The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-07-27
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MARSH returned his gaze specu-
1V1 latively apparently you've
raised one devil of mess, Pete"
Apparently. I've a way of do
ing that. I do want to say I'm
mighty sorrow, Douglas. But the
real apologies should go to 10
Darien. My wife built fire under
the poor kid-and your mother add
ed some fuel Of her own. All my
fault, of course.
But that doesn't straighten it
out" Marsh said.
What do you mean?"
Il mean that you can't make these
things happen and then say you're
sorry, Pete There's more to it
than that I" Marsh hesitated, lit
another cigaret before he went on.
Il feel more or less responsible for
10 Darien you know She didn't
want to come down here in the first
place, but I saw she was in a
tough spot and I thought it would
be good thing all around"
Fragonet was silent a moment.
Then: IF you're warning me to
keep off in the future, I'm afraid
you've the wrong slant on this whole
thing, Doug. I'm serious. I'm di-
vorcing Edna-or she's divorcing
met doesn't matter which, really"
The actor turned suddenly to
Marsh. I'm really in love with 10.
I want to marry her"
"I see j." replied Marsh slow
ly. And what does 10 think?"
She hasn't had time to think.
She-she doesn't know whether she
loves me or not, and"
Marsh interrupted him with a
tight laugh.
"A bit tough on Edna, isn't it?"
asked Marsh.
why is it?" Fragonet burst out.
She doesn't love me. For years
she's been like IA cold shadow,
just following me, watching me.
She's not jealous because she loves
me, but because she doesn't want
anybody to have even a part of
Fragonet, the picture star. It's not
because she loves me that she
doesn't want me to have other
women-it's just because she
couldn't stand to have them saying
that she didn't own me altogether"
The actor paused, looked sidewiSe
at Marsh. so you see, it isn't really
10 who's causing a split-up between
Edna and me. That's been in the
cards for a long time, Doug. But
if I hadn't fallen in love with 10
might have let it run on indefinite
ly. After all, a divorce is bad
publicity for a movie star now
adays."
MARSH did not reply for long
1VA time. Finally he took a step
closer to Fragonet and gazed
straight into his eyes. Look here,
Pete I'd like you to be awful
ly sure that you feel straight about
10. We've been friends long enough
so that 1 can say what I think,
haven't we?"
Fragonet smiled. 81 hope So"
90 Darien's about 10, Pete .
and you'll never see 40 again. In
pictures you're 28-but that doesn't
hide the fact that you're more than
20 years older than 10. A lot of
waters gone under your bridge, Pete
and this girl has a lot before her
yet" Marsh's tone changed sudden
ly to a bitter seriousness. IF you
messed things up for her, Pete, I
think I could poison you without a
qualm."
Fragonet's half-amused, half
quizzical gaze changed into one of
establishment. Look here, I believe
you-are you in love with her?"
Don't be any more of an idiot
than you have to be-" said Douglas
Marsh shortly. Il feel responsible
for her here, that's all Today you
caused a row that can have all sorts
of implications-an besides that.
she tried to follow either you or
your wife and fell unconscious in
the hallway.
Good Lord" F'ragonet ex-
claimed. us that true?" He turned
toward the inn, but Marsh reached
forward and held his arm.
Don't you think you've caused
her enough trouble just now?"
We'll :"
MY suggestion is that you don't
see her again at all until she's able
to be up and around" Marsh said
Fragonet's eyes clouded with
doubt. with something akin to sus-
picion.
Does that go for you, too?" he
asked
Marsh laughed. but there was
little of the laughter reflected in his
eyes. "Of course" he answered.
I'm quite sure that Miss Conley
can give her all the care she
needsl"
Ito BE Continued