The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-12-05
CHAPTER FIVE


gance in the Cameron household
were suddenly forgotten in prep
aration for the coming party And
Nancy, despite her resentment at
the reason for it-Dana-Would not
have been human if she hadn't en-
Joyed the temporary recklessness
with the family funds.
She was going to have a new
dress!
Only a day before Nancy had
been thinking unhappily, "Whatll I
wear? That old pink orgsndy, I
suppose. | wish it would fall into
holes so I'd have to get a new eve
ming dress. I wish l had nerve
enough to spill ink down the front
of It,"
And then there was her grand
mother saying, Il suppose both of
you girls will need new dresses.
think your Aunt Ellen and I saw
the very ones for you Twin models
at Burger Goodlet's. They are white
which I think is prettiest for young
girls. And" Mrs. Cameron had not
completely forgotten her thrifty
habits you can wear white longer
1t is less conspicuous, and it can al
ways be dyed"
A Burger Goodlet frock! Nancy's
big eyes widened in amazement
This was something, indeed Oh, it
was going to be grand to appear in
something besides that everlasting
pink rag, to feel decently dressed
for once in ones life.
We're having Hattie Washington
do the catering" Aunt Ellen an
nounced, her eyes shining.
Il can't stand any more" Nancy
said. Il simply can't" She knew
this extravaganza was Wickedly
reckless. But if grandmother had
suddenly gone haywire and was de-
termined to send them all straight
to the poorhouse, at least Nancy
intended to enjoy every moment
while the spending spree lasted.
When do we go for our fittings?''
Nancy asked, her voice husky with
emotion.
ANY blIllt yOu WlSll. Lie uItSSSG
have been laid aside for YOU"
Nancy could scarcely wait. She
wanted to rush from the room and
race to town. But when one is q
and has spent several years cult
waiting pose of indifference it will
not do to drop the mask all at once
Il guess I'll take a nap. I'm aw-
fully sleepy" Nancy said, managing
quite natural yawn. She went
to her room and threw herself across
her bed. Impossible to sleep when
one was as excited as this, visioning
oneself in long lovely white formal
1T may have train" Nancy
thought. Even slight train would
help. It might do things for her
and she did know how to manage
her feet.
TINE house was very quiet and
i presently Nancy drifted off to
sleep while listening to the drone
of the humming birds In the red
honeysuckle vine. 1t was 3 when
she awakened.
Now she could leave the house
without Grandmother and Aunt
Ellen suspecting she was rushing
off to see the new dress. With
elaborate carelessneSs, she left the
house, swinging tennis racket.
Perhaps she should have knocked
at Danas door, and asked her to
come along for fitting, too. But
that, Nancy felt, would be a weak
ness. Just because one was going
to have a new dress was no reason
to turn sentimental and sappy and
do things you didn't want to do.
Nancy was quite sure, anyhow
that Dana was sleeping. Every one
in the old house fell into the habit
of an afternoon nap because there
was nothing else to do to fill the
time
AS Nancy backed the Cameron
automobile down the drive into the
street, a roadster, driven by Marie
Norman, swerved quickly, avoiding
collision.
10, Nancy" Marie called.
The other girls response was
none too cordial She halted the
car. however, as it was apparent
Marie wanted to talk.
Hello" Nancy said. Marie
Norman had always had an irritat-
ing effect on her. Marie was al
ways perfectly bland and agreeable
all sweetness and light, but, just
the same, she was full of tricks
and used them when it suited her
purpose, with INSCRIPTIONS Gun
ming.
There had been times, too, when
Nancy's rapier-like wit had drawn
blood at the expense of her slower
witted neighbor. Somehow, Nancy
knew that Marie had an abiding
dislike for her, behind smiling eyes
and slow indolent voice.
I'm just back from the club,
Marie announced. Guess who is
out there?"
Too hot for guesswork"
Your perfectly Knockout sister"
My sister," Nancy dropped her
eyes for moment. "Oh-Dana
I'd forgotten she planned to go out
this afternoon"
You should shave been there to
see the hit she made. Boys swarm
ing around her like bees. Ronnie
wasn't any too pleased about it.
either. He had that terribly
proprietary manner, I suppose, lust
because he'd brought her out. We
hometowners haven't a chance.
Gosh, Nancy, if I hsr a sister like
that, I'd have kept her. across the
ocean!"
Would you?" Nancy queried in
differently. She started the car
just then--and for once didn't mind
its protesting roar, mixed with a
number of rattles. They helped
to drown out Marie's parting shot.
What do I care?" Nancy asked
herself furiously, driving blindly
for tha moment