Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-08-16
CHAPTER II.
Adopted by John Wheeler.

But the weeks went by, and the months,
and nobody seemed anxious to own
Ninette. and the grass grew rank and
uncared for over a nameless grave IN
BALKAN churchyard, and the room where
Ninette was born was re-let to n third
rate actor, who came home so drunk at
night that the bowling of the dogs in
the yard outside never disturbed him,
and Ninette grew up TO be a wild look
ing gypsy type Of child who played
about the gutter with boys Of her own
age (she did not like girls. and picked
up swear words and slang. both Of which
she used with fluency.
She was five years old then. and had
gone back to live under Mrs Purtons
roOf-nOt because Mrs Purton was par
ticulRrly anxious to have her, but be
cause the weekly payments which John
Wheeler still faithfully made 10 her came
in useful
Wheeler was the only soul in the world
for whom Ninette cared in the small
est degreee and she adored him.
She seemed to know instinctiyelY that
she owed what little happiness she
knew to him. and as soon as her chubby
legs were capable Of carrying her I'M
assisted up the stairs to his room, she
climbed 1t dozens Of times a day.
Wheeler was q journalist. one of the
struggling kind, who would always be
struggling; he was not in the least bril-
liant. but he was a plodder, ami could
always rely upon knocking up sufficient
money during a weekto pay for his own
modest needs, and those of Ninette.
Ii was he Wh0-when she was old
enOugh-taught her her alphabet and her
first nursery rhyme, the latter dug from
some unforgotten store cupboard Of his
memory.
There was an old woman who lived IN
a shoe,
She had so many children she did not
know what to do"
They made a quaint picture. the thin,
mournful-eyed man. sitting there in the
shabby room, lit by a solitary lamp,
with the child on his knee.
Her thick, dark hair was always IN
tidy and hung in tangles about her face,
and her clothes were always torn.
Mrs. Purton did her best, but she was
not getting any younger. and she had
really outgrovn her natural sympathy
and understanding Of anything so young
and unruly as Ninetts
Ninette broke into the middle Of the
recital to say;
Like auntle, eh?" She always called
Mrs. Purton "auntie."
John Wheeler checked a smile.
Not in the least like auntie." he said
severely. she doesn't live I'm a shoe.
and she hasn't got any children"
Got me. GOSH. Nlnette insisted.
She could never say John" Gosh"
being the nearest she could get TO It.
You spoil that child, Mr. Wheeler"
Mrs. Purton said somewhat severely.
What's going to become Of her I should
Ike to know? Why, you're making a
lady Of her.
She spoke as Il It were a crime to be
lady.
Her mother IVES lady" young
Wheeler said.
Mrs. Purtou tossed her head.
And a lot Of good It did her, she
seofted
There sesmed, however, no immediate
danger OF N3nette emulating her mothers
undOubted refinement, for, In spite
Of Wheelers attempts 10 check her. she
still swore terribly whenever she lost
her temper. and frequently came in from
the street with a black eye OF a cut lip.
which she had received in p stand up
fight with e hoy twice her size.
She'll improve when she goes To
school" John Wheeler told himself; hut
ne was wrong.
The owner Of the first school no sent
her 10, a prim maiden lady, gave up the
task Of educating her as hopeless at
the end OF the first fortnight.
"She terror.zes every girl IN the
school" 50 the prlm lady told John
Wheeler trembling. Il must really ask
you TO remove her"
III you love me, Nnette," John said
to the girl that night, you would try
to be good"
Ninette burst into tears.
al do love you, 1 do" she declared
passionstely. But oh. oil the girls
there were such foolsI'
But she took Wheeler's reproaches to
heart, and tried hard to he good and
Interested at the new school he found
for her.
She was Il. then, long legged and
gawky. but with a promise Of great
beauty, which Mrs. Purton deplored.
The very spit Of her mother. she is 1!
And her mother was good looking
enough. If You put it that way. And
much good her looks brought her. lying
there in a nRmeless grave and nobody
to shed tear
But Wheeler was proud of Ninette's
beauty. In his quiet way he had great
plans for her future. He pictured her
grown up and making a great marriage.