Indianapolis Times, Volume 48, Number 9, Indianapolis, Marion County, 21 March 1936 — Page 15

MARCH 21,1936

Today's Short Story THE PRETENDERS By Helen Fusele

THE phone rang three times before Alice could rub the sleep away from her eyes and gather strength enough to rouse herself from her cozy bed. Fred, her husband, shouted above the noise of the spray from the bathroom: ‘‘Answer that, will you, dear?”

' Why, Bill Trevers!” Alice exclaimed. fully awake with the recognition of Bill’s voice over the phone. ‘‘Where are you apd when did you arrive? Wonder you wouldn't let us know beforehand, you old rascal you.” She called to Frrd. who poked his wet hpad out the crack of the bathroom door; "It's Bill Trevers.” ‘ Tell him to meet me for lunch at the Blake —Gee! Old Bill in to ’ n actually, after all these years —the Blake at sharp. Tell him I’m all wet or Id come to the phone.” , Alice hung up the receiver and danced a merry pattern across the bedroom floor. ‘ He’s coming up tonight, too. for dinner and says he's all set for a blowout—wants to see the town and do things. Says to drag out our best bib and tucker and prepare for lun!” Alice called with glee. b a u "/"”AN'T we find a girl for him? More fun with a foursome. Besides, we ought to see to it that Bill gets tied up—he's too dangerous unleashed like this,” she added. Fred, strolling into the room scrambling into his vest, grinned broadly. ‘‘The little matchmaker at 'it again?” he questioned goodnaturedly, "but you never could make any dent on Bill. He's just another of those stubborn bachelors. Just think, we haven't seen Bill since we were married. I always thought he was kind of sweet on you once, but too loyal a chap to break in on his best friend.” "Nonsense,” commented Alice, •'why we were all just pals together —but I've got to find a girl for him tonight and I believe I know just the one, too.” a u ft THE Harlows had been married for five years, but the honeymoon had never ended. Their friends Joked with them, saying that their devotion was a pose—that no two people could live so peacefully and blissfully together without one single scrap—that it couldn’t be done. But it vas done, for Fred and Alice were not posing. They were really married in the true sense of the word. They did not tread on each other's privacy; they practiced courtesy and consideration toward each other; they respected each other’s wishes and curbed their selfishness. In fact they were in love and five years had not rubbed the bright luster from their romance. "Well—who’s the chosen one to bo?” Fred asked finally. "Nan Pierson,” answered Alice, "she’s Just the one I’ve decided. She never gets much of a chance to have any fun. She's stuck up there—” "Who's she? I don't remember any one by that name,” interrupted Fred. tt tt a “QHE lives up at the top of this building, in one of those tiny roof apartments they have turned over to business women. She has done some sewing for me since she lost her fine job as a designer down town, and she has been frightfully up against it. She makes beautiful things—that is, for other people—poor dear, she never takes any time to make pretty things for herself. I’ll see her after breakfast and get her to join us.” "Anything you say is all right with me,” Fred agreed. "Gee! It will be great to have a reunion with Bill again. I hear he has made a stack of coin since we last saw hit lucky devil!” Six o'clock -seemed determined never to roll around to Alice. After breathless confidences with Nan Pierson and the scurrying about to sort out her 'most becoming costume. the excitement of arraying Nan in some of Alice's finery, she glanced at the clock, certain that the hands had stopped. But at last she heard a familiar key fumbling at the door and a cheery voice call, "Where is she—that girl of yours, Fred?” n a a A LICE fairly ran to meet them in the hallway. Bill lifted her in his strong arms until her lips met his. "Oh, you two kids! Am I glad to be with you again?” Bill Trevers exclaimed, swinging her around like a small child. His great body seemed to fill the entire hallway and his breezy, wholesome Western spirit bubbled with good nature and prosperity. Questions and answers were baited back and forth between the three for a space of an hour when the bell buzzed timidly. "Oh, that's Nan—the girl for you tonight, Fred,” Alice called over her shoulder as she hurried to the door. A tall, slim, dark-eyed girl trailed Alice into the living room. Fred's first glimpse of her registered pleasantly—she's a knockout, he thought swiftly. Bill Trevers clospd his large hand over a slender one and smiled cordially into dark, questioning eyes as he said, "Any friend of Alice's is bound to be perfect in my sight.” a a a AND Nan was a thing of perfection as far as looks was concerned. but her heart was a bit heavy with the deception she had been persuaded to use in arraying herself in Alice's lovely evening coat with the deep ermine collar—it gave her a sense of uneasiness to parade all this luxury so falsely as her own, but Alice had insisted, and the temptation had proved too great for her. It was a gala evening for all. The dinner was a feast of joy, and Bill and Nan found that they danced in perfect unison. "They make a handsome couple,” Fred commented to Alice watching them as they passed their table. "Where did you say you knew her? You never brought her home before. Seems like a sensible kind, too.” ■ She's really a grand person," said Alice. “It's a shame for a girl like that to be drudging along trying to make a living when she should be protected by some man like Bill. I hope that he will like her.” BUM BILL evidently did, for he arranged for another foursome the next night and the next and the next. And each night Nan ap-

peared adorned with some new, becoming gown or cloak from Alice's wardrobe. She did not flinch from the deception when she detected warmth in Trever's eyes which lighted especially when he appraised her entrance. Bill delayed his stay from two weeks to three and from three to four, with a Anal 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 silenra rather unusual in Bill. She mi.'took it for definite signals of a da vning 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 I pretty good examples of how two people can make a go of marriage?” she asked. bub BILL trevers laughed happily: “You are wonderful, you two—but I guess I’m not lucky/ You see, I never met any one I cared enough for to marry. There is always something wrong. I’ve got pretty definite notions and when I find the girl who tabs in with these notions and she likes me, too. then perhaps j 1 11 tumble like the rest.” He paused and gazed into the fire contemplatively. "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 a game of bridge—it must be nearly 9.” "Oh, Nan!” Bill said the name with a touch of affection in his voice. "She's a great girl. Lots of common sense—good level head—but ” "But, what?” asked Alice, restlessly. B B B “VlFELL—she's got too much VV money. She doesn't need me. I want te marry someone who is broke. Someone 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, someone who needs just me to take care of her. Nan—well — Nan comes pretty nigh to filling the bill, but she’s too well fixed in iife. 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 provide them—l 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.” "Oh!” Alice exclaimed. “Oh, you don’t understand.” But she could not suddenly burst her information of Nan’s struggle and almost poverty upon Bill without time to think things over. She wanted to rush upstairs to Nan’s 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 a fool she had been not to understand that simple, kind-hearted, magnanimous Bill better than that. Why had she not bern honest with him in the first place as Fred had advised? B B B THE telephone tinkled Alice rose to answer it. "Oh, Nan, it's you! We were wondering 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 Nan?” she asked. "Upstairs? I 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 discovery.” When Bill entered Nan’s apartment he didn't see luxurious rooms as he had thought they would be. but just one tiny room, and on the studio couch Jay Nan sobbing. "Darling, what is the matter?” he asked as he knelt down by her and caught her hand in his. B B B OH. I'm just tired of pretending. I'm not rich, but poor. Yes. as poor as any girl could be who has lost a good designer’s job and is trying to make ends meet by sewing for other women.” And Nan wiped the tears out of her eyes. "I might just as well tell you the truth, for I have lost you anyhow. These clothes aren't mine but Alice’s. I 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, ycung lady? If there's going to be any fairyland around I insist on being the jJrince. About all I’ve been so far is a pretty big numbskull.” And Bill's strong arms sheltered Nan's weary shoulders as he leaned forward and kissed away the remaining tears. (THE END) STREET CAR FRANCHISE IS TO BE DISCUSSED Trackless Trolley Temporary Permit Expired Yesterday. Terms of a permanent franchise for the Indianapolis Railways trackless trolleys are to be discussed at a meeting of utility and city,officials next week. Hubert S. liiley, Works Board president, has said. A temporary permit providing for 10 per cent of reconstruction and 5 per cent of resurfacing costs on streets where trackless trolleys operate expired yesterday. The board approved the reconstruction and resurfacing of 20th-st from Parker-av to Olney-st at an approximate cost of $30,281 yesterday. The Indiana Railroad is to relocate its track, and Indianapolis Railways is to pay costs as provided under the temporary permit. Property owners are to pay 25 per cent and the city the remainder. Catholics Re-elect President By l nitrd Prest SOUTH BEND, ind., March 21. Dr. Henry G. Schumacher. Cleveland, was retained as president of the National Catholic Conference in eiartions concluding a two-day meeting yesterday.

OUR BOARDING HOUSE

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FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS—

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WASHINGTON TUBBS II

/WELL, I LEARNED /NOW, DON'T TELLMfN /THE GAMBLERS ARE BACKING HIM. THE REASON FOR IHE DOES IT TO GIT EVE MCCOY'S THE BRAIN'S— HE’S TRYING TO A PUNKY MAGLEW'S / y_, MONEY. GET EVEN BECAUSE WE CLOSED UP

ALLEY OOP

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BOOTS AND HER BUDDIES

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THE TARZAN TWINS

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With amazement Tarzan saw now the elephant rushing toward him was not a foe. but a friend. By many markings he recognized him as the great fine beast he had known from childhood This was the elpehant he had first called Tantor, which was the ape-name for all elephants.

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THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES .

Many a time as a boy he had ridden on Tantor s broad back, rocking smoothly along a jungle trail. With a smile he recalled how Tantor often dozen until he tickled the great beast gently behind the ears. How he loved how Tantor had loved the boy!

—By Ahern

—4 OiMME THAT U-L GIMME PROVE PEOPLE MAKE EVEBSTOCV RAISE, AT 4-4- MINE, DOWT WANT TO BE HAPPY —TUEV'VE LASTf I/TS M TOO I EQUAL—THAT CHEAPENED THAT ABOUT TIME- j I JUST '" + " BIG GUV'LL NEVER RAISE BY GIVIN' TU' i = --\ I BEEN | ' HIT 'EM BE HAPPV WITH OTHER GUV ONE,TOO, Z = i-\ AFTER'EM Pi LAST -- THAT RAISE NOW, AND MADE IT WORSE 3 ;• V PER NEARLY j) A week / KNiOWIN' THAT BY OWE OETTiN' IT A YEAR \ A DUMB LOOKIN'GUY I WITH LEf>s EFf=o£X , H \ COT OWE TOO - \ AND MUCH 50CMEP I 1 0 u \ WATCH HIM-HE WONT ■(L \ .j| o\\ TALK ALL TW'REST \ nttl V 6av WC SCBVICC. INC. T. M. REG. XI. S. PAT. Off, THE HAPPV FAMILY i-ZJ _J

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In eager welcome he called out “Tantor! Tantor!” and the big elephant trumpeted a happy reply. The Jungle Lord knew now that his old friend was coming to aid him. but he could hardly reconcile this swift, agile beast with the gentle, sleepy Tantor of his youth.

OUT OUR WAY

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THEM WITH A& L FOOT/ -YOU'RE j fl GUESS MSBBEI WA9 WROWG, LftoKJlj HOLE IM THIS CAVE, i A WOMDEC.' SUSPECTIM 1 TH’ BOYS THIS TIME - j 'afT' awfi TOO, HE WONT HAVf ) I KJEVSC [T LOOKS AS IF THQC METHOD // ' NOTHIN' ON ME r'WOULDA THOUGHT OP &ITTIW TH' WIZER OUTA r 111 J. YOU - THAT/ THATCAV6 IS TK' T. . 21 -ITT

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111 WRONG, Mm OUT, I GUESS -1 SPOKE I

But mad Gudah saw and heard the on-rushing Tantor and knew him for a foe. With the sure instinct of the cornered beast, he determined to destroy his nearest foes before engaging the elephant. And the mo6t dangerous of these was the hairless thing which was both man and ape!

-U

—By Blosser

—By Hamlin

—By Martin

—Bv Edgar Rice Burroughs

—By Crane