The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-04-25


A PPARENTLY everything had
n been explained to Peggy's sat-
isfaction, but the air hostess was
uncomfortably conscious of under
currents at the theater that night.
Peggy was restless. She fdgeted
and, between acts, smoked in
Vulnerable cigarets. Before the
last one she said, It think I'll tele-
phore Bart and see if he's through
yet"
Il wouldn't" Steve advised. Let
him alone. He's busy"
Peggy's chin YVES in the air.
Whats the use Of being engaged
if can't even telephone him? I'm
getting tired of his working all the
time. I don't think he's as busy as
he pretends to be-"
This was direct blow at Irene,
but, refusing to recognize it as such,
she made no answer and Peggy pro-
ceeded to the telephone. She came
back radiant. In her most attrac-
tive mood she took Steve's arm and
smiled at him.
1T must have been a satisfactory
conversation" Steve commented.
Right" cried Peggy, gaily.
Later when they stopped at the
Reagan home for the delicious little
sandwiches and refreshing drinks
that Glen had waiting for them, he
told them that DR.. Ralston hadn't
returned.
But I thought you said you
talked to him." Steve said to his
sister.
Il said nothing of the kind" she
stated. Il merely agreed that it
had been a satisfactory conversa-
ton"
Her manner was so arch that
Irene wondered if she were trying
to make them think she had tele-
phoned some one else. Peggy was SO
transparent. 1t might be her idea
OF hitting back at Bart by pretend
ing to be interested in another man.
This idea was confirmed when,
the following Friday, Peggy APP
peared wearing orchids. The four
of them were dining at the Town
Club and Peggy's manner was so
hilarious that all of them noticed it.
For the first time she had no criti-
cism of entertainers, food, or
music.
Bart should send you orchids
oftener," Steve said.
i didn't give them to her." Bart |
denied with quick glance at Irene.
HE certainly didn't" Peggy
asserted. do you think I'm not |
attractive enough to rate flowers
from any other MANI"
This was so obviously boasting
that all three of her companions
smiled. Since returning from school
at Christmas time, Peggy hadn't
had date with any one else. Hadn't
so far as they knew, had an OPP
portunity for one.
1T seems you have a rival, Bart"
laughed her brother.
I'm getting jealous" declared the
doctor.
Peggy was delighted.
"You needn't think you can neg
lect me and get away with it." she
said.
This was such an open reference
to the afternoon she had found
Bart in Alameda that Irene blushed
and Bart became ominouSly silent.
If the idea was to make him jealous,
Peggy was as clumsy about it as
an elephant. The poor child!
thought Irene for the hundredth
time.
The situation was getting on her
nerves until she no longer felt her
original pleasure in Steve's COM
pany. In the beginning she had
looked forward to her week-ends,
but now the situation was reversed.
From Friday until Sunday, she was
thinking, I'll be glad when I can
go to work"
THOSE trips in the air were in
l. creasingly thrilling. There was
always a new experience of some
kind. Only the week before, a cele-
brated poet, "a years old, had taken
his first ride with her. He was ter
ribly frightened and had chung to
her hand like a child for the first
few moments although later he had
been completely at ease, and had
eaten the luncheon she prepared for
him.
KeenIy alive to the beauty of the
scenery through which she passed
on her weekly schedule, she never
tired Of it.
The plane could always vary its
route little or the weather could
change and the whole landscape
seem different. The most striking
scenery on the coast lay between
Medford, oregon, and Seattle, but
her favorite view was the nocturnal
vision of san Francisco and Oak
land quivering like jewels strung
upon the black ribbon of the bay.
Sitting in the garishly decorated
night club with its red velvet
walls, Irene longed for the majesty
of the star studded night. She
wished she were in a plane with
Eddie or Tom or Barney, riding
like gods above these earth-bound
mortals who found their excite
ment in trotting in circles around
q dance floor.
Even when Bart asked her to
dance, the desire to fly was so
strong in her mind that she had to
force her attention back to him.
you're lovely" he whispered.
You're prettier than ever"
She looked up to meet Peggy's
eyes, level and appraising. AS if
she could hear every word that Bart
had said. Irene knew that was i'm
possible, but there was something
about Peggy tonight. A
hidden excitement which blazed up
n her like a flame.
Ito Be Continued
III
IL