Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-08-16
CHAPTER III.
The Beginning of Trouble.

Josh peered at her over his glasses
and shook her head.
"Auntie Purton says I ought to be
taught to earn my own living" Ninette
Informed him. she thinks II / went into
Birds. the diapers, It would be nice"
Wheeler made a little grimace He
knew Birds, the Diapers n small dark
shop, that smelt Of American cloth and
bales Of unbleached calico, and he could
not imagine Ninette standing behind Its
counter measuring out yards Of ribbon.
There's plenty of time he said. How
old are you?"
Fourteen. Lots Of girls have left
school long before they are A." said
Ninette hopefully.
That's because their people can't afford
to keep them on, perhaps" he answered
She looked at him with her dark head
on one side.
Can you afford It, them" she asked.
yes said Josh firmly.
Ninette got up and threw her arms
round his neck.
You're the loveliest man in the world"
she said
Wheeler hlushed
He loved Ninettes affection. though its
demonstration always embarrassed him.
Mrs. Purton IS calling you" he said.
Gosh. IS she really my aunt7' she
asked suddenly.
It was the first time she had ever
queried the relationship.
Wheeler hesitated. He had never told
Ninette about her birth, but he was fully
aware that some day be would have to
do so.
she has been as good 10 you as II you
were really her niece" he said at last
firmly
That means I'm not" she said. with
an air Of relief I'm so glad!'
He looked at her curiously.
why" he asked.
Because, though she's very kind. She
Isn't lady" said Ninette deaantly. "And
] should like to belong to some one who
was a lady"
There was little silence.
Ladies'" said Josh Wheeler. don't
swear like you do. Ninette."
1t seemed to him a most excellent op-
portunity for a little humility, but MIN
cite only laughed.
"Oh, yes. they do.' she said. * cen
the postmRn. you know-told ne that his
wife was lady's maid to a duchess once.
and that she swore something awful and
threw things about the room
"Oh 80 said Wheeler blankly. he wait
ed, then added Your aunt is calling You
again. Njuette"
oh, blowr' snid Ninette.
Ninette was 10 when. quite suddenly
Mrs. Purbon died. One minute she was
appa rently as well and full Of energy as
ever. and the next moment she was lying
face downwards on the kitchen floor.
stone dead.
Ninette was with her at the time and
Q Of . he - Fl
Il don't feel as n i can ever laugh
again. Josh" she told Wheeler that night
as she crouched beside him-her hands
clasped round her knees. look Of hor-
ror on her young face. "One minute TO
he alive and well, and the next-like
that
ut was how she always wished to die. "
J osh said gently, remembering how Mrs.
Purton had always expressed a horror Of
a long illness and having to lie In bed,
"a burden TO every one"
But he felt her loss greatly himself
and as soon as the funeral was over and
Mrs Purton's relatyes-who had never
visited her in her life. but came to fight
over her few sticks in death-had taken
possession OF the house, he found some
rooms at Hammersmith and took Ninette
away with him.
She was deIlghIed at the Change. or
days she amused herself dallying az
housekeeping and rearranging the few
odds and ends which belonged to them.
II hope we shall he able TO live Ike
this for the rest Of our lives, JOSH" she
said fervently.
But at the end Of a week the novelty
had palled, as he knew 1t would. and
she was restless and unsettled.
What would you like to do :" he asked
her, when she complained of having moth
ing to do. 81 don't want you to go ont
and work but If you would like to-"
I'D rather do anything than stay at
home all day" she answered vehemently,
Josh sighed. He supposed she was
right, and yet 1t had been his greatest