The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-03

happiness to help ont. Particularly
the work with the children"
You've helped me, too Peter
said.
I'D love to go out sometimes with
you and see what this decorator does
with the place. May II"
Haven't you volunteered your
services? This decorator will be
wanting a woman's ideas"
Peter was still holding her hands,
Now he released them. You're the
first one to give me real hope
about Ann. Strange, isn't i.?"
I'm glad" Ssaid Valeria. She
drove home in a glow of happiness.
How transparent men were, how
pliable and ready to be nodded into
any shape under a woman's clever
handling.
Falling into Peters mood was the
way. Pretending to believe Ann
would return to him, making him
feel comforted and confident. Nat
urally, he would come back for more
of the same medicine. She had
given him a plausible reason for her
desire to be with him. Imagine do
ing a house for Ann. She laughed
aloud suddenly. For Ann!
1t would be a terrible day for her
if Ann returned. But then Ann
wouldn't. The girl had her silly
pride. She would stay away until
it was too late, until Peter had be-
gun divorce proceedings. The
chances were that she wouldn't ap-
pear on the scene at all. Not until
it was all over, and Valeria was
married to Peter-safely established
in a beautiful home, furnished ac-
cording to her own ideas. Because,
of course, she could manage this
decorator with subtle suggestions,
conveying the impression that she
was the one to be pleased.
This had been a splendid days
effort. One of the best in her life.
Peter had noticed her good
works." The last six weeks had
been trying. She had worked her.
self to death, denied herself al fun.
1t had been boring being a little
Pollyanna, playing Lady Bountiful.
1t really wasn't her role. But it
had been a great idea to adopt it.
She must keep it up through the
summer anyway.
There would be compensations.
She would be driving with Peter
through the fragrant countryside
to the home. They would dine at
little, out-of-the-way places. Day by
day, with her sympathy and under
standing, she would be becoming
more essential to Peter.
n 4
INTELLIGENT said, when Peter
Iva broke the news to her, Its
the silliest thing I have ever heard
of-furnishing the house for Ann
when she may never come back to
you
Peters face whitened. Don't"
Well, it's true. And if she does,
what then? Women like to select
their W things. It's part of the
fun of getting into your own place.
I'm sur I wouldn't want another
woman selecting the patterns for
my china and silver. 1t would be
like living in a house a first wife
had furnished"
SGXTo 1Orio u-n0fl 10TyO n thinn fn
do with the decorating and furnish
ing. if that's what you object to.
1 saw the decorator this afternoon
and he won't take the job unless he
can do it his own way"
We'll, that's something to be
thankful for" Millicent said. Il
hope he does have a mind of his
own. If he doesn't the place will be
terrible. I can't imagine Ann living
in a house Valera had furnished"
"She won't furnish it," Peter in
sisted.
Millicent smiled, but wisely de-
cided to say nothing more. She was
treading thin ice, she knew, and
was smart enough to know when
to stop.
The next moment she forgot her
resolution because Peter said, You
haven't noticed how changed Vale
RE is, have you?"
mo, I haven't. I've seen some
gestures. Peter, be careful. Don't
forget the leopard's spots"
you never have seen any good
in Varelia."
Millicent stared, So Peter was
taking up arms in defense of Vale
ria. This was something new!