The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-01-24

stiffness. that aspect changed to the
old mockerv with which mirrors
avenge their wrongs. The nucleus Of
some queer thing seemed to gather
and shape itself behind the nothing
ress of the reflected eyes until 1t be-
came almost an actual strange pres
ence. If it could be identified, per
hans the presence was that Of the
hidden designer who handed up the
false, ready-made pictures, and, for
unknown purposes, made Alice ex-
hibit them; but whatever it was, she
suddenly found it mOnkey-like and
terrifying. In Il f1utteT she jumped up
md went TO another part of the room
A moment or two later she was
whistling softly as she hung her light
coat over a wooden triangle in her
closet. and her musing now was
Guainter than the experience that led
to it; for what sh ethought was this,
81 certainly am a queer girl.' She
took a little pride in so much orig
inality, believing herself probably the
only person in the world to have such
thoughts as had been hers since she
entered the room, and the first to be
disturbed by a strange presence in the
mirror. In fact, the effect Of the tiny
episode became apparent in that look
of ~preOccupied C~omplacency to be seen
for a time upon any girl who has
found reason TO suspect that she is a
being without counterpart.
This slight glow. still family radi-
ant, was observed across the dinner
table by Walter. but he misinterpreted
it. What you lOOkin' so self-satis-
fed about?' he inquired, and added in
his knowing way. 7 saw you, all
right. cutie
Where's you see me??'
Downtown"
This afternoon, you mean Walters
YES, this afternoon, I mean, Wal
ter" he returned. burlesquing her
voice at least happily enough to please
himself; for he laughed applausively.
"Oh, you never saw me. l passed
close enough to pull a tooth, but you
were awful busy. I never did see any
body as busy as you get, Alice, when
you're town ii barge. My, but you
keep your hands goin', Looked like
the air was full Of EN-, That's why
I'm onto why you look so tickled this
evening; 1 saw you with that big fish"
Mrs. Adams laughed benevolently;
she was not displeased with this rally
ing. Well. what of it. Walter?" she
asked. If You happen to see your
sister on the street when some nice
young man is being attentive to
her
Walter parked and then cackled.
Whoa, SAIL he said. You got the
parts mixed, It's little Alice that was
being attentive I know the big fish
she was attentive to, all right, too"
Yes his sister retorted. quietly. Il
should think you might have recog-
nized him, Walter"
Walter looked annoyed. Still har-
pin on that he complained. 1.-THE
kind of women I ike, if they get sore
they just hit you somewhere on the
face and then they're through. By
the way, 1 heard this Russell was
supposed to be your dear. old. sweet
friend Mildred's steady. What you
doin' walkin' as close TO him as all
that?''
Mrs. Adams addressed her son in
gentle reproof, why. WalterT'
"Oh, never mind, mama" Alice
said. ITO the norrid all things are
horrid."
Get outr' Walter protested, care
lessly. ct heard all about this Rus
sell down at the shop. Young Joe
Lambs such a taIker I wonder he
don't ruin his grandfather's- business
he keeps all us cheap help standin
round listening 20 him nine-tenths OF
our time. Well, Joe told me thi;
RusseI's some kin or other to the
Palmer family, and he's got some little
money of his own, and he's putin II
into old Palmer's trust company and
PaImer's goin' to make him a vice
president of the company. Sort Of g
keep-the-money-in-the-family arrange
men. Joe Lamb says"
Mrs. Adams looked thoughtful. Il
don't see" she began.
why, this RusselTs supposed to be
tied up to Mildred" her son explained.
When ole Palmer dies this Russell
will be his sonin-law, and all he'll
haf' 60 doll be to barely lift his feet
and step into the ole mans shoes. It's
certainly a mighty fat hand-me-out for
LulS EuSSElA- lou OCALCE AdS VII u
there, Alice. Pick somebody that's
got less to lose and you'll make a bet
ter showing"
Mrs. Adams air of thoughtfulness
had not departed. But you say this
Mr.. Russell is we'll off on his own
account, Walter"
"Oh, Joe Lamb says he's got some
little Of his own. Didn't know how
much"
well, then"
Walter laughed his laugh. cut II
out" he babe her. Alice wouldn't
run in fourth place"
Alice had been looking at him in a
detached way, as though estimating
the value Of a specimen in a collection
not her own. Yes" she said, indif
ferently. You really are vulgar
Walter"
He had finished his meal, and
rising. he came round the table to hel
and patted her good-naturedly on the
shoulder. Good ole Alier' he said
Honest. you wouldn't run in fourth
place. If I was you I'd never ever
start IN the class. That frozen-face
gang viii rule you off the track soor
as they see your colors."
Walter his mother said again.
well, amt I her brother?" he re
turned, seeming to be entirely serious
and direct, for the moment, at least
II like the ole girl all right. Fact is
sometimes I'm kind Of sorry for her.
"Ruf what's II oil ah0rf 9s AIice