The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-04-23

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sentence brought them both back
to remembering the last time they |
mad met.
After little pause, and with no
small embarrassment, Pete said, Il
dropped around to tell you that you
misunderstood the reason for my
visit the that other night.
didn$ come to get story. I came
because well, because I hoped
perhaps you hadn't heard and I
had funny idea might be able
to tell you without its hurting more
than was necessary"
Linda's eyes grew O little wider
as she appraised him, seeing him
for the first time as a person. Pete
was embarrassed by her silent
scrutiny.
Guess I was pretty presumptu-
Gus. don't usually get that way.
wanted you to know, though"
n II
TN glad you told me-" she said
Il grayely. why did you do that?
Why did you come to tell me?"
Pete didn't answer at once be-
cause he didn't know how. He
didn't know himself. He couldn't
very well tell her that he liked the
way she carried her head, or that
; he knew she was the kind of girl
who could take the harder knocks,
out he didn't want her to have to
take them.
He hadn't really thought about
it before. Whenever he thought
about her he had disliked her.
In his own mind he amended the
word dislike to resent. He hadn't
disliked her; he had resented her.
The latent pride in him that had
protected him SO we'll through his
young years had met no challenge
until he met Linda and knew that
he or his kind did not exist for her.
And Pete, like most who knew
or thought they knew-Linda
Bourne, was wrong. She was in
capable of snobbishness. She was
fair, kindly, gracious and intelli-
gent, but she was reserved and had
the considerate aloofness of her
class.
She was not confiding, ELUSIVE
or intrusive in any relation in her
life. And she was shy. She lacked
the powerful weapons of spon-
taneous action and obvious re-
action, sometimes called aggressive
ness.
D UT Pete did not know that, and,
- from his first moment of meet
ing her in the Blade office, he
checked his uncomfortable feeling
about her to his own belief that she
regarded him as her inferior
And now he did not know how
to answer her. He was glad that
none of MS gang were there to hear
him tumble weakly for an explana-
ton that came haltingly.
"Oh, don't know. I just hap
pened to hear it on the telephone
and well, you'd just been in
and :"
Yes" she answered noncommit-
tally enough, knowing why and
therefore not believing his explana-
ton. You did it because you are
kind. And I was ineXcusably rude
to you. Please forgive me-"
oh, sure, that's all right. Things
weren't so good around here that
night. I meant to come before to
explain . but, well really
came tonight because my mother
insisted"
your mother?" Pete heard the
note of usefulness and sincere in
tereSt in her voice, and the distance
between them didn't seem too great.
You'd like her." he said He was
surprised that he had said it; he
seldom spoke about his mother with
all the affection in his heart so close
to his voice
Tell me about her"
LIE did-with increasing pleas
l. l. ure-as she drew him out I'M
til he told her about the early years,
the little house on the other side |
of town, the weathered shingle in
the windows, the years of struggle |
and schooling and work.
you must be aWfully proud of |
her" There was moisture in Lin
da's eyes, but Pete could not know
the reason why.
I'D like you to meet her." Pete
said quickly, and as quickly half re-
GREETED it before she answered.
I'D like to- That was all she
said, but it was sincere, not a
gesture.
Its date" Pete was ashamed
that he Nvas SO relieved by her
answer. "And now, young lady,
think I'd better get you a wrap or
something. It's getting dampish
out here"
Would you would you mind
coming in with me? 1 haven't had
supper and thought maybe, if
you'd keep me company, 1 might
have some" Linda was much less
like the president of the Junior
League than a small, pathetic child.
Sure enough, if you'll give me
some. I haven't had mine either"
Pete lied CALAMITY.
Il don't know much about cook
ing, but if tea, toast, and eggs would
tempt you I~tnink I could manage"
| = u
II AFTER, sitting before a blazing
IL hearth in the library, she told
him all the things she had been
crying over in the garden.
The Bourne fortune" was gone.
Her father had specialized and the
reason for his suicide was obvious.
The mills were in the hands of the
receivers.
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