The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-07-26
NOW GO on WITH The STORY
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

NOW GO On WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
/ TINE nurse has taken your tray
Il downstairs" Fragonet replied
He gripped the girls arm in a hand
\ that trembled. JOHN a fool to
try to talk TO you like this when
I you're Ill. But I'm trying to make
I you see how important it is. I
want YOU enough to give up every
thing"
He released her arm, seemed to
control his emotion with effort, and
then went on more quietly. you
must feel something toward me. Out
there on the lake that day you said
YOU didn't know for certain. Do
you know noW?"
10 felt trapped and helpless. She
/ realized that his advantage was I'M
fair, that even his simple question
was unfair-as long as there was a
Mrs. Fregonet. And yet she felt
drawn toward this man. not because
/ Of his place in a world Of women,
/ but rather because he was so like a
willful child. She sensed rather
than knew the tragedy of such a
life, a life made up Of so many easy
/ conquests that one barrier meant
almost madness.
No. he had no rights. none in the
| WOrld-but he was in love with her,
and he had risked his life for her.
Whatever else there was to consider
these things couldn't be discounted
now.
She looked half-fearfuly into his
dark eyes. summoning the courage
to begin Il like you. Peter .
but I don't want to say that I love
you. because II don't know" She
smiled. You see, I have to be
careful. I thought I was in love
once. not so very long ago. 1t
seemed the most important thing
in the world that I hold to a GER
tain one man, and marry him, and
live with him until 1 died. And
then one night-with just a few
words-eyerything was finished.
But I keep on living. and I don't
think about him very much now
And what I feel for you isn't less at
all what I felt for Bret Paul"
How do you know that was
| lOve?" Fragonet asked. you were
a girl then, and now you're a wom-
an. I've watched you grow into a
woman in the short time I've been
at Crest Lake. You're years older
now than you we're that day we
rode from the station in Marsh's
car. You can't be sure at all that
you loved this boy at the univer-
sity."
L know I can't, Peter. That's
true. And I may not know for a
long time"
Until you really fall in love,
perhaps?" Fragonet said.
Perhaps. She returned
his gaze steadily, but there was
something in her eyes which
begged him to leave her now, to
give her time to think things out.
He regained his feet uncertainty
and stood looking down at her.
10. if only you wouldn't be so
afraid" he said IF only you'd let
down your shield. I"
LIE broke off suddenly and
IL dropped to his knees beside
the bed, taking her in his arms.
"Peterl YOU"
But Fragonet's lips cut off her
words and he held her helpless in
his arms. Weak with fury, 10 held
I her clenched fists against his shoul-
ders, and as he released her she
| struck him across the mouth with
all the strength at her command.
She was about to speak when an
other voice bit like acid into the
silence of the room. It was Edna
Fragonet'S, and just beyond her 10
saw Mrs. Marsh!
"A very pretty performance. Miss
Darien," Edna Fronget was saying,
but it would have been more con-
| ylncing If you hadn't seen me first.
Poor 10 could only sag there
helplesly against the pillows, her
mouth foolishly open. Between her
anger at Fragonet and astonish-
ment at the sudden appearance of
his wife she could find no words al
all. But instantly Fragonet faced
the two women in the doorway.
Let's not have one of your scenes
Edna. I assure you I'm entirely to
to blame" He mana ged WY smile
and in that moment 10 saw the
Fragonet who was the actor. He was
acting now, just as she had seen
him dozens of times on the screen.
I've no intention of making a
scene" his wife answered coldly
Mrs. Marsh and I had intended
to pay sickroom visit. and we were
quite unaware that we'd be inter-
rupting."
Mrs. Marsh had glanced at Jo
only once, and now her manner
seemed to say that as far as she was
! concerned jeanne Darien did not
exist. Turning her back upon 10
she addressed Edna Fragonet in a
voice as cool as if it were COM
menting on the weather.
Please don't let this disturb YOU
Mrs. Fragonet. I'm sure that, like
most men, Peter is unduly chival-
rous. I haven't been tirely asleep