Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 April 1937 — Page 18

| PAGE 18

FRAID 70

by MARION WHITE

CAST OF CHARACTERS Joan Barrett, heroine, secretary John Hendry. John Hendry, mining investment head. Bob Andrews, Hendry’s junior partner and Joan’s fiance. Sybil Hendry. socialite, John Hendry’s niede and Joan’s rival in love. Philip Hendry, Sybil’s brother. Porethy Starke, Joan's girlhood friend. Charles Norton, California mining promoter,

Yesterday: Philip, just out of jail and badly in need of money, agreed to help Sybil investigate Joan’s background,

CHAPTER SIX

OAN sat at her desk in the tiny office adjoining Mr. Hendry's and watched the ships on the river below. The office was quiet this morning, with only a skeleton force on hand. Ordinarily she did not come in herself, but today Mr. Hendry was leaving town for a few weeks to look over new mining properties, and there probably would be some urgent details which he would wish to turn over to her. The Queen of Bermuda had just slipped away from her pier, and “now seemed to stand still for a moment in midstream before turning her nose toward the open Atlantic. In the sunlight the ship was a gleaming white palace, beckoning her, as it were, to the magic sundrenched paradise of palm trees and hibiscus. She heard fhe door to her office open behind her, and she turned quickly. It was Bob. » | 2 “0? That's all you have to do this morning? Watch the ships go by?” He came over to her side, caught her hands in his.” Then, lowering his voice: “Do you think I could steal a kiss during business hours?” : Joan smiled up at him, “Mr. Hendry would be certain to catch you doing it.” “Then—"! he kissed her quickly —“jt’s all right, because we know he’d approve.” ; “We know nothing of the kind,” Joan corrected merrily. pects us, most of all, to uphold the “dignity of the company. However,” and her eyes sparkled mischievously, “it’s all right for the moment, because he’s busy on the phone.” “Good!” He kissed her again, not so quickly phis time. “I hope he talks forever.” “He won't, It's long distance.” “Too bad, However, as long as he’s talking, he won't .be wondering what's; keeping me. Know what he wants to see me for? “He didn’t say.” i = ” 2 OR a moment they stood there at the window, hands clasped together, listening for the click that would [mark the end of the phone call. i Presently Bob said: “The Queen looks beautiful this morning doesn’t she?” I Joan modded. “It’s strange,” she said, “this is the first time I've really noticed her. And she’s probably been sailing from that same pier for months and months.” “For a couple of years, at least.” Then, after a moment’s thought: “Joan, there's an idea for us . . . Why can’t. we sail off on her in a few weeks? Bermuda's just the place for a honeymoon. What | about it?” Eagerly, he read her face for an | answer. Joan gasped. “Bob, dear, not in a few weeks .,.” “Why not?” “I just can’t, Bob. Truly There's so much to do... “What?”

I can't.

2 ” 2

H, just everything”. she said inanely, trying to itemize the many details in her own mind. “I have no clothes . . .” “You have plenty of clothes” he contradicted. “And we can get summer things in Bermuda.” : ‘There’s the office. I can’t just run off and leave my work.” ‘You can arrange to leave it for a week or two,” he insisted, his voice deep with persuasion. “Then you can come back and straighten everything out before leaving permanently. Joan, darling, there’s nothing to wait for. Why, when I go out to the Inn every night and sit in my little cubby-hole of a room, knowing you're all alone in your old maids’ roost here in town . .. well, it all seems so senseless that I sweak I'll carry you off by force the next) day. Joan, will you marry me next week?” “Next week?” she repeated weakly. “But Mr. Hendry will be away for three weeks. He'll need me here while he’s gone.” “No, he won't. Miss Meade can take care of anything special. We can get married Saturday morning, Joan. That gives ‘you a whole week to buy clothes.” . “But—" The inter-office phone on Joan's desk gave a sudden click. “Mr. Hendry’s just hung up, Bob. He'll be waiting for you.” “All right. But I'm going to tell him were both taking a week off . . .. He disappeared into the other office. » » ” OAN remained at the window, her heart beating with a wild, sweet excitement. For over two weeks now, ever since the Frolic, Bob had been continually urging her to set a definite date for their wedding. She had begged for time to make some sort of preparation, yet now she asked herself what all this preparation meant, anyway. A few new dresses — lingerie in luxurious abundance—a hope chest filled to overflowing with linens and embroideries . . . were those things, after all, so altogether important? People did get married on the spur of the moment. In the newspapers, it always sounded delightfully dramatic, yet it would not be her way. She would want to be sure of the road ahead. There was so much that was terrible on the road backward. She wondered if it were that thought which still stood between them, if it was that which made her hesitate at the thought of marriage. But no. She had put the past out of her mind forever! She would never look back again—not ever.

# » » |

HE turned and looked down the S river again. The Queen was well under way, her colors flying galantly in the breeze as she steamed out into the mighty, endless Atlantic. Today the sky was clear and - cloudless, but if storms lay over the horizon, it made no difference. The ship would sail on, valiant and

“He ex-|

} 2

set, straight. There was no wavering once a mariner set his course. “I have set my course, too,” Joan told herself. “There’s only one way for me to sail now—and that is straight ahead.” For the first time she realized how simple it all was. A quiet wedding, a quick taxi trip to the ship, and within a few minutes Joan Barrett would be lost in the past, forever, as Mrs. Robert Andrews sailed off into a new world of her own making. Suddenly she knew that the moment Bob came out of Mr. Hendry’s office, she would agree to his plan. The things she had thought important — the bridal finery and embroideries—these were but the details of ‘marriage. They would all come in time. The real joy was the culmination of this happiness they had found together. # HE buzzer over her desk sounded, indicating that she was wanted in Mr. Hendry’s office. She picked up her notebook and went in, wondering whether Bob. had spoken of their plans as yet. They were both watching the door as she entered. Mr. Hendry smiled brightly. “I tell you, Bob,” he teased, “she’s a new girl since she took an option on you. Look at her eyes sparkle—there now, don’t blush. It’s the truth. I swear, it makes me feel like a young fellow again, just to see the two of you in love.” Bob grinned foolishly. “Would it break your heart, young

” z

courageous, because her course was

[ove

lady,” Mr. Hendry went on, “if I deprived you of young Lochinvar for a few weeks?” : i Joan tried not to show her aston: ishment. Mr. Hendry had planned himself to go away .. . | “For a few weeks?” she repeated; wondering what to say. Bob caught her eye and flashed a message she could not quite understand. Evidently, however, he had not found an opportunity to discuss their own affair. «I think I can endure it,” she added quickly. “There's a great deal I have to do myself.” She thought again of shopping sprees. F-3 ” ” «x’'M glad of that,” Mr. Hendry I said. “The fact is, I've been feeling sort of low the past few days —my annual touch of the grippe, I suppose—and I thought Bob might look into these properties for me.” “Of course.” From the expression on Bob's face, she knew now that he was willing to forgo their own plans and take over the mission. That was the message he was trying to give her. ) “I can probably get back within a week or 10 days,” Bob said. “Two weeks at the most.” . “I’m sure you can,” Hendry agreed. “California isn’t as far off as it once was.” California! Joan paled. Would she always tremble whenever the name of that state was mentioned? After all, the Hendry .organization financed a dozen mines in California. It didn’t mean anything. ...

(To Be Continued)

Daily Short Story

HE WHO HESITATES—By Thomas Weber

RAIDY cat . . , Iraidy cat... . This taunt had first been flung at Stefan in primary school where he had been too timid to participate in any of the games. The words had eaten into his very soul, had haunted. him. Then, the humiliating name had reared up again in high school—had been tagged to him when he had refused to hit a fellow who had called him yellow for letting another fellow steal his girl. Now, 10 years after the echo of the words had died away with his graduation from high school, they were roaring in his ears louder than ever—applied to. him this time by himself, As he sprawled on his divan, smoking "his pipe, he lashed himseif with the phrase. Praidy cat . . . fraidy cat.|. . . His schoolmates had been right. That's what he was—a coward. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so spineless where Stella was concerned.

= o =

E had met Stella at a dance two months ago and, from the first, she had done much to overcome his innate shyness. She had put him at ease more than any girl he had ever known. It hadn’t been long before he realized that he was in love with her. But with this realization, his old timidity had returned. He longed to take her in his arms—to tell her that he loved her—but every time he

| had brought himself to the point of

pouring out his heart to her, he had quailed and checked himself even as’ the words were on the tip of his tongue. He just couldn't bring himself to the point of speaking, for fear of what her answer might be. Then, one evening at a bridge party, Stella had met Gray Burke, and Stefan had noticed that she. Loemned to be instantly attracted to im, All evening, she had aimed most of her conversation at Gray, had openly flirted with him.

” » #”

TEFAN, watching, had been filled ‘with dismay, which had rapidly developed into an agony of jealousy. Taking her home afterward, he had been miserable and, in his desperation, had almost spoken his love but, once again, the words had been choked off. Since that bridge party, he had scarcely seen her. When he phoned her, she would say, “Not tonight, Stefan—I have to work late,” or “I'm so tired, I'm going to stay home and go to bed early.” Then, Stefan would spend the evening tormented by the fear that he was losing her—that perhaps her excuses were lies to hide the fact that she was going out with Gray. With that thought, despair would overwhelm him,

= ” =

| was on one of these nights when Stella had refused to go out with him, that he lay sprawled on his divan, smoking his pipe, and lashing himself for his cowardice. Fraidy cat . . . fraidy cat . . , Stefan gritted his teeth. All his life, he had been losing things because it hadn't seemed worthwhile to fight for them. But they had all been little things. Stella was different. He loved her—and if he had gry backbone, he would fight for er} On a sudden impulse, he pocketed his pipe and rose from the divan. “So she never has time to go out with me,” he muttered. “Well, we'll just see WHY she hasn't time!” Picking up the phone, he called Stella’s number. With mounting suspicion, he waited. “Sorry, sir,” said the operator, “but there's no answer.” “But I'm sure some one is home—" “There's no answer, sir , , .”

» # »

UDDEN, blinding fury through Stefan, phone down, “She can’t go out with me, but she can run around with someone else!” he gritted through clenched teeth, “I'll just see about this!” He flung his coat on, grabbed his hat, and started for the door. There he stopped, weakening. “Shall IT make an ass of myself by going over to her place and waiting for her?” He debated with himself only a minute. Frenzied once more by the thought of losing her, he wrenched the door open, and dashed down the stairs to the street.

» » »

TELLA lived only a short distance away. Walking rapidly, he soon turned into her block.

swept He flung tne

He stood across the street from

windows of her little apartment. There were no lights there. So he was right—she was not at home. Unless—unless she had gone to bed and had been so sound asleep that the phone had not awakened her. . . . Faintly, this hope stirred within him, He crossed the street, and took up a position in the doorway of the house. The minutes dragged, and he shivered in the cold night air. He lit his pipe. It went out half a dozen times, until finally he ran out of matches. The hope that he had been mistaken and that she might be upstairs sound asleep began to grow on him. “If she doesn’t show up in a little while, I'll go home,” he told himself. It was a few minutes later that a sport car drew up «ft the curb. Stella and Gray! Stefan, flattening himself against the wall in the dark doorway, heard Stella’s happy laugh, saw her climb out of the car. “Good night, darling,” she said. Then, the car was rolling away, and Stella was coming toward the doorway,

” tJ = TEFAN, his emotions at the boiling point, stepped forth to confront her. “Stefan!” she cried. “What brings you here at this hour?” “So you've been out with Gray!” he said furiously. “But you were too tired to go out with me!” She drew herself up. - “What I do with my time is my own affair, Stefan.” Stefan seethed. “Well, understand this—I love you! And—and I'll be darned if Ill sit back— and . .. ” His words trailed off, and his courage oozed away.

2 n ” TELLA’S eyes suddenly glittered —but not from anger. “Stefan,” she said softly, “don’t you remember me? You never paid any attention to me—probably never even knew my name—but I was that little girl in pigtails who started all the other children calling you ‘fraidy cat’ at school. When I met you at that dance, I remembered you at once—and liked you. But then, later, it began to look as though you were just the same old Stefan—just letting things go because you were afraid. THis—turning you down and going out with Gray—was the only way I could teli whether. you were still a fraidy cat... > Stefan took one impulsive step toward her—then hesitated. “Fraidy cat,” she whispered. He swept her fiercely into his arms, , ,., THE END

(Copyright, 1937, by United Feature Syndicate, Inc.)

The characters in this story are fictitious. er —————————————

Ask The Times

Inclose a 3-cent stamp for reply when addressing any question of fact or information to The Indianapolis Times " Washington Service Bureau, 1013 13th St., N. W., Washington, D, C. Legal and medical advice cannot be given, nor can extended research be undertaken,

Q—Is death from heart disease increasing in the United States? A—The death rate due to heart disease per 100,000 of the population in 1920 was 159.1, and in 1930 it was 205.5. > Q—In what musical comedy did Julia Sanderson sing “Tea for Two”? A—“No, No, Nanette.” Q—How accurate are the forecasts of the United States Weather Bureau? A—Verification of their forecasts shows 85 per cent or more to be correct. Q—What is the address of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers? A—30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City. Q—Has the U. 8S. Government ever issued a $3 bill? A—No. Q—What was the last year of the fifteen century? A—1500 A. D.. Q—How does altitude affect the voiling temperature of water? A—The boiling point of water is 212 degrees F. at sea level, and it decreases 1 degree for every 550 feet of elevation. Q—When and for what price did the United States purchase Alaska? A—It was purchased from Russia by a treaty signed March, 30, 1867, Nor $7,200,000 in gold. Q—When soup is served in cups should it be drunk from the cup or sipped from a spoon? : A—Both methods are considered proper.

her house, and looked up at the

Q—How does the per capita debi

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES . OUT OUR WAY

By Williams

. TT

SMACK. ~ I'M GOIN’ OUT TONIGHT, DADDY ~YOU DON'T MIND IF I TAKE THE CAR, DO YOU,DADDY? M-M- SMACK. .... AND SHE GETS ITS SO I'M GOIN’ TO PULL TH’ SAME MUSH ON YOU ~~ SMACK - MAMA, DARLING, SMACK - CAN YOU GET TH’ CAR FOR. ME, TONIGHT ? SMACK «.

Zn =|: Ves >

el a 0, = =

x 27

4 Fs 2)

gRWnLLAMS | HY MOTHERS GET GRAY. IMARMiVAL ce me. 4-2

_ TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1087 FLAPPER FANNY

By Sylvia:

| Lh din nude, wits hae

Wore

believe in signs.”

( "-NOW AH \ ANOWS WHUT TH TROUBLE /5/HE |S L/L ABNER AWRIGHT BUT SOMETHIN:

STRANGER P“WiLL YOU- “TH OA4Y MARRY ME? JL) ABNER WOULD

H. FACT THET HE IS SO mice TIE PROVES

y / —_— CL _-

~~ Ld

JET YES" Mv ADORABLE.

OR -

United Feature Syndicate Ine US Pat Off —Al righta reserved

D0 AR A AH D-DONT KNOW WHUT T'SAY”

“Now, honey, it’s stupid to be superstitious.” “Maybe so, but I'll bet any traffic cop can make you

—By Al Capp |

(1m GOING GOOFY WITH ALL THE GRIEF I'VE BEEN GETTING INTO! T wroTE THE PLAY AS BEST I KNEW HOW, AND IF You THINK ITM GONNA RE.

NOW, LISTEN! IF WE EXPECT TO RAISE ENOUGH MONEY FROM THIS PLAY TO BUY UNIFORMS FOR THE BASEBALL TEAM, | WE'LL ALL HAVE TO CoO-OoPERATE !

ALLEY OOP BECAUSE. DINNY WAS TOO BIG TO FOLLOW FOO1ZY'S TRAIL THRU THE BIG TREES, OOP HAD T0 GO ON, ALONE. WE NOW FIND HIM, BRUISED AND BATTERED, AT THE FOOT OF A MOUNTAIN, WITH NO WAY OF RETURNING TO DINNY-AND...

POOR FOGLY-A PRISONER OF SOME STRAY BUNCH OF MOUNTAIN GORILLAS! THERE'S NO TELLIN WHAT AWFUL FATE 1S IN STORE FOR HIM ? OH, ME, I'VE JUS’ GOTTA FIND ''"M 'FORE IT'S TOO LATE!

LOST FOOZY'S }1 TRAIL XL7Y

wl rane

eae

TEP SEN Brey were,

HORIZONTAL

"HAH! THA'S GOOD! GO ON, FOOZY-TEL

Answer

rrr iin

—By Hamlin

AN’ THEN, ON TH' BACK OF MY BIG DINOSAUR, 1 CHARGED THEM MUGS FROM TH’ HILLS OF KAR! WITH MY TRUSTY AX SWINGIN’ LEFT AN’ RIGHT, IM a TELLIN’ YOU, BOYS, 1 i ENDED THAT = FIGHT! A

_—

hy — \"COPR.197 BY NEA SERVICE. INC. T. M. REG. U.S. PAT. OFF.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

to Previous Puzzle have ee

1 Who is the |[D

AMO

man in the

LIAN

interests.

NIDIRE [X|T 15 Newspapeg

m = m

=< IL >|0

picture?

12 Mother. 13 Flower. 14 To vex.

16 Combined 18 Exultant. 20 To scatter 21 Inlet. 23 Wing.

official. 17 Made a mistake, 19 Alleys 22 Morindin aye, 23 Paid publicity 26 To get things ready.

mi0|—

24 Monkey. S

25 You and me, (C

O—ZZ> Omi OL 0MDIO— DMG >

0 >OOEZ|—|- lO» Zz

26 Preceding. 29 Mountain. 30 God of war. 31 Glazed earthenware.

35 Intention. 37 More painful. ; 53 39 Tree fluid. 56 40 To come in 41 Vagrant. 42 Capita) of his country. 44 Vegetable mold. 46 God of love. 47 High mountain. 48 Toward.

Before.

51 Northeast.

Laughter sound.

33 Having lobes. 53 Organ of

hearing, Senior. Chum.

57 He just con-

cluded a

agreement with Great

Britain.

58 He iS ===

minister.

VERTICAL 1 Horses’ neck

DID IME WMD

27 One. 28 Spherical particle.

30 To subside. 32 Dowdy persofy 34 Hops kiln. 35 Form of “a.” |. 36 Myself. 38 Mooley apple 40 Loom bar - 42 Choir of eight voices 43 Bad in a greater dee gree. 44 Goblet. 45 Not fresh. _ 49 Rowing took. $2 Third-rate

Omir im ln Z[0/0 =AMO ROMO O>EI

—|>|0

—H>|O|XBO—[Ollr|—I< 1IMZIMEEmoO >Em-m 0 1 ZO0MIH CIO

0 C

hairs. 2 Among 3 Pussy. 4 Small whirlpools $ North America, 6 Hissing sound. 7 Exists. 8 Skin over eye 9 God or war 10 Insects’ eggs. 11 Stream of light. actor 12 Canada and 54 Sun god United States 56 3.1416.

m——

1 2

4 |S

e [7 0 |i

“I don’t think that new presser has much experience—he’s always putting +a sheet of

carbon paper between two pairs of pants.”

| a

in the United States compare with | ministration start to give American male population in the United

that in England and France? flags to relatives of deceased war |states. A—The most recent estimates are: | veterans? How large are the flags? A—The 1930 census United States, $266; Ehgland, $761,| A—In March, 1923. The flags are and France, $517. five by nine and one-half feet. When did the Veterans Ad-| Q-—Does the female exceed r § wh RE : oie 3 & GER x FIR INR hr 8

- oF i.

the | males,

enumerated 62,137,080 ‘males and 60,637,966 fe-

Brill,

persons only, |

Let the young travel cautiously, as becomes their age, and let their elders, more seasoned, take the dangerous curves—Magistrate Jeanette New York City, parked car petting for middle-aged

advocating

Automobile knees are the curse of this generation . . . people spend most of their lives with their arms draped lovingly around steering wheels.—Glenn Thistlethwaite, football coach at University of Rich-