Indianapolis Times, Volume 38, Number 177, Indianapolis, Marion County, 30 October 1926 — Page 10

PAGE 10

SONIA A Story of Dangerous Love - .By VIDA HURST ,

Through DR. DON STILLWATER. SONIA MARSH, young and pretty, obta.ne a position in the San Francisco real estate office of JED THOMAS, his uncle. MAXINE LARUE, head of her department. •nvttes Sonia. VIOLET. FERN. JINNY and FRANKIE to her liquor party. WALTER D. HENDERSON, a wealthy bachelor of Berkeley, disapproves of Sonia living with Maxine'. Sonia quarrels with BERT DONOHUE because of her Infatuation for FRANKLIN CRANE, whom he says is a periodic drinker, and retains his position in their office because his wealthy father was a friend of Jed Thomas, but Crane explains that he is absent to take his invalid mother on long auto trips A threat from Bertie worries Sonia. Crane admits he loves Sonia, but says he is afraid their happiness cannot last. Maxine chides Sonia for offending Hen--derson, alluding that she is wasting her time with Crane because his mother dispenses her money cautiously. Maxine notices Jed Thomas unusual interest, in Sonia. . Sonia visits her sister VERA and sees an old friend. TOM who is now engaged to SIDNEY MAINE. , _ While home for Christmas Walter Henderson calls and asks Sonia to marry him. . , . . . When she refuses he asks her to take time to consider it. Her parents SAM and ANN MARSH are favorably impressed with Henderson. ... . Sonia learns from Sidney that her cousin. GENEVIEVE, U engaged to Franklin Crane. When Sonias father asks her to explain her sudden depressed expression she bursts into tears, but will tell nothing. She leaves hurriedly for San Francisco. It occurs that Crane lies to her. Maxine admits that her middle-aged friend. MAC MACGREGOR, is married. Crane tells Sonia his engagement was arranged by bis mother and that he did not object because of Ins mothers ill health but Mint the engagement must stand even though he never intends to marry the girl. He tells Sonia he still 01 Sonla er asks Crane to take her home Immediately. CHAPTER XXVI All through the long drive back to her apartment, Franklin talked. Incoherent, wild promises; desperate, Jumbled, murmurs of passion and contrition, which left Sonia cold, because not once did he alter his decision that the engagement to the other girl could not be broken. Chilled and desolate, she permitted him to kiss her.. ‘‘Promise* me, Sonia, that this won’t be the end?” ‘‘l can’t promise anything." ‘‘Sonia, please! You can’t be so cruel.” ‘‘Cruel,’” she cried, bitterly. “How can you say that?” She tore herself away from him and fled to the shelter of her own walls. She felt maimed, wounded. She could never dance through life with the old vibrant step, no matter what happened. He had hurt her so that she would never recover. Beyond hope of cure! Maxine was out. The bizarre tones of the apartment clashed now on her tortured nerves. She was sick of color. Jaded and worn to the point where only somber dullness was desired, she longed some anaesthesia to deaden all sensation. Better oblivion than the agony of life without Crane. ”How could he she asked over and over. “How could he expect me to go on? It would be constant torture. I'd never know another peaceful day.” His desperate kisses burned on her Ups. In the midst of her despair, the telephone rang.' Walter Henderson’s voice responded, cheerfully matter of fact. 'T’ve just gotten in. Can I come up. or are you busy tonight?” “I’m not busy.” “Does that mean you want to see me?” J “Yes. Come on up.” Thought was suspended until he cmie. She was conscious of a determined effort at self-control, which was successful. She opened the door, smiling, “Welcome home.” “That’s sweet of you. I’m glad enough to get here." He entered, ruddy with the cold, bringing with him the distinguished, polished atmosphere which had always appealed to her. He held her hands. “Sonia,, you look cold. And no wonder. It’s like a morgue In here. Why haven’t you a fire?” “I didn’t notice there wasn’t any,” she apologized. “Well, show me where the coal Is. I’ll make you one.” His commonplace words were comforting. She sat, shivering, but relaxed, while he prepared an expert arrangement of kindling and coal In the fireplace. The ice about her heart seemed to melt 9. little with the crackling flames. ‘‘■Draw up closer. There! T believe you were half frozen.” She obeyed him, like a child, groping for his hand and holding it in hers, tightly. “What is it. Sonia?” She did not reply until he repeated his question then she said, desperately, “Life terrifies me.” “My dear girl, you are the last person on earth I should ever have expected to say that. I thought you craved experience." “T'm sick of it.” “Sonia,” he asked, quietly, “are

Brimful of Health Wide-awake Children Brought up on

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you in love with Franklin Crane?” “No!” She flung away from him. “Are you sure?” ‘K)t course! I don’t love any one.” I He was watching her. intently. “Does that sweeping assertion also Include me?” “It includes every one I know,” she declared,"defiantly. “Very well; I suppose I’m a fool, but if it really means you don’t care for any one else I’m satisfied.” She looked at him in surprise. “Because you are too young to know your own mind,” he continued. “The man most girls love at 18 is not their choice at 26. And marriage gives wisdom to the most inexperienced.” “You mean I might come to love you?” "Exactly! Is the idea an obnoxious one?” “I’m afraid the feeling I have for you would never be love.” "You do have a certain place for In your affections?” "I surely do.” * “Then I would willingly take a chance. You don’t know how sweet I could be to you, Sonia.” She said, slowly, "I don't'wish to ever really love any one.” “All right. Then we could go down to old age with a satisfactory domestic affection on your part. You wouldn't object to my devotion to you?" * * * Staring at his broad, well-tailored shoulder, Sonia felt that he could never become distasteful to her. He was too well bred to inflict himself upon her when he felt he was unwelcome. She had craved a surcease to suffering, an anaesthetic to deaden her pain. Might she not be able to find it in his home? Surrounded by luxury and the respect due Walter Henderson’s wife? “There would be no thrill to it," she thought, sadly. “But at least there wouldn’t be this other wracking torment.” “What are you thinking, Sania?" Her green eyes were inscrutable. “I was wondering if you’d really marry me like that?” “You say yes and see.” He came across to her and sat on the arm of her chair. Suddenly she buried her head on his shoulder. “T think I will,” she whispered. I He lifted her from the chair, cry 1 ing joyfully, “My dear! You'll j never be sorry.” But when he kissed her, something 1 free and clamorous within her seemed to die. “I don’t care.” thought Sonia. “Anything is better than going on.” It was surprising how much calmer she felt. “I'm hungry/" she said. “Can't we go somewhere and have somethingto eat?”

He suggested the Aladdin on Sutter St. As they passed the darkened real estate office. Sonia decided she could not have endured working thereafter her break with Franklin. But she would not cause comment by stopping until the end of the month. “How soon can we be married?" Walter asked across the tgble. "How soon do you wish?" “Right away. Tonight!" She smiled. “You know that’s impossible.” "As soon as we can, anyway. You won’t make me go through the ban ality of a large wedding .will you, Sonia?" “No. The more quiet It is the better T’ll like it.” Some inward stirring caution made her add, “if you don’t mind I’d rather you wouldn't say anything about it for a while.” “Why not? Is there any doubt about it?” “I think not. but after all it’s been a very sudden decision. I’d better change my mind now than later." His face fell. “How long is It going to take you to be sure of yourself. Sonia?” She was toying with the food she had ordered. In spite of her professed hunger it seemed she could not eat. "It’s like this,” she confessed, frankly. “I want to go on working until the end of the month, without. saying anything about it to any one. If at the end of that time we both feel the same I’ll leave the office 'and marry you immediately. Isn’t that fair enough?” "Put I won’t feel sure of you any of 'that time." he objected. “Surely a month isn’t so long to wait. I’ve read of lovers who waited for years.” He shook his head forebodingly. “I don’t like it. I thought when you said you’d do it, it was an uncon-

OTTT OITB WAY—By WILLIAM^

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ditlonal proposition.” Her eyes were so inexpressive they startled him. “I said I thought , I would,” she explained quietly. “If you don’t ,like the idea all you have to do Is say so.” He lighted a eigaret with fingers that shook a little. “I certainly don't like it, but if it’s the best I can d0... .As you say, it’s only for a month. I'd be willing to wait more than a month for the chance of winning you, Sonia —” A little later he kissed her goodnight. (To Be Continued}

A Bible Test

Students of the Bible will have no difficulty answering most of the questions listed hero. Many will be able to answer all. The correct answers will appear on page 14: 1. What incident in Biblical history does the accompanying illustration portray? 2. Which son of Jacob was envied and hatecDby his brothers? 3. Who fed accompany of 6,000 persons with flve barrey loaves and two small Ashes? 4. Where did the eleven disciples see Jesus after he had risen from the dead? 5. Whom God save when he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah? 6. What were the words of the handwriting on the wall? *4. Who interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream? 8. Who caused the death of David’s son Amnon? ' 9. Who became king after Saul't death? 10. Who buried Abraham? Dogs have a wholesome fear of Are. A delivery man recently, saved himself from attack by two vicious dogs-by tossing lighted matches at them when they lunged at hint.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON Evils of Strong Drink Again Told in This'Study

The International Uniform Sunday Sohool J.egson for Oct. 31. The Evils of Stronfr Drink Prov 23:29-35. BY \VILLI.\M E. GIIiROY, l). D. Editor of The Congregationalist Every day w are reminded of the fact that laws against intoxicating drink do not In themselves end drinking or abolish the* curse as sociated with alcoholism. Opinions may differ regarding the success or nonsuccess of the pro- j hibitory law as embodied/ in the I eighteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States and in the Volstead act; but there can be | no difference of opinion among clearvisioned and honest men regarding * the evils associated with intoxicating J liquor and the need for continued instruction regarding temperance and especially regarding the value of 1 total abstinence. All good men, it is true, are not | agreed even about the matter of : total abstinence, but this at least is j true that even moderate drinking ; has injured a great many people and has at least constituted a sort of moral support of the recognized evil of the liquor traffic, while total ab-1 stinence never has Injured anybody, j and from a moral standpoint has j been wholly, upon the side of sane 1 and healthful conditions fob Individ- j uals and for society. Progress of Prohibition In the discussions regarding pro- | hibitlon it is easy to underestimate 1 the immense progress that has been made. Over a long term of ybars this progress is simply enormous. The other day I was reading the records concerning the dedication of one of the foremost Congregational churches of the country that took place toward the close of the eighteenth century. The uamount of liquor provided, and apparently consumed. In connection with the festivities on that occasion was enormous. The churches ! have ' advanced immeasurably since | that time. But perhaps we should | not forget that many people in the j community who have not made slmi iar progress are amply a hundred I years behind the times. I We ought to deal Arinly and effectually with those who refuse to ndvancp with the advancing community and who make their back-

BOOTS AND HER BUDDIES—By MARTIN

FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS-By BLOSSEB

ground, ideas, and habits an oeca. sion for Aouting the law of the land. But along with this firmness there ought to be, perhaps, a somewhat more patient and sympathetic atti tude toward those who in the matter of liquor drinking.are no worse than many very religious people "ere a few generations back. Along with law enforcement there ought to be much patient and persistent coun sel, moral suasion and Instruction. But from another angle, also, even : in recent years progress has been I very great. It is interesting to note j that among the foes of prohibition j and upholders of nulliAcation there is practically no one who speclAcally defends the saloon: in fact almost every anti-prohibition advocate is very careful to assert that he doejj nqt want the saloon back. The Saloon Surely tHle in Itself indicates how far the community as a whole has ! progressed. Prohibitionists, it Is I true, Insist that the alternative is largely between prohibition on the one hand or something that Is virI tually the equivalent of the saloon | upon the other. Whether this be j true or not. It seems reasonably cerI tain that the people of America as a whole very much prefer prohibition iwith any Incidental handicaps that l it may have so the return of the i saloon or anything that Is the eqalS valent of the saloon, j It looks as if In the warfare upon ■ alcoholism this democracy will go forward and not back; but there must be persistent continuous instruction dealing with the elemental facts and the justlAcation for prohibitory law. In this instruction the Bible is still a very notable textbook. From ancient times It brings to us a clear picture of the evils of strong drink and a wholesome and powerful warning against it which history only eon Arms. Tt Is interesting that the arraign ment and the warning of our lesson relates th wine and not to what are . described today as "hard liquors.” Soothes The Agony Joint-Ease AH Druggists— Tube For 60c

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The simple matter of fact is that W’int in the course of history has been sufficiently hard to occasion much evil. Let the man who defends it sur-

V M4TIONJU. / V* BANK •/ V/. or ± HE spirit of willingness and helpfulness in which the ser* vice of this bank is and executed has been responsible for our steady and consistent ’ ' growth. - N Mefclier American ioxL<al Bank? — ' V#h the Fletcher-American Company tty

I vey the whole course of life and say whether or fiot the words of our lesson are true: “At the last It blteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall beI hold strange women, and thine heart ! shall utter perverse things.” That jls pretty much the role that wine I has played in history.

OCT. 30, 1926

RECORD CRANBERRY CROP NEW YORK—A bumper crop cC cranberries from Cape Cod, N. and AVisoonsln this year has been reported by the American Cranberry! Exchange reports. The prevailing 1 price of $7.50 a barrel should enabl* retailers to sell them at 15 cents) a quart with profit, the exchange estimated.