The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-08-26
CHAPTER FOPTY-THREE

j sight Of Edna Fragonet. anc
instantly the thought crossed hel
mind that Fragonet himself woulc
unwittingly appear at any moment
now.
please don't look so astonished
Miss Darien." Edna Fragonet said
her voice heavy with sarcasm
Surely you must have expected
10 see me some time during your
stay in Hollywood.
I'm afraid I didn't" 10 hoped
her words we're steady. But now
that you're here /. won't you sit
down."
Thank you. no I'll be only a
moment. Miss Darien. I want you
to know I don't intend to give Fra
Comet up"
I had no idea that you did, Mrs
Fragonet."
Then what's your game?" asked
the older woman. What did you
expect TO gain by flying to Holly
wood with him, by bounding him
Just a moment, Mrs. Fragonet!
10 interrupted quietly. III answer
your questions-and III answer
them truthfully.' Her voice was
steady now. she knew, and it was
steel-edged with pride and hatred
My game in Hollywood is simply
to earn an honest living. My rea-
son for coming in your husbands
plane was to save the fare. sup
pose. And because he invited me
AS for bounding Peter Fragonet, I'd
be eternally grateful if you'd take
him to Europe and keep him
therei"
Edna Fragonets expression did
not change. Suppose" she asked
that Peter and I stay in Holly
wood-where We belong-and you
leave?"
III leave Hollywood when I'm
ready. Mrs. Fragonet, and l don't
believe you or any one else can
make me leave until then"
FraqOnet's wife was silent NOM
ent. Then she advanced toward 10
her fists clenched and her eyes pin
points of anger. I wouldn't be too
sure of that. if I were you. Would
it interest you to know that after
tomorrow YOU won't have job?'
Watching the effect of this ques-
ton. the woman relaxed. smiling
And jobs are hard to find here. ]
think you'll decide you'd better GO
home"
A T first 10 could hardly believe
"A what she had heard; but as
she gazed at the cold. venomous
glance of the other woman she
knew that Edna Fragonet would
attempt just what she had prom
ised.
What if Maisie refuses to fire
me?" 10 asked slowly
L hardly think she'll be able to
afford not to. Miss Darien. But if
she wants to be a fool, and you at
tempt to stay on here, I'll raise a
row that will be heard from here to
New York."
"But-but that wouldn't be fail
to Boleson, and it would ruin your
husband 10 protected.
The other nodded quickly. you
pretend not TO be interested in
FragOnet-but why do you wish tC
I be so sure his career isn't spoiled?'
10 was about to answer when she
heard the front door bell. and be-
fore she could move from the spot
she saw the landlady hurrying past
the door on the way to answer it
With frightened glance at Edna
Fragonet, 10 heard Peters booming
voice ask, Is Miss Darien al
home?"
He stopped dead still in the door
way; then, mastering himself as he
might for a scene before the cam
era. he came into the room anc
walked straight toward his wife.
What's all this, Edna? Making
trouble again?"
Her answer was cold and lifeless
but 10 sensed that there was hurt
/ in it, too. She sensed that Edna
/ FragOnet loved this man in hel
frigid. poSSeSSive way and that she
would fight senSelessly for him unit
she died.
Suppose you explain to me, Peter
You and Miss Darien here"
There's nothing to explain.
Fragonet asid quietly. You've beer
yelling divorce until my ears are
singing. And I want to marry 10.
/ His lips curled in a smile that frozt
JOS heart. Here was a Fragonet
she had never seen.
His wife turned swiftly to 10
+ You hear? You deny that"
Waltz it was almost a scream
that single word crowding from 10.
nerve-tightened throat. L hearc
/ it. I heard what he Said-but will
you hear what I'm going to Say?'
She faced them both, holding to g
chair. holding because she was weak
with anger now. II think you're
/ both fools. and I never want to see
/ you or hear your names again as
/ long as I live I've had nothing
but trouble since the day you came
( to Crest Lake
CHE turned on Fragonet. why
I - do you think that when you love
a woman it turns something on in.
side her. like-like an electric light
What makes you think that all yoJ
have to DO is say. I love you anc
wars to carry you. and I'll jump al
/ the chance? 1t must be because yol
always win in the pictures you make
or maybe it's because of all the fool.
ish letters You get, or what crazy
women say when they see you ir
public
"Jol" Frasonet raised a protesting
hand.
I'm not going to stop until I'm
finished. This is what I planned tc
say to YOU tonight. and I'm GLAD
your wife is here to hear me say il
q" 10 stopped. breathless. then
plunged on again. / did like you a,
firSt-but I never told YOU I loved