The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-07-19
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CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN
A S the japanese boy padded
L n softly down the hall after de-
livering his message from the i'm
perious Mrs. Marsh, 10 stood be-
wildered, clutching her negligee
about her. Five minutes! And
Douglas Marsh had said she would
have plenty Of time for shower
and to dress for dinner.
Evidently his mother was a wom-
an Of sudden decisions. or - this
seemed more likely to Jo-she had
decided to put 10 on the defensive
by making her late to the very first
dinner at Crest Lake.
We'll, late or not" 10 told her
self, I'm going to have my
shower"
And when she felt clean and re-
freshed and had rubbed her hard
young bcdys whiteness to a pink
glow she found that three minutes
Of the five were already consumed.
Piqued at the thought of having to
rush so insensitly, 10 went to the
telephone and got Penton at the
desk downstairs.
would you please tell Mrs
Marsh that I'm sorry, but it will
be 10 or Is minutes before I can
be DOWN."
Il certainly will, Miss Darien."
Something in Penton's voice told
10 that he knew what was up, and
that he was definitely with her
against Mrs. Marsh's little plot.
But 10 did get downstairs in less
than 10 minutes, radiant and some
how not caring in the least what
Mrs. Marsh thought. Penton greeted
her with an approving smile.
Mrs. Marsh and her son are In
the dining room, Miss Darien."
She nodded pleasantly. Thank
you.
II kept for the Marshes and a
II lowering waiter, the big dining
room was deserted; and the Marshes
had taken a table in one corner by
one of the windows which over
looked the lake.
AS 10 crossed the room she was
painfully conscious that the old
woman was watching her every step
of the way. But 10 in her turn,
hiding her analytical gaze behind a
smile, examined Mrs.
Marsh, too. She saw a thin, elderly
woman in a black dress which was
relieved only by bit of white collar.
Her mouth was thin, like her body,
and it was tightly set as if it could
open only with effort.
The white hair was piled carefully
and regally, and her pale blue eyes
were suspicious and cold. Indeed,
she was so unlike her son that 10
was for a moment taken aback.
She thought suddenly that Doug
las Marsh must be almost wholly like
his father; and she thought, too,
that old Aaron Marsh must have led
a very harried life with such a
woman.
No wonder he bent all his efforts
toward the gathering of money; and
no wonder, as Douglas had limited
he sometimes strayed a bit from the
path of fidelity.
But 10 was relieved to note that
even when his mother was present
there was no change in Marsh's at
titude toward her. He arose quickly
and went forward to meet her.
I'm sorry you were rushed. II
was my fault entirely. I didn't
know mother had planned dinner sc
early"
10 smiled. Il must apologize fol
being late"
Mother" Marsh said, leading il
to the table, L want to present il
Darien."
How do you do, Miss Darien,
remarked Mrs. Marsh with the all
of not caring in the least how il
Darien did. We've already begun
as you see. I like to have dinner
when I feel like having dinner"
10 laughed, taking the chair which
Marsh drew out for her. Il agree
with that exactly. I think having
dinner at a stated time is non
sense"
~Nonsense?" repeated Mrs. Marsh
raising her eyebrows. I'm afraid
I don't know what you mean"
Marsh winked surreptitiously at
10, and plunged into the converse
ito.
Would you like to start with a
seafood cocktail, Jo?" At his men,
ton of her first name 10 happened
to meet Mrs. Marsh's glance with
her own. The resulting sensation
was not pleasant.
Tell me. Miss Darien,' went on
the old woman when her son had or
dered for 10. Tell me something
about yourself. Douglas has tried
Perhaps he believed he was tell
ing me something definite. But
Douglas is always incoherent about
good looking young women-and, as
a matter of fact. I don't believe he
knows much about you himself"
EOR an awful moment 10 felt
L like springing from the table
telling Mrs. Marsh very definitely
that what she was and who she
was couldn't be, as yet, any of the
old woman's business. But her COM
mon sense interviewed in time to
warn her that she had everything
to gain by being agreeable, nothing
TO gain with a show of temper.
Well" said 10, trying hard to