Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-09-06
CHAPTER XXYIEI.
NeUS of Arthur DeIGU.

$50 ] heard" He turned his head ana
looked at her for the first time. II
wonder you are not going with him"
81 wanted to-. he wouldn't take me-"
Her dark brows frowned. "You know"
she said after a moment, with sort
of cOnhdlng manner "I don't seem now,
somehow as If I've got my real place
in the world. Perhaps it's because
thought I should be quite happy when
had heaps of money, and as many
clothes ms I wanted; but--I'm not"
MOI" The query sounded merely po-
litely interested, and Ninette flushed.
81 am boring you" she said, drawing
back a little
Not in the least; am very interested
How long are you staying with my
aunt?"
It'll father comes home. 1 suppose"
And viii that be some time?"
HE said few weeks
IL see"
Niuette leaned her chin in her hands
ami looked across the room to where
Mrs. Crawford stood talking to her
guests
I did not know you had an aunt she
said suddenly.
Nothard smiled.
Really. I suppose Won never made
inquiries. l have several au1ts."
Ninette gave sudden startled ex
clamatioD; she half rose from her seat
then sat iowa with a scrt Of helpless
ness as the door opened, and the maid
announced:
Mrs Delay" and Margaret walked
into the room
Nothard made hssty movement. then
sat back IN the corner Of the sofa he
was very flushed and his eyes were dis
trassed.
Ninette looked at him with challeng
ing eyes
you might have told ma she would
he here she said brokenly.
He answered hurriedly:
81 give you my word OF honor that
had not the least iden! am as sur
prlsed to see my sister as was-to see
YOU"
Ntnette bit her trembling lip.
"Of course, she VIII cut me-" she said
"She VIII do nothing Of the Kind go
Nothard rose to his feet now: be stood for
a moment screening Ninette from thc rest
Of the room; then he said in an under
tone. 81 don't know II you have heard
but Of course. You are bound to hear
Delay has left her"
He did not wait for a reply. but turned
away, crossing the room to where his
sister stood talking 70 Mrs. CRAWFORD He
said something to her hurriedly in ar
undortoue, and Nirette watching saw
Margaret vince, and half turn away
rhen she smiled ever 50 family. as II con
senting to something. and came across the
room with her brother
Ninette rose TO her feet: she was toe
nervous to answer when Margaret spoke
70 her but she took the hand which tn,
elder girl offered
"Such a surprise tn see you herer
Margaret said: and her voice sounded
tired and distract. like the voice OF some
one who had lost ell interest in life. az
hope Won arc well? :"
THANK You; very"
There was an awkward little silence
which Nothard broke.
"Nlnette IA staying with Aunt Annie
Margaret he said gently. 1T was G
great surprise 70 inset her here this eve.
ming"
yes, am sure II must have been
Margaret spoke indlferently. After r
moment she took her brothers seat be
side Ninette.
81 suppose 7 should congratulate you
on having found your father" she said
presently. Il hope you VIII have n very
happy life
Nothard had moved away. and with
sudden impulse Ninette laid her hand on
the elder girls.
ooh II we could only sim he frienfsi"
she said brokenly. at wasn't my fault
not any Of It! Oh, indeed It was not &c
Margaret wtaced as Il she had been
hurt. but she gently returned the pres
sure Of Nipette's nervous fingers
II know now Il was not your fault"
she said family; and then, in n lower
voice still: "Arthur-he has left me-
Did you know"
Margaret laughed harshly.
II married for love. and this Is
where It has ended ~ she said bitterly.
Don't you ever marry. NInetto-its
fraud. the whole thing! Far better stake
everything you've got on something else,
and let tho men alone.'
Dinner was announced at that mo-
ment, and before Ninette could answer
Peter Nothard was beside her, offering
his arm.
II am to have the pleasure OF taking
you to dinner" be said.
Nlnette half shrugged her shoulders
1T seems that you are never to be
rid OF me-" she said.
tie maze 10 answer, ana they IOllowed
fha other guests across the hail to tho
diningroom.
Aunt Annie is one Of the old fash
toned school," Nothard said presently
Have you discovered that yet! Her
dinners always remind me OF early Vic
torian functions-not that l ever went
TO any, but l Judge by the accounts
one bears"
Ninette answered vaguely; she was
more upset than she cared to admit by
Margaret Delays presence. The tragedy
In the elder girls face cut her to the
heart, and, innocent as she was, she
felt that in some way the fault must
unconsciously have been hers
She was glad when dinner was ended.
It proved to be dun affair, as Peter
had warned her, and there was
twinkle in his eyes, as he rose to open