Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-09-01
The STORY of NINETTE
BY RUBY NJ. AYRES
RUB Y M. YRES

Mrs. Delay is out, miss" said the
girl as Ninette passed inside, but if you
viii ring, If you want any help, l can
arrange anything that's necessary"
Nlnette went upstairs to her bed
room. Everything was as she had left it,
except that the counterpart had been
folded ack and the sheets turned down
In readiness for her to sleep the night
before. Evidently the servants had
known nothing of the reason of Nj
nettes sudden departure, and were ex
pectins her to sleep there again.
She was in the middle of her pack
ing when a mans step in the corridor
outside startled her She guessed quite
rightly it was Arthur Delays, but none
the less she had not expected to see him,
as he usually was absent at business at
this hour.
She had left the door open and there
was nothing to prevent him entering
which he did without ceremony.
'Ninette," he said hoarsely, standing
in the open door. I'm glad you've come
back. I was just off to business, but
heard you talking to the maid and | fol-
lowed you up. I've something | want to
say to you"
de waited for her to reply, but she
did not speak. There seemed to be moth
ing to say.
Il wanted to tell you I'm sorry for
for what happened yesterday"
Don't you think you had better catch
your trainf" said Ninette calmly she
was not afraid Of him now. Besides,
your wife might return at any mo-
ment, and 1t wouldn't do you any good
would it, to be found In here alone with
me?"
Il can catch a later train" he said
land my wife won't be back for half an
hour. want you to say that you for
give me before I go"
ITS not me who ought to forgive
you" said Ninette quietly. Its Mar
garet you should ask for forgiveness
'Yes-yes-of course said Delay but
l can't bear that you should think wrong
Of me somehow. l suppose its because
love you-you knew | shall always love
you, whether its right or wrong. Since
Yesterday I've been in agony-wonder-
ing what you were thinking Of me
wondering If you desPlsed me"
Yes said Ninette simply, 81 do"
Delay was slightly taken abAck
you see" Ntnette went on, II do
spise every man who takes advantage Of
friendless girl to make love to her
It's beasts like you that make girls go
wrong.
He was Disconnected by her sudden
vehemence and candor.
Il was coming to that" he said sud
denly. Il was going to say that IL
through any fault of mine you are In
any dnficulty-m money or anything else
I should be only too glad to help you
Your help would be worth a lot,
should think" said Ninette with quiet
scorn.
"I'll help you to any extent" he re-
piled. III you are shert Of money and
want some to go on with. to pay for your
rooms or hotel, or wherever you are
staying. ! shall be pleased to write you
check for any amount you care to
name.
DO you think would accept help
from you 2" Ninette said proudly.
j ust as YOU like" Delay replied. you
can look upon IT as a loan sc you Ike.
1t doesn't seem anything outra geous to
me. After all, 1t was through me that
you have been Put to such Inconvenience.
and l am merely Offering to compensate
you"
Il see" said Ninette proudly. "Hav-
ing discredited me in the eyes Of your
servants turned the esteem Of one Of
the best friends I've ever had into bitter
hatred, you estimate the damage in
money! Peter viii be interested
Peter" he said sharply go you went
to him last night, did you?'.
mo, replied Ninette, Il went to Cav
anagh."
Delay Redeemed angrily.
"Cavanagh So ! was right when l
suspected him. was II" he cried. 80
after all your wounded pride amounts to
nothing really. | needn't have wasted
my pity on you!"