
Silencia where Miss Daisy and Miss
Roxsnna and Miss Vincent and
wheezv Mrs HOughton fused over
her. She was still definitely the in
valid The doctor made her stay in
bed part Of every day and Michael,
who had another cell-hke room
cross the hall. would carry her out
into the beartening sunshine.
He was still unable quite to be-
lieve that this delicate, golden
haired girl was really his wife He
had nearly lost her-and all along
the way their path had been
tangled with briars. It was difficult
to believe that everything could be
Strengthened out at last
One day about a week after their
return to SilenCia Michael had been
out riding on one of the fine Arab
horses the Millards had left. He
came into his room, almost blinded
by the glare Of the patti, and found
the interior dark and cool. But after
his vision had cleared a trifle he
saw Katharine sitting in his one
deep chair. Katharine. dressed in a
green linen frock with delicate
handWork on it. She looked older,
more poised and mature.
Darling You're really feeling
better?'
He raised his hand to her lips. He
felt, reverenHally, that he was
literally unworthy of her. Here he
stood, strong ana crude in his riding
things, reeking Of horses and the
out of doors, and here was this
girl, a very fairy princess of ele-
gance and fragrance, condescending
to him
Some of this he said, haltingly
and slowly. When he looked up, to
his amazement he saw she was
laughing at him.
WAS it true then-this thing he
w had long Suspected-that the
girl had regarded her impulsive
bargain with him. that she was
certain she did not love him? His
heart stood still.
Michael. you great fool" Her
melodious voice pronounced the
words lingeringly.
Don't you love me any morc?"
You know I dol" he stam-
mered. His eyes devoured her.
We'll then, why don't you take
me in your arms? You behave
as though 7 were made of glass.
I'm your wife.
I thought you were ILL.," he be-
gan. But she was in his arms
that very moment; she was half
laughing, half-crying against his
stalwart shoulder.
It's a great scandal, really,
when a girl has to WOO her man
in this shameless fashion" Michael
stopped her mockery in the only
possible way-with a kiss
They sat side by side at the long
dark dinner table that night and
held hands shamelessly. after the
fashion of lovers. Afterward they
walked in the moonlight for a little.
Michael. coming to find her later.
discovered her at her window.
dreaming against the easement.
Did you ever see anything so
lovely?" The gnarled tree in the
courtyard made 2 stark shadow on
the flags. There was an indeflnable
scent in the room.
What sort of perfume is that"
He crushed her to him this creature
of light and air and understandable
sweetness.
II can't remember" she said
vaguely
IT'S very nice he told her in
eloauently. Her fair hair was loos-
ened about her face; her breast rose
and fell under its covering of blond
lace.
There was silence after that long
mTmuring interval The stars shone
down or the desert and the soft
southern air moved the curtains
gently TO and fro. And Katharine
slept like 4 child. SoundlesSly and
bissfully against her lovers Shout
der
THREE weeks later they we're in
Il London. tC all eyes the usual,
gOOd-loOkiug young American cou-
pie i'm well-cut tWeeds: the girl with
fat pigskln bag punched under
ner arm: the man tall and possess
Slve in a pleasant way, Shouldering
his way through crowds and holding
her elbow gently when they crossed
the crowded thoroughfareS. Mr.,
Downrgg had been surprised to find
that the new Lord Garden had a
wife, and such pretty one. he told
his wife at tea that evening.
She doesn't talk like an Ameri-
can he said That is, I can un-
derstand every single word she
says" Mr. DoWnrigg had cleaned