Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-09-10

soul every time their eyes met, and
aroused a queer longing in his heart
What was to become of her? Would
she carry out her oft-made threat I'D
marry some man merely for money? His
eyes turned to the face of the man be-
side her nova man not very young,
not in the least good looking, but. II
gossip spoke truly a man rich enough
to tempt any woman.
When Nothard had spoken to- his aunt
about it. her answer had been charac-
teristic.
''My dear boy, Ninette must marry
It's her only hope What do you think
Is to become Of her?'
There was a certain amount Of truth
in the argument, he knew, but it an
gered him all the same.
When dinner was over be found his
way to Ninette's side in the drawing
room She moved her skirts a little, to
make room for him, and met his eyes
unsmilingly.
Dorothy looks very beautiful to-
night" she said with a sort of slow
elaboration that made him frown.
He glanced across the room, to where
Dorothy sat.
'Yes," he agreed, without enthusiasm.
Its very romantic-that you two
should be going to be married, after ALL
Ninette went on. at only shows that
there is some romance in the world
still"
You seem very interested in my af-
fairs" he was stung to retort.
She turned her dark eyes TO his -
We'll, why not? You said we were.
friends" He bit his lip.
''Yes-we are-friends" He spoke
hesitatingly, but there was something In
his eyes that made Ninette fear to meet
them, even though she longed with all
her heart to do so.
Then for one glorious instant she met
his gaze; her heart seemed to 1utter in
her throat, she could not breathe, and
yet she had never known such happiness.
"Ninette-" the man cried, bending
over her. "Ninette-"
Dorothy" It was a Mortified shrek
that made Ninette turn cold all over.
as if a sudden breath from the grave
had swept over her.
Instantly all was pandemonium- Mrs,
Crawford screaming, ran wildly to Peter.
The Observation-Disclosures Her
words were almost unintelIigible, and
Peter dashed past her to the far end of
the long drawing room, where the but
Ter and one of the men were rolling over
and over on the floor a limp figure
wrapped ia smothering rugs.
It's out. now, sir, THE butler told him.
rising to his feet
Her whole dress seemed to CATCH"
exclaimed the other men tenderIy lifting
Dorothy's slim little form and carrying
it TO a couch. 1T famed UP in an in
slant. She leaned over that candeIabrz
to light cigarette and instantly"
But Peter, not needing him, was bend
ing over Dorothy
There were great, Iivid burns across
the delicate little face and her glorious
red hair was a singed. blackened ne~s.
Her arms, her round white shouIdersS
everywhere the fire had laid its scarlet
fingers.
Poor Dorothy" Peter whispered soft
ly, and at the words Ninette turned
away shaken with sobs. Poor Dorothy
yes, and poor Peter, tool
He turned away as Mrs Crawford went
to his side with the doctor. who had
been hastily summoned, and. with Nj
nette, went into the library. The other
guests slipped silently away, and they
were left alone. sitting there in the win
dow seat to which they had drifted
Instinctively Peters hand sought those
of the girl he loved
Neither of them spoke; to Ninette
with only sadness to look back upoa,
it seemed that this one moment was
wonderful enough to make up for all
that had gone before. Peter might be
engaged to Dorothy. but always, no mat
ter what might come, she would remem-
Der this glorious time when his hands
clasped hers tight and his heart spoke
from his eyes when she dared touch
them.
"Ninette-Peter :" It was Mrs Gran
ford's voice, calling to them softly.
Il can't see her just now-can't tark
with any one" Peter whispered, helping
Ninette down from the high seat. iii
stay here a moment and gather myself
together, so that I can face people onca
more-you talk with her alone, will you
dear? 2"
Mrs. Crawford had gone to her sitting
room on the floor above, searching for
them, and Ninette followed and met her
in the hall.
"Oh, Ninette," cried the older woman,
her voice choked with sobs, ut is zoo
terrible-poor little Dorothy. The doctor
says that she is very badly burned-that
she may not live. He thinks that Peter
should stay here tonight, so that he VII
be here in case she RECEIVERS eonscious%
ness. And he says that If she does i've
she will be terribly dingured for life"
Ninette stared at Mrs. Cranfoxd viii
eyes Of utter disbelief
"Dishgured" - she echoed. "Why, it's
impossible. 1t was ali over so socnt
Oh, surely there must be some mis-
take?"
Mrs. Crawford shook her head; the
tears were running down her cheeks.
It's true enough. The doctor is sure,
though he is doing everything he can.
Oh, poor girl! And she was so pretty
so sweetly pretty"
Ninette did not answer; she stood lean
ing against the door, with a suddens
feeling of weakness.
Beauty was Dorothy's only asset, and
now she was to lose even thatl
Presently she asked a falterinE ques-
ton:
Does she xnowi Does she knowf"
''She is not conscious. The shock was
great. and 1 think she must have been
very frightened. fer she is still uncon-
scious. came to ask If you know where
Peter is. H. ought TO stay in the house
in case he ia wanted"
Il think he is downstairs. Shall go
aud seeI"
Ninette moved past Mrs Crawford and
went slowly downstairs. She felt as Il
she moved in a dream. all her thoughts
were with Dorothy, and the tragedy shat
had happened so swiftly.-Copyrirht
1921.
(Another Interesting instaIlment of 80
story VIII appear in Mondays papesa