The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-12-16
CHAPTER TX

Mrs. Bassett remained in bed the
day following the convention, less ex-
hausted by the scenes she had wit
messed than appalled, by their inter
pretation in the newspapers. The
temperance of Sylvia Garrison had
revived the apprehensions which the
GIRLS visit to Waupegan four years
earlier had awakened. She had hoped
that Sylvias long absences might
have operated to diminish Mrs.
Owens interest and she had managed
in one way and another to keep them
apart during the college holidays, but
the death of Professor Kelton had evil
IDENTIFY thrown Sylvia back upon Mrs
owen. Jealous fears danced blackIy
in Mrs. Bassett's tired brain.
At q season when she was always
busiest with her farms Mrs. Owen
had made a long journey to see Sylvia
graduated; and here was the girl es-
tablished on the most intimate terms
in the Delaware Street house. no doubt
for the remainder Of her life. Mrs.
Owen did not lightly or often change
her plans; but she had abandoned her
project Of spending the summer at
the lake to accommodate herself to
the convenience of her protege. Mrs.
Bassett's III health was by no means
3 matter Of illusion; she was nat well,
end her sojourns IN sanatoriums had
served to ALLEVIATE her in a measure
from her family. Marian had grown
TO womanhood without realizing her
mothers ideals. She had hoped to
make q very different person OF her
daughter, and Sylvias temperance
Intensified her sense of defeat. Even
IN the retrospect she saw no reason
why Marian might not have pursued
the course that Sylvia had followed;
fn her confused aunoyances and agi-
4ations she was bitter not only against
Marian, but against Marians father.
The time had come when she must
take a stand against his further daily
3ngs in politics.
She was alone in her room at Mrs.
Owens when Bassett appeared, late
In the afternoon. Mrs. Owen was
downtown on business matters: Ma
rian, after exhaUsting all her devices
for making her mother comfortable,
had flown in search of acquaintance;
and Sylvia had that day taken up
her work in the Normal School Left
10 herself for the greater part of the
warm afternoon. Mrs. Bassett had in
7ulged Iuxuriously in forebodings. She
had not expected her husband, and his
unsnnounced entrance startled her.
well" she remarked drearily, so
you have come back to face it, have
your
I'm undoubtedly back. Halle" he
answered. with an effort at hghtness
crossing to the bedside and taking her
hand.
He had rarely discussed his political
plans with her, but he realized that
the rupture with Thatcher must nat
urally have distressed her; and there
was also Thatcher's lawsuit involving
her aunt, which had disagreeable pos.
sibilities.
I'm sorry your name got into the
papers, Halle. I didn't want you 70
30 to the convention. but Of course !
knew you went to please Marian.
Where is Marian7''
"Oh, she's off someW here. I couldn't
expect her to stay here in this hot
room all day"
The room was not uncomfortable
but It seemed wiser not to debate ques.
lions Of temperature. He found a chair
and sat down beside her.
you mustn't worry about the news
papers. Halle; they always make the
worst Of everything. The temptation
to distort facts to make a good story
Is strong; have seen it in my connec.
ton with the Courier. It's lament
able, but you can't correct it in a day.
I'm pretty well hardened to it my.
self, but I'm sorry you have let these
attacks on me annoy you. The only
thing to do is to ignore them. What
that you have there?"
She clasped an envelope of clippings
and thrust it at him accusingly. The
eaInness Of his inspection irritated
her and shs broke cut sharply: