The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-03-25
High Windows II:
BY HELEN ST. BERNARD
Register m syn

ing one leg over the other. May
I stay. Jessica?"
When the even breathing Of both
children indicated they were sleep
ing. lingo rose YEARLY to her feet
and he walked with her into the
hall.
I have missed you today, Jessica.
It helps just to know you are near,
even though you have avoided me
recently. Why?"
He was standing beside her,
towering over her. She could not
trust her voice. Her heart was
humping against her breast,
smothering her.
viii you walk on the beach with
me. Jessica? It is wonderful
night. I want to talk with you"
For a moment lingo was silent,
her lower lip caught between her
teeth her head turned from him.
Her heart beat wild tumult in
her breast.
"Jessica-"
She nodded, turned, and fol-
lowed him down the hall. The lake
and rolling lawns were silvered in
a magic carpet, and far across the
water a light winked internationally.
The soft splash of waves broke
against the sand and above in the
trees came the sleepy chirp Of the
birds.
"Jessica," he said softly. Il have
wanted to tell you something for a
long time. I wanted to tell you
before I went abroad, but DR.. Bob
said I must wait; that I must not
tell you-until was sure. was
sure then, but waited"
His hands we're on her shoulders
and he was gently turning her
about to face rim as they came
to a stop beneath widespreading
elm at the side of the lawn. She
drew in her breath sharply as she
looked up into the face so near her
own--Mr. Jocks face. Everything
else faded away-eXcept Mr.. Jock.
TITS arms we're drawing her
Il z closer and for a moment her
head rested against his shoulder,
his breath warm on her face as he
bent lower. She and Mr.. Jock-to-
gether in a moonlight flooded world.
Alone-just she and Mr. Jock. She
could feel his heart beating against
hers, and she closed her eyes, her
arms creeping up to his shoulders
Mr.. Jock" she whispered.
81 have known since the day
found you in the nursery with
Betsy in your arms. sweetheart"
She tried to whisper but the
words did not come. Her throat
was tight. But he was holding her
close, his face warm against her
cheek. Over his shoulder she
looked up into the lighted window
of her room on the second floor.
1t was warm, bright-a golden
square in the darkness.
And then suddenly-She remem-
bered. Behind that window today,
Vera Bailey had whispered, the
words swapping from her straight
lips:
mo meddlin'-this job is going
through"
She placed both hands on his
shoulders and pushed him away.
Please. oh please-you mustn't
you mustn't"
She turned from him and was
running over the moonlight sill
vered terraces which for a brief
moment-a moment filled with an
ecstasy she had never known-was
a mountain top, on which she and
Mr.. Jock had stood alone, breath
less
He must not" she sobbed. "He
must not say-that-to me-"
For a week the papers had men
toned the reception to be given by
Mrs. John Dey and her son, John
Dey, for the visiting French celeb
rity, Monsieur Chauvette, and his
wife, the former connected with the
French legation.
The Deys had been their guests
at their chateau in Pau during the
winter. The reception, the papers
said, was to be held at the lake
shore home and was heralded as
the outstanding event o. the sum-
mer social season.
The big house was in a turmoil
of preparation, caterers having
taken over the dining room and
kitchens; the splendid. big living
rooms. library and halls were be-
ing transformed into floral bowers.
lingo took the children to the
heach and in the shadow of the