The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-12
THE WAY OF Il WOMAN
By
BEL COLLIN

times helped Mr.. wolvaston out of diff
Guilty; ne had often demonstrated with him
privately on his growing habit of gambling;
he had pitied Mays forlorn life, and invited
her once or twice to visit his wife and
daughters. He was a head clerk in the
large business house in which George Dix
on was junior. Mr.. Wolvaston had once
been a rich man, a social equal OF the head
of the firm, and Mr.. Armitage still looked
up to him as a superior and felt it a terri
bic thing that poor young May, born to be
a lady, should be sacrificed as she was by
her fathers reckless selfishness. He had
been pleased to see the attachment between
her and George Dixon, who was fine.
honest, manly young fellow, sure to get
in the world. But now what was to
become of her? Everything was changed
In his kind yet practical mind. as they
walked down the street, a foremost thought
was whether, when all the trouble and dis
tress over, he should take May into
his house as governess TO his younger girls.
For he knew her to be thoroughly well edu-
Gated and full of talent, and he knew she
could teach them better than any one else
he knew.
MY dear child' he said, kindly, I'VE
must have a moment or two quiet. want
to prepare you for something. Come into
this restaurant-there is nowhere else
here where we can sit down."
They turned into a doorway and sat
down at the first table. The place was very
quiet and empty, for 1t was too early for
lunch. Only few people were sitting here
and there, that it quite possible to
talk without attracting any attention. A
waitress came for orders, and Mr.. Armi-
tage ordered some coffee.
NOW, Miss Wolvaston," he said, "I want
to tell you that there is suspicion of foul
play in respect to your fathers death. The
police think he was murdered-and 1t is
thought there is clew as to who has done
| the deed
who could have done such a dreadful
thns?" said May. ''It must have been
| some kind of accident"
1.-THE doctor thinks 1t may not have been
| the result of an accident. There are signs
of a struggle, but the injury may have
come from fall
| AS he spoke and hesitated May began to
remember vaguely the horrible dream of
the night, which, until now. had entirely
passed out of her memory.
even more ashen, and she gasped as she
repeated the word.
Mr.. Armitage, looking at her, was star
tied at the sudden change in her face and
wondered what it meant. Why did this one
word fill her with such sorrow?
with whom?" she asked, family.
| mo one knows for certain" said Mr..
Armitage glad that she had given him this
opening for what he was waiting to say;
mot for certain, but, Of course. the suspi-
cion must fall on the person he was last
seen with-especially as there was quar-
rel. He had tried to get your father to
leave the gaming table-that was how IL
was he was with him so late-and your
| father resented 1t. There was a quarrel
| and they were known to be quarreling as
| they went out into the street together and
| turned in the same direction in which Mr.
Wolvaston's body was afterward found"
"And the other?" asked May, speaking
with the greatest difficulty.
George Dixon has disappeared" said
| Mr.. Armitage. THAT is the worst feature
| in II all. Disappeared, and with large
sum of money upon him, as / know. j
| have ascertained that it was in his charge
yesterday and that it has not been deliv-
| cred, and he has not been seen in his lodg-
ings or anywhere else since the moment
| when he went into the street with your ia.
| ther.''
May had tainted; but she was only un-
conscious for a moment. She fell back In
her chair and her eyes closed. Mr.. Armi.
tage sprang up in Alarm, but before he
| could do anything she had recovered con-
seriousness, as If by great effort Of will.
| 1T was not Georgert she said, opening
the blue eyes full upon Mr.. Armitage and
speaking quite clearly and very positively
Heaven bless you, child!" he exclaimed
] "Pm thankful to see your eyes open again
you frightened me-
1T was not George" she repeated.
ST like to hear you say that so positive
ly." he said, sitting down again beside her;
ut is the way of a woman to believe in he1
lover against the strongest evidence. Blu,
1t looks black about George I must not
disguise that from you. 1t is my duty to
tell you So"
May rose to her feet; she was not very
steady upon them. but there was a look OF
fixed resolution in her eyes which showed
that she meant to use what strength she
| had to its utmost.
/ lou HuSl Sne SAID, Tor
don't know my way about London. I can
find George If you will help me. want a
| cab at once"
| Mr.. Armitage rose and gave her his arm
| full of genuine gladness and good feeling
Thank heaven,' he said. .I am more
thankful than l can say If George can be
| found and cleared from this dreadful
| charge"
| He led her out of the restaurant and
| they walked a little way till they saw a
passing cab. Mr.. Armitage stopped it and
May got in.
where shall I tell him to go?" asked
| Mr.. Armitage.
ITO the largest hospital he can think Of
any one will dol cannot tell him the name
| We may have to go to several before
| find the right ONE
| She spoke quietly and with confidence
but all the same Mr.. Armitage looked at
her in alarm. However he managed 10
| convey his order to the cabman without
letting him think they were going to drive
a poor young lady who had just gone out
of her wits from grief and a great shock
He got in and sat beside her, glancing now