The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-12-07
CHAPTER XIV

Andrew Kelton died suddenly, near
the end of May, in SyIvias senior year
at college. The end came unexpected
edly, Of heart trouble Harwood read
of it in the morning newspaper, and
soon after he reached his Office Mrs.
Owen called him on the telephone to
say that she was going to Montgom-
cry at once, and asking him to meet
Sylvia as she passed through Indian
apolls on her way home. Both Of the
morning papers printed laudatory
articles on Kelton; he bad been held
in high esteem by all the friends Of
Madison College. and his name was
known to educators throughout the
country.
On the same afternoon Bassett ap-
peared in town on the heels Of q let
ter saying that Dan need not expect
him until the following week
Thought I'd better see Fitch
| about some receiver business, so I
came down a little ahead OF time
What's new?"
Mrs. owen telephoned me this
morning Of Professor Kelton's death.
You probably read of It in today's
papers. Mrs. Owen is an old friend
Of his. and went to Montgomery on
the noon train. She asked me to meet
the professors granddaughter, Miss
Garrison, when she comes through
here in the morning on her way home.
I know her slightly. and I think I'd
better go over to Montgomery with
her. II you don't mind"
Yea Carf afT7JTy. 7 -.
OF KeltOn's death. Mrs. Owen will
feel II deeply. It's a blow to these
old people when one Of them drops
out Of the ranks. I'm glad the
Courier printed that capital sketch
Of him; much better than the 'Adver
tiser's' While I think Of it, I wish
you would tell Atwill that I Ike the
idea Of saying a word editorially for
these old citizens as they leave us. It
gives the paper tone, and I like TO
show appreciation Of fine characters
ike KeltOn."
Bassett had turned round with a. LET
ter in his hand. He unfolded #
slowly and went on, scanning It as he
talked
I'm sorry I never knew Kelton
/ They say he was a very able mathe-
natcian and astronomer. It's rather
remarkable that we should have kent
/ him in Indiana I suppose you NAV
have seen him at Mrs. OWENS; they
had common tie in their Kentucky
connections. I guess there's no tie
/ quite Ike the Kentucky tie; unless it's
the Virginian.'
He seemed absorbed in the letter.
one Of number he had taken from
his bag; then he glanced up as though
waiting for Dams reply.
NO, never saw him at Mrs.
Owen'si but I did meet him once In
Montgomery. He was fine old gen
tleman. You would hardly imagine
him ever TO have been q naval officer;
/ he was quite the elderly, specialized
professor in his bearing and manner. /"
suppose even a man bred to the
sea loses the look of g. sailor IL he
/ lives inland long enough" Bassett
/ observed.
I think my brief interview with
him rather indicated that he had been
a man Of action-the old discipIine of
| the ship may have been in that" re-
he might be laying himself omen to
questions that he should have to avoid
/ answering, he said: "Kelton wrote A
good deal on astronomical subjects
and his textbooks nave been popular
/ Sylvia Garrison. the granddaughter
is something Of a wonder herself"
You'd better go to MONTGOMERY
with Miss Garrison and report to Mrs
Owen for any service and may render
her. Does the old gentleman's death
leave the girl alone?"
quite so. think. She had lived
with him nearly all her life. The pa.
pers mentioned no other near rela-
| tives."
en- be in town day or two. You
do what you can over there for Mrs.
Owen"
That evening, returning to the Of
| fee to clear of his desk in prepare
tion for his absence the next day, Dan
found Bassett there. This was I'm
usual; Bassett rarely visited the Of
fee at night. He had evidently been
deeply occupied with his thoughts.
for when Dan entered he was sitting
before his closed desk with his hat
on. He nodded. and a few moments
later passed through the library on
his way out.
Suppose won't see you tomorrow.
Wen, I'm going to be In town, q few