The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-11-18

An unusual event of which Sylvia is
not to know is the mysterious visit of a
strange young man who delivers un-
signed letter to her grandfather, stating
an offer which he declines to accept
Sylvia. far. has had only such
studies as her grandfather has given her,
and il is agreed upon that she attend col
lege for social as well as educational ad-
vancement.
Sylvia is to make her home with
MRS. JACKSON OWEN of Indianapolis, IA
military known by her servants as Miss
SalIy"-a practical widow who makes
farming her business.
Or. wANDLESS. president emeritus of
Madison College.
At the State fair every fall it was
taken as a matter of course that IS.
Owen" such was her business desig-
nation should win more red ribbons
than any other exhibitor either Of
cereals or livestock. There was moth
ing that Sally Owen did not know
about feeding cattle. and a paper she
once read before the Short-Horn
Breeders Association is a classic on
this important subject Mrs. Owen
still retained the active control OF her
affairs. though she had gradually
OF the work long done by herself;
but woe unto him who ever tried to
deceive her! She maintained an office
on the ground floor Of her house
where she transacted business and
kept inventories of every stick of
wood, every bushel of corn, every lit
ter Of pigs TO which she had ever been
entitled. For years she had spent
much time at her farms, particularly
through the open months of the year
when farm tasks are most urgent;
but as her indulgence in masculine
pursuits had not abated her womanly
fastidiousness. she carried with her
IN all her journeys a negro woman
whose business it was to cook for her
mistress and otherwise care for her
comfort She had acquired the farm
in Kentucky to continue her ties with
the State Of ner birth. but this sen
Jmental consideration did not deter
ner from making the Lexington farm
pay; Sally owen made everything pay
Her southern ancestry was manifest
IN nothing more surikingly than III
her treatment of the blacks she had
always had about her She called
them niggers-as only a sOuthernenr
may. and they called her Mis- Sally
and were her most devoted and ObedI-
rut servants.
Much of this Sylvia was to learn
later; but just now, as Mrs. Owen sat
in the cool window seat. il was enough
Tor Sylvia TO be there. in the company
OF the first woman-so it seemed to
her-she had ever known, except irish
Mary at home. The wives Of the pro
fessors in Buckeye Lane were not like
this; no one was ever like this, she
was surei
we shall be having luncheon at
half-past twelve, and my grand niece,
Marian, will be here. Marian is the
laughter of my niece. Mrs. Morton
Bassett. who lives at Fraserville. Ma
rian comes to town pretty often and
I've asked her down today part1cu-
uarly to meet you
I'm sure that Is very kind, muir
INJURED Sylvia, though she would have
been perfectly happy if just she and
her grandfather had Oeen left alone
with Mrs. Owen.
There's the bell; that must be Mar
ian now" said Mrs. owen a moment
later, and vanished in her quick fash
ion.
As Sylvia had brought but one white
gown, she decided that the blue serge
skirt and linen shirt-waist in which
she had travelled would do for lunch
con. She put on a fresh collar and
knotted a black scarf under II and
went downstairs.
Mrs Owen was not in sight, and
her grandfather had not returned
from town; but as Sylvia paused a
moment at the door of the spacious
high-ceilinged drawingroOm she saw a
golden head bent over a music rack by
the piano. Sylvia stood on the thresh-
old an instant. shy and uncertain as
to how she should make herself known.
There was no sound in the room but
the crisp rustic of the leaves of music
as the girl tossed them about. Then
as she flung aside the last sheet with
an exclamation of disappointment, Syl-
via made herself known.
I'm Sylvia Garrison" she said, ad-
vancing.
They graveIy inspected each other
for a moment; then Marian put out
her hand.
I'm Marian Bassett. Aunt Sally told
me YOU were coming
Marian seated herself with the
.-reatest composure and Sylvia noted
her white lawn gown and white half
shoes, and the bow Of white ribbon at
the back Of her head. Sylvia. in her
blue serge, black ribbons, and high
shoes, felt the superiority Of this IA
diant being. Marian took charge of
me conversation.
I suppose you like to visit; love it.
I've visited a lot, and I'm always com
inE to Aunt Sally's. I'm in Miss
Warnings School. here in this city, so
come to spend Sundays with Aunt
Sally very often. When mama comes
she takes me to luncheon at the Whit
.onnb and sometimes to the matinee.
We saw John Drew last winter: he's
simply perfect-so refined and gentle
manly; and I've seen Julia Marlowe
twice; she's my favorite actress"
When Marian paused there was a
Hence as Sylvia tried to pick some
hing out Of this TO which she could
respond
This is the first time I ever
Visited" Sylvia confessed. 81 live
with my grandfather Kelton. right by
Madison College, that's at Mont
gomery. you know. Grandfather was
professor in the college. and still
lectures there sometimes. I've never