The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-02-06
ID CHARLEY nromised t!

~ LID CHARLEY promised u
remember, and when Mrs.
Lohr came out of the hitch
enette," after the door. closed,
he said, thoughtfully, Just skin and
bones"
You mean Mr.. Adams is?" Mrs.
Lohr inquired.
Who'd you think I meant?" he re-
turned. "One o. these partridges in
the Wallpaper
did he look so badly?"
Looked kind Of distracted to me. "
her husband replied. These little
thin fellers can stand a heap some
times. though. He'll be over here
again Monday"
Did he say he would?"
No" said Lohr. But, he will.
You'll see. He'll be over 10 find out
what the big boss says when I give
him this letter Expect ia be kind
If anxious. myself. if 1 was him"
Why would you? WHAT'S Mr..
ASams doing to be so anxious about?'
LShr's expression BECAME one OF
reserve, the look OF man who mas
found that when he speaks his inner
thoughts his wife jumps too far to
conclusions. "Oh, nothing" he said
"Of course any man starting UP new
business is bound to be pretty nervous
a while. He'll be over here tomorrow
evening. all right; you'll see"
The prediction was fulfilled: Adams
arrived Just after Mrs. LOhr had re-
moved the dinner dishes to her
'-lxitchenette;' but Lohr had little in
formation to give his caller.
He didn't say a word. Virgil; nary
a word. took It into his office and
handed Il to him, and he just sat and
read II; that's all. I kind Of stood
around as long as could. but he was
sittin' a this desk with his side to me.
and he never turned around full
toward me, as it were. so I couldn't
hardly even tell anything. All l
know; he just read It"
well, but see here" Adams began,
nervously. well"
We'll what. Virgo"
We'll, but what did he say when
he did speak?"
He didn't speak. Not so long I
was in there, anyhow. He just sat
there and read it. Read kind Of slow
Then, when he came to the end, he
turned back and started to read it all
over again. By that I inc there was
three or four other men standin'
around in the office waItin' to speak
to him. and had TO 60"
Adams sighed, and stared at the
floor, irresolute. "Weli, I'll be get
ting along back home hen, guess.
Charley. So you're surA you couldn't
tell anything what he, might have
thought about it, them
Not thing in the world. I've told
you all know, Virg."
"I guess so. guess So" Adams
said mournfuIly. 4 feel mighty
ouiIg-d to you, Charley Lohr; mighty
obliged. Goodnight to. you" And
he departed, signing in .aerplexity.
On his way home, presccupied with
many thoughts, he walled so slowly
that once or twice he stopped and
stood motionless for a few moments,
without being aware Of It; and when
he reached the juncture OF the side
walk with the short brick path that
led to his own front door he stopped
again, and stood for more than a
minute. "Ah, wish I knew" he
whispered plaintively. II do wish
knew what he thought about It"
He was reused by a laugh that
came lightly from the little veranda
near by. Papa Alice called gaily.
What are you standing there NUT
tering to yourself about?"
"Oh, are you there, dearie?" he
said, and came up the path. A tall
figure rose from a chair on the YER
anda-
Papa, this is Mr. Russell"
The two men shook hands Adams
saying, pleased to make your &C
quaintance." as they looked at each
other In the faint light diffused
through the Opaque glass in the up
per part OF the door. Adama's i'm
preston was Of a strong ard tall
young man. fashionable but gentle;
and RusseI's was Of a dried little
old business man with grizzled
moustache, worried bright eyes,
shapeless dark clothes, and a homely
manner.
"NiGe evening" Adams said further,
as their hands parted Mice time O.
year it is, but we don't always have
as good weather as this; that's the
trouble Of ii. Well" He went to
the door. "WelI-I bid you gooc eve
ming" he said, and retired withi. the
house.
Alice laughed. Hes the oldtfash-
ionedest man in town, suppose and