The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-09-02
A BIG PARTY
CHAPTER 42.

f Dora turned to find the owner of
this voice. A tall young man, rather
handsome, with a fresh skin and
! frank blue eyes was standing there
! looking down at her-apparently as
much alarmed as she was.
You see. it's this way" he began
again. Then he broke off to laugh.
II feel like an awful fool Do for
give me. Miss Nicholson. It Is all
Gloria's fault I am sure some one
is going to pounce on me for abduct-
ing a child" He looked around, hunt
ing the Travellers Aid representative
to help him out of his difficulty, half
afraid If she did not come that he
couldn't explain.
The he looked at Dora again and
began to laugh.
Is Gloria Ill? Dora asked.
NO. she couldn't leave frankie, who
lis getting a temperature again. I've
been there all afternoon amusing him
because she had to go to her office.
tHere-she sent this note"
He thrust at her an envelope I'M
sealed. inside on a single sheet of
paper was scrawled in pencil:
TITS all right. darling Bobby will
bring you here"
Dora looked up again at the stran-
ger. He had a somewhat flat face and
was too perfectly dressed. His beau
tifully manicured nails made her
ashamed of her own that were split
and rough and stained.
But she wasn't at all afraid to go
with him. She handed him the check
for her trunk and gave herself up to
looking around the station while he
went TO collect her things and take
them to a cab.
When he came back she was stand
ing with her face raised looking at the
blue ceiling with it's painted stars and
marveling that some of them showed
electric lights.
Beautiful place, isn't it-no one
who lives here ever looks at 1t, sc
you had better stare your fill now,
he remarked, and then began to laugh
again.
In the taxi he said: 81 should have
introduced myself in a less sketchy
manner than Gloria did My whole
name is Robert Darcy"
Mine is Pandora Nicholson" Dora
managed. But she couldn't think oil
anything more to say, so she turned
her face and looked out of the tax
window at the houses and people anG
streets. amazed at the size of every
thing and the noise of the city, hoping
that Mr. Darcy would not think hel
rude.
They stopped at last at an old-fash
toned apartment house. They had t.
climb three flights, the taxi man grum
bling as he carried the trunk. Their
door was opened and a joyous voice
called:
Hello, dear!"
And Pandora found herself beins
embraced and kissed by Gloria. The.
went into a room that seemed full o
peopIe-though there were only TIVE
men-Frankie on the couch, Gloria
Darcy and hrself A fire was BURNING
in a tiny ireplace-Gloria took tht
shabby apartment house because o
that one feature.
This is Pan" Gloria announced
Now then, run home, both of you
Bobby can stay because he's been a
the station. and he is going to max
broth for Frankie
Dora was so frightened she backe'
of into a. corner. The two men left
Quiet, comparative quiet, settled o.
the room.
Dora went over to frankie who Ia
with bright eyes and flushed face o.
the couch.
Its great fun being sick" he II
formed her. "Bobby's been dom
stunts to amuse me while mama
out, until the people below banged O.
the steampipes. We were making to
much noise"
Gloria suggested frankie try t
sleep-a suggestion that brough
prompt tears.
81 want the party to go on" b
sobbed
Gloria sank down on a chair, lool
ing helplpless for once.
iii leave him to you, Pan, sh
said; keep him quiet tomorrow.
must be at the office. l am going bac
now to see whether Bobby has broke
everything in the kitchen getting SUI
per.
Left alone with him, Dora-or Pa
as she instantly beeame-began tall
ing quietly about the farm and tn
children Francis had met in Norri
CITY. one hand over his hot forehead