The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-10-11
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common-sense, pretended to accept
her decision with reluctance.
Go ahead. Elsie urged Miss
Schupp and Miss McCarty. There
was no question in their minds that
their friend had made the conquest
OF an eccentric millionaire, and they
were generously inclined to help the
good cause along.
Juarez Charlie, fearing a change
Of mind, hurried the Princess into
drove away with the shock-headed
boy acting Is chauffeur.
His proximity and Willingness to
overhear everything that was said
permitted nothing but the most casual
conversation, mostly in the nature Of
badinage on Charles part.
But under his lively banter he
never forgot his purpose. Yet even
after they reached the n and were
seated at a small table, the gentle
f1attering third degree which awaited
the Princess had still to be deferred.
In that expensive environment,
with groups and couples of the new
rich all about them, and one of those
1nIllIldlclN dIlcLl4NS NdAlSAS AONCAAl5
over them, Miss Da Costa became
self-consciously absorbed in her w
impersonation-the finished cosmopo-
lite viewing the multitude through a
non-existent lorgnette.
In order to recapture her wander
ing attention, and also to get rid Of
the irritation of a persistently buzzing
fly, Charlie began to consult her about
the menu, ordering so prodigally that
she gaSped and demonstrated.
Elsie seemed to be turning some
thing over and over in her mind.
Suddenly she came back to the pres
emit, all vivacity, her blue eyes spark
ling.
do you know, I've just been think
ing about that hat, and 1 believe I've
struck it at last. Listen" She made
little spears at him with her fork.
Hope Rangers not missing at all.
She's going into musical comedy or
the pictures. and this hullabaloo Is
all a publicity stunt. I'm right?"
Charles expression committed him
to nothing.
you think fast. little one. Go on,
and I'll tell you whether you're get
ting warm or not"
well, as I take it. Hope didn't
like your choice; so she tossed it over
to her maid, and the maid saw a
chance to make on it and brought it
back. I suppose it was the maid, al
though I'd have sworn" She paused,
tapping her white brow with a gilt
tering hngernail. Say" her face
clearing; lis the Ranger girl sick?"
Charlie. unable to follow her,
leaned nearer across the table.
But what makes you think that?"
Because 1 simply couldn't place
that woman as anything but a
trained nurse. She acted like she'd
been born in a white cap, and learned
her letters off a fever-chart."
The slight pallor of excitement
showed through Charles dark skin.
He reached for the carafe, and filled
the Princess glass.
"A tall, blond woman?" He tried
the ruse he had used on the garage
keeper.
mo; medium-sized and dark. At
tractive. She wanted to exchange 1t
for a prim, little toque. Well, the
long and short of it was that 1 agreed
to have a duvetyn toque made up
for her, and send it to her at the
hospital"
Charlie lowered his voice conf
dentially.
Mrs. Ranger has not beer well.
But don't tell any n that she's in
a hospital"
"Oh, that's it? Then 1 did get it
right" She showed a natural pride
in having her surmises confirmed.
You say the woman left her ad-
dress?" He looked a little worried.
we have to be so careful about any
thing getting out"
Yes; she wrote it down for me:
Doctor Doctor something's5Sani-
tarium, Barcelona, Long Island.
Wait a minute! I've got the name.
Bristow. Doctor Bristow's Santa
rum"
Charlie felt an insane impulse to
get up and wave his arms and shout.
The Princess was a mascot.
He called the waiter. and begged
his companion to order something
more, pressing her to think Of some
ambrosial delicacy not on the card.
There was nothing too much he
could do for the Princess.
Then, with the waiter suggesting
this and that costly bonne-bouche,
he made an excuse and fastened to
the teleDhOne to call IN Ranger at