Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-08-17

took the watch gently from her hand
and laid Il down on the desk again.
Il don't think that will be OF much
use to you" he said "And, besides, it's
rather a treasured possession Of mine"
Ninette looked up with haggard eyes.
you are going to give me to po-
liceman? ?" she gasped.
81 am not"
She started at him disbelieyingly.
"What--what then ?" she gasped.
I'm going to give you some money and
let you go home" His voice was i'm
partial but not unkind 81 suppose
Wheeler's down on his luck, is that it,"
he turned sharply and looked at her.
" should not have said you were
thief" he ended
Her eyes blazed.
I'm not a thief" she flashed out
do you think l wanted that for my
self?" She indicated the watch DO
you think l care what happens to me
If Josh dies-and he is dying? Oh, it's
r-unfair-unfair! she cried. with a
wall of utter misery in her voice. why
| should you have a home like this and
money, and everything you want, when
he has nothing 1t is not fair
Its all wrong, and he's so good" She
was sobbing broken heartedly now. IF
it hadn't been for him I should have gone
TO the workhouse when l was born If
it hadn't been for him"
Nothard broke in sharply.
You'll make yourself i'll if you go
on like this. Stop crying and tell me
what really is the matter I'm sorry
If Wheeler is III, but 1t went help mat
tiers for you to have Mysteries"
Her tears stopped as il by magic; she
dried her eyes with a fierce little move
ment.
IF had known this was your house"
she said, Il would have dropped down
dead in the street before 1 would have
come inl'
He smiled at that there was 'such an
odd mixture OF childishness and world
WEAKNESS ia her voice.
Il do not natter myself that you have
any great love for me-" he said dryly.
The shortness of our acquaintance
hardly makes it possible, but perhaps
later on you viii change your mind"
She rose to her feet the half banteriug
tone in which he spoke goaded her to
madness.
Let mo 60" she stammered I am
sorry I came. I don't want your money !;
don't want anything from you. Let
me go"
He barred the way. with his arm out
stretched
How often do you treat Wheeler to
these scenesf' he asked, half curiously.
half impatiently. BE sensible. and sit
down again. ! want to talk to you"
Il want to 90. I hate you-I hate
this house"
II you insist on going SHAH DO as
n great many men would have already
done In my place aud call q policeman, f."
no said quietly.
Her mouth fell open, and the Gre dad
from her eyes she sat down meekly
enough without another word.
That's better" Nothard said. Now
then. what's the matter with Wheeler %
Hes had pneumonia; he's been III six
weeks. and we've spent all we've got, and
he can't work" Her eyes were raised 10
his handsome face for a moment with Bit
ter hatred. Il wrote that article you said
was rUbbish-the one about autumn
dare say you're right. and It is rubbish.
I've never tried before, and now-l don [
suppose ] shall ever try again. Hes
voice fell away miserably; she sat rub
bling her cold. thln hands together
mechanically.
what do Won generally do with your
self" be demanded after a moment.
She shrugged her shoulders.
Anything! Nothing / wanted 10 earn
my own living, but Josh didn't like the
idea Of It. He had sort OF idea Of
bringing me up to be a lady. My mother
was a lady" she added proudly. Her
eyes sent him a furious challenge
But, fortunately for him, Nothard did
not smile.
How old are youf" he asked.
She answered after the barest possible
hesltaucy.
Il shall be eighteen next birthday
And what relation are you to
Wheeler"
None; he paid for me when was
born. Ny uother died then. and there
was no one else, and Josh psid-he all
ways has paid-or 1 should have gone
to the workhouse."
II see" He walked over to the fire
and stood looking down at the CHEEKY
blaze for a moment silently, then he
turned again. If you wait a moment
Ill send for taxi and drive you home.
It's somewhere Hammersmith way isn't
/ it?"
Eyes"
He went out Of the room, leaving the
door open, and Nlnetto heard him
speaking on the telephone. Presently he
came back.
MY houseBeeper is out" be said.
That's how you happened to md the
house empty, but II you1l lend me a
hand well pack up some things for
you to take to Wheeler"