Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-08-18
Continued From YeSterddy)
CHAPTER VII.
A NeU Home.
He went on his knees beside her and
raisrd her head hn his arm.


He went on his knees beside her and
raised her head On his arm.
Fetch some water, can't yOu:' he
shouted anGrily. Standing there star
ing! If it's your precious money YOU
are afraid Of, I'll see you don't lose it!
wonder you're not ashamed to call
yourself a woman"
He Lathed Nfnettes face, but she
showed no signs OF life.
Lay her down fat, sir" the man sug-
gested. That's the way with wmmin
in faint. Lay her down fat and rub
er ands."
Nothard did as he was told, not be-
cause he believed in the advice, but
because he was at his wits end to know
what to do.
1t was a pathetic scene-the dark,
miserable hall, the drab woman, and
her husband, and Ninette, lying there
so white and helpless.
And suddenly Nothard knew how I'M
possible It would be to leave her there
all night with these people; they would
drive her mad with their heartlessness
and vulgarity, and with pitiful 'ncon-
gruity Ninettes own words came back
to him:
He had a sort of idea Of bringing
me up as a lady; my mother was i
ladyr
Poor Ninette Nobody had ever called
to Nothard for pity as she did then,
and with sudden resolution he rose to
his feet.
I've got n taxi waiting outside. Help
me carry her; I'll take her away from
this house"
30 FuA sha Y
And what about my money? How
do [ know / shall ever see it?
She was not as utterly heartless az
she seemed but life had dealt hardly
with her and the greatest thing IN the
world. TO her way of thinking, was
money; money bought beer and forget
fulness,
IF your husband likes to come along
with me III give him some money"
Nothard said harshly. ION condition
you look after that poor devil upstairs
and behave yourselves"
Between them they carried Ninette to
the waiting taxi and drove away again
through the darkness.
Nothard sat frowning before him.
What the devil was he going 70 do with
the girl aud why had he yielded TO
this impulse to bring her with him?
His housekeeper would be home by now
certainly. but she would probably
be horribly scandallzcd; he wondered
how on earth he would be able to ex-
plain things to her.
The man opposite him spoke
Mice gentleman. M. Wheeler was.
sir I'm sure we always did our best
for him, me and my mlssus; but We
are poor ourselves
81 1s. n
dered if he would ever forget that dark
cherries bedroom, with the Pickering
candle Light falling on a dead mans
face. lie had known Wheeler for years
a a vague, quiet figure, fitting In and
out Of the office always willing to do
any job that might be going, never
asking for an increase in pay; getting
older and shabbier year by year, aud
he wished now from the bottom OF his
soul that he had done something for
him before il was too late.
There must be many such cases as
his in the world he knew, but until
today the fact had had not seemed to
touch his own life; It was as If q rude
hand had roughly torn from his eyes II
soothing curtain that carefully screened
from his vision all the ugly spots OF
the world.
Ninette stirred family beside him
and moved her hand. 1t touched his,
recofed, then sought it again tmidIy.
Josh"
Nothard's hand closed about her
fingers.
Its all right" he said as gently as
he could. I'VE shall soon be home"
She seemed content; she was only
half conscious. and he breathed a sigh
OF thankfulness when the drive was
ended.
he let himself into the house and
sought his housekeeper; she was one OF
the old fashioned, very prim, and
thoroughly Trustworthy sort
She listened TO his stumbling explain
alton calmly enough-nothing disturbed
her serenity greatly-and when be had
finished she saids
You wish the young lady to stay
here sir? Very WELL l will get 4 bed
room ready"
Nothard was unutteabIy relieved; he
went back to the cab. lifted Ninette in his
arms and took her into the library.
from which he had departed but an hour
ago so full Of hope
He put her down in the big chair, made
up the fire and went out into the hall,
whore the man with the loud laugh
waited
He was not laughing now; he stood
neryously tViddling his cap and staring
about him
Nothard gave him three pounds and
promised to call round again in the
morning.
Il will bear all expenses" he said.
"You need not be afraid"
He hustled the man out Of the house
cutting short his profuse gratitude; then
he went back to Ninette.