The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-03-21

peared adorned with some new,
becoming gown or cloak from
Alice's wardrobe. She did not
finch from the deception when she
detected warmth in Trever's eyes
which lighted especially when he
appraised her entrance. Bill de-
layed his stay from two weeks to
three and from three to four, with
a final decision to make it rather
indefinite about returning home
until he had had his fill of New
York.
Then, one night, Alice noticed
signs of silence rather unusual in
Bill. She mirtook it for definite
signals of da wing love and her
matchmaking heart glowed that she
had been successful. She decided
to sound him out.
why haven't you ever married,
Bill?" she asked suddenly.
Me? Marry?" he questioned.
Yes, why not? Aren't Fred and
1 pretty good examples of how two
people can make a go of marriage?"
she asked.
DILL TREVERS laughed happily:
- You are wonderful, you two
but / guess I'm not lucky. You see.
I never met any one l cared enough
Tor to marry. There is always
something wrong. I've got pretty
definite notions and when I find the
girl who tabs in with those notions
and she likes me, too, then perhaps
Ill tumble like the rest" He paused
and gazed into the fire contem-
platively.
What's the matter with Nan
Pierson?" Alice questioned and
waited anxiously for his answer.
BY the way, why isn't she showing
up for game of bridget must be
nearly g."
"Oh, Mani" Bill said the name
with touch of affection in his
voice. She's great girl. Lots of
common sense-good level head
but"
But, WHAT" asked Alice, rest
lessly.
XTELL--she's got too much
w money. She doesn't need me.
want to marry some one who is
broke. Some one for whom I can
buy pretty things, and give her the
thrill of her life doing it. Some
one who hasn't anything-in other
words. some one who needs just me
to take care of her. MAXWELL
Nan comes pretty nigh to filling the
bill, but she's too we'll fixed in life.
She's got everything. Look at all
those grand clothes she wears-she
looks wonderful in them-but she's
efficient enough in herself to pro-
vide them-I want to do that job. I
can afford to make some woman
mighty happy, and I'm going to
hold out until I find that woman"
Obi" Alice exclaimed. "Oh,
you don't understand" But she
could not suddenly burst her infor-
nation of Mans struggle and al
most poverty upon Bill without time
to think things over. She wanted
to rush upstairs to Mans shabby
apartment and tell to discard her
disguise and tell the truth to Bill.
In her wild enthusiasm to show
up Nan at her best to Bill she had
failed in the very thing she was
after. What fool she had been
not to understand that simple,
kind-hearted, magnanimous Bill
Better than that. Why had she not
been honest with him in the first
place as Fred had advised?
TINE telephone tinkled Alice rose
Il to answer it.
"Oh, Nan, it's you! We were Won
dering what kept you-why Nan,
you're crying-you are, I know it
I'll be right up
Alice turned to Bill.
why don't you run upstairs and
get NAM" she asked.
Upstairs? 1 thought she lived
on the other side of town.
NO, and don't ask any questions.
She lives in an apartment at the
top of this building. Hurry. now
and I think you'll make a discov-
cry"
When Bill entered Mans apart
ment he didn't see luxurious rooms
as he had thought they would be,
but just one tiny room, and on the
studio couch lay Nan sobbing.
Darling, what is the matter?"
he asked as he knelt down by her
and caught her hand in his.
'nH, I'm just tired of pretending.
~ I'm not rich, but poor. Yes.
as poor as any girl could be who
has lost good designers job and
is trying TO make ends meet by
sewing for other women" And Nan
wiped the tears out of her eyes.
Il might just as well tell you the
truth, for I have lost you anyhow.
These clothes aren't mine but
Alice'S. can't go on. I haven't a
cent and I just received notice to
pay my rent or leave. I'm licked. It
was like being in fairyland and
now it is all ended. I know you
hate me-"
Who has any right to say that
I'd hate you, young lady? If there's
going to be any iairyland around I
insist on being the prince. About
all I've been so far is a pretty big
numbSkull."
And Bills strong arms sheltered
Mans weary shoulders as he leaned
forward and kissed away the re-
naming tears.
THE END
STREET DAD EpkMHuICE