The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-01-17
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to tell him, Ronnie would be sure to
miss the important fact--that Dana
had gone because it was Scott she
loved. No words came from Nancy's
stiff lips.
THAT lets me OUT Ronnie said.
He shrugged his shoulders a little,
and then Strengthened them.
Nancy thought, "Ronnie is being
brave. Ronnie is being awfully
brave. You would think he would
storm and look crushed and hope
less. Or Inundated, at any rate"
But though Ronnie's mouth was
grim, Nancy's searching eyes failed
to find anything that resembled hu-
initiation or hopelessness. But he
must be feeling that way!
Ronnie walked toward the door
slowly. Very slowly. Nancy couldn't
bear to see him go. If there were
only something she could say to
cheer him up. Maybe it would cheer
him up bit to know the truth
about Dana rushing off so without
leaving even message for him.
Surely, she should tell him. But no
words came.
Ronnie turned then, looked at
Nancy, and came back-taking both
OF her hands. IF you had been
ditched by girl an hour or so be-
fore you were to marry her, what
would you do?" he asked in tense
tone.
Marry another girl, I guess"
Nancy said.
That's what I've been thinking, =
Ronnie said.
you WERE" Nancy's voice was
breathless.
Yes. Only I don't know any girl
who would marry me right off,"
Anybody would" Nancy said.
Ronnie smiled little. But I
don't know any one who would His
hands frightened on hers. There
was a strange intensity in his voice.
There's-me!" Nancy cried.
And then a wave of color washed
over her face. If her hands had
been free, she would have covered
her face in an agony of shame. She
had proposed to Ronnie. Thrown
herself right at his head, And now
he would turn her down gently and
firmly and she would never hold up
her head in life again.
d ONNIE was saying in a queer
IN voice, That's a mighty fine
idea, Nan. It's generous of you to
try to save my face. Your idea is
that tomorrow when Dana is back
with Scott and you and 1 are mar
ried, nobody will know what to
believe They won't be able to make
up their minds-wondering if Dana
ditched me, or whether I fell in love
with you and ditched Dana. The
honors will be about evenly divided
That's what you were thinking, !
imagine"
Nancy didn't reply for moment.
Ronnie had it all figured out this
way. Maybe it would be best to let
him believe it. Then, if he didn't
want to go ahead, he wouldn't feel
so embarrassed about saying so.
Don't think you have to marry
me, Ronnie, just because suggested
it,"
Ronnie spoke almost cheerfully:
I'm going to take you up on it,
Nancy. Can you leave at once?
Perhaps you could take along some
of Danas clothes. Hurry, will you?
I'm afraid we may have hard time
selling the. idea to your grand
mother"
Nancy ran up the stairs. This
was dream. A foolish dream. It
couldn't be possible that Ronnie
was willing to marry her. Even
though he were only marrying her
to escape humiliation, it was still
wonderful.
1t might be weak and cheap to
do this. But when the desire of
your heart was offered you, it
wouldn't be human not to accept
it.
Nancy found the travelling cases,
neatly packed, closed. Dana's new
hat was on the bed and her new
coat on hanger. Dana had worn
her old coat. Somehow, Nancy felt
that had been intentional. Dana
hadn't wanted to go to Scott in
clothes bought for her marriage to
another man
With trembling fingers, Nancy
put on the smart, small hat, slipped
into the coat and quickly made up
her face.
She was going to be married. In
clothes that didn't belong to her.
To a man who had believed until
10 minutes ago that he was mar
rylng her sister. But nothing mat
tered. Her heart was leaping Wild
ly, happily. Somehow, the lucky
star that had been so far away all
her life was lowering over her to-
night.