Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-09-17

left theSho where she felt that she
was an unwelcome burden. Are you
sure"
oh Peter, l haven't told her, re
peated Mrs. Crawford distraught. "She
went to her room when you were here
and later went to talk to Dorothy"
She had not meant to tell him that as
comprehension flashed through his mind
she felt guilty. And yet he would have
found it ont sooner or later; it was as
well to straighten out the wretched stu
alton now, perhaps.
ITO Dorothy" Peter turned toward the
stairs as he repeated the words. Then
why, Dorothy must have" He glanced
at his aunt for confirmation, but she
avoided his eyes. Dorothy did it, then :"
And he dashed off up the stairs, two
at a time.
Dorothy's room was exquisite in the
light Of the amber shaded lamps And
at first glance its occupant was equally
beautiful. She lay on couch near the
open fire, playing with the great yellow
rose shat leaned toward her from a vase
on the table near by. Her silken ueg1-
gee, weighted with great heavy flowers,
embroidered in gold thread. clug to her
slim body csresSingly. And all the soft
light in the room seemed to be focused
on her wonderful red hair, which lay in
soft, deep waves about her face
And yet. despite its gorgeous color it
called attention not to itself, but to the
bandages which marred Dorothy's beauty.
And similarly, the girls loneliness was
lost on Peter. 10 whom she was the per
son who had taken from him the girl he
loved.
Dorothy" he began as he crossed the
room to her side, his voice gentle despite
the turmoil that was seething within
him. "Ninette has disappeared. Do you
know how this happens-did you tell her
that | was paying her expenses here. be
cause there was nothing left of her ia o.
theirs estate when he died?"
The sight Of her bandages had made
him lenient with her and he hoped that
she would make a clean breast of her
share in the affair, without his actually
accusing her.
"I-oh. how absurd why should
tell Ninette the TRUTH" she laughed soft
ly, slipping one delicate little hand into
his. Did you bring me that book we
talked about, Peter dear? And
Dorothy Peters voice was stern
enough now. Don't lie to me. know
that you told Ninette what the situation
is here and that II was this regulation
that has driven her from the house out
into the streets at night"
Well, what n l did? She lifted her
self on her cushions. tense. defiant. why
shouldn't she know, Id like to ask. Why
anybody but a silly little fool like Ninette
would have known long ago that you
were supporting her. I'm not sure that
she didn't know all the time. but just
-. g.
cent"
You shall no. say such things of her
you know that they aren't true. that
that little girl never had a thought OF
such n thing" Peter was tramping up
and down the room. his hands clenched
in his pockets, his face pale with i'm
potent anger.
You mean that she never let YOU
know that she had" retorted Dorothy
watching him with narrowed eyes
That will do, Never let me hear you
mention her name again" he cried at
that. so threatening that he shoulder
ing blaze Of Dorothys hatred Jared into
fame.
1t seems to ma that you act rather odd
for a man who is engaged to me-" she
told him deliberately. Why are you so
upset about Ninette? What does she
mean to you?"
For moment there was silence in the
beautiful room, a silence so significant
that after all the world seemed listening
to II.
Peter Strengthened his. shoulders and
glimpse OF his face was dispelled at
the thought of Ninette. For a moment
he forgot Dorothy, and the hopeless tan
gle into which his life had been twisted
And he answered softly:
She means everything in the world
to me-
(Another installment of this fascinating
story will appear MOnday)