The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-06-14


with a friend of ours, Miss Vim
cent. Shed have chance to paint.
Evelyn Vincent is a splendid wom-
an-she thinks Katharine has tai
ent that should be encouraged"
She chose her words with the
greatest caution. Not for worlds
would she have him suspect the
secret that ate at Katharines very
soul.
He shook his head, obdurate
MY wife AMI l talked it over last
night. Mrs. Strykhurst is very
much opposed to it. Later we may
run over to Europe with her. She
can look in On the galleries"
Violet suppressed a shudder at
the thought of the unhappy girl
trailing the two SNUG, middle-aged
persons, wrapped in her own black
thoughts.
Il rather hoped you would say
yes"
His keen eyes raked her hand
some, expressive face. You con-
sidered this important enough to
come down town to see me about?"
She shrugged her shoulders. Il
was in the neighborhood just
thought I'd drop in"
Katharine is a difficult child"
Victor Strykhurst unused, putting
the tips of his beautifully mani
cured hands together and regard
ing them. She seems to have
made friends with you Her STEP
mother and I are sometimes baffled
by her :"
VIOLET felt almost an impulse of
V pity. Perhaps he wasn't as
SNUG and sure of himself as he
seemed. Perhaps there was a chink
in that selfish armor. She tried
another tack.
Il know you want to do what's
best for her." she began. 1--WE do
feel she might blossom out in a
different atmosphere. My husband
thinks she is very good. Have you
seen her flower sketches?"
BY the darkening of his face she
knew she had touched some raw
spot.
"She never speaks to us of her
ambitions" he said jealousy. Il
must confess I think it extremely
odd of her to conf1de in perfect
strangers" He smiled, as if termi-
mating the interview. I'm sorry,
but I'm afraid we must let the New
Mexican idea ride just now. She
must stay at home"
The memory of Katharine's de-
spairing voice steadied Violet and
strengthened her for what she had
to say.
VERY we'll, then. If you won't,
you won't. warn you, though, it
may be unpleasant -. :"
What do you mean?" He had
risen, as had she. They faced each
other across an expanSe Of gleam-
ing mahogany.
Il mean" said Violet easily,
that I've often been tempted to
tell your daughter about our asso-
citation. I've never quite got to the
point"
You wouldn't dare!" His eyes
flashed
"Ah, wouldn't ~" She snapped
open a petit-point compact and
looked at herself in its mirror.
You'd be fool then"
'Ah, dear Victor" cried the wom-
an, with the voice of a dove and
(she hoped the wisdom of the SER
pent, but didn't you tell me once 1
was just that? When I'd refused to
go away on a little trip with you? 1t
wouldn't have looked we'll in the
newspapers later, would it?"
CHE loathed herself for the words
- and the manner, but she kept
the memory of Katharine before
her.
81 don't know what you're talk
ing about"
Don't you?" said Violet slowly,
Really, don't you remember? Be
cause, if not, I have three letters
which might refresh your memory"
Sure of her, her youth and inno-
cence and admiration, he had writ
ten them to her that wild spring.
You're out of your mind" He
threw quick, apprehensive glance
at the door.
Perhaps am"
II don't know what my daugh-
ter's life means to you"
I'm fond of her." Violet said
slowly. by every right, I ought
to hate her. Once I did-just the
thought of her, I mean; when I
was young and reckless and want
ed everything my way. You told
me once you would have risked
divorce-everything, if it weren't
for the child"
What do you want me to do?"
He was staring at her now with a
new respect. Victor was a bit of
a bully, she reminded herself, keep
ing her sense of triumph carefully
hidden behind a mask of indiffer-
ence. He always admired those who
stood up to him.
Il want you to let Katharine go
west with Miss Vincent, have her
try at painting. It's sort of school
they have there. Open air stuff.
She'll thrive on it. She's been look !
ing badly anyhow. I think she could |
stand change"
He hesitated for the space If half |
a minute. Then he nodded. 1t was
like him to give in gracefully, once
he had decided the affair was out |
of his hands. Almost urbane was
his voice and manner when he
spoke again.
We'll, you may be right about it.
Yes. Parents often are too close to
their children to see the best for
them. Thank you, Violet. I'll win
my wife over. She's always over
anxious about Katharine She feels |
the responsibility keenly-another
Wonlan's child. after all"