The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-02-12

why. you know who that is.
~ Mildred" she said, casually.
It's that Alice Adams father,
isn't it? Wasn't his name Virgil
Adams?"
ct think it is" Mildred said.
Mrs. Palmer turned toward her hus-
band. You've seen this Alice Adams
here. Mr. Lambs pet swindler must
be her father
Mr.. Palmer passed a smooth hand
over his neat gray hair. which was not
disturbed by this effort to stimulate
recollection. "Oh, yes" he said ''Of
course-certainly. Quite a cookbook
ing girl-one Of Mildred's friends.
How queer!''
Mildred looked up, as if in little
alarm. but did not speak. Her mother
set matters straight. Fathers are
amusing she said smilingly to Rus
sell, who was looking at her, though
how fixedly she did not notice; for she
turned from him at once to enGghten
her husband. Every girl who meets
Mildred, and tries to push the &C
quaintance by coming here until the
poor child has to hide, isn't a friend
of hers. my dear!''
Mildred's eyes were downcast again,
and a faint color rose in her cheeks.
"Oh, 1 shouldn't put 1t quite that way
about Alice Adams" she said. in a low
voice. Il saw something of her for Il
time. She's not unattractive-in a
way"
Mrs. Palmer settled the whole case
Of Alice carelessly. "a pushing sort
Of girl" she said "a very pushing
little person"
7" Mildred began; and, after
hesitating, concluded, Il rather
dropped her."
Fortunate you've done So" her
father remarked. cheerfully. 'Espe-
cially since various members Of the
Lamb connection are here frequently.
They mightn't think you'd show great
tact in having her about the place.
He laughed, and turned to his cousin.
"AIl this isn't very interesting to poor
Arthur. How terrible people are with
a newcomer in a town; they talk as if
he knew all about everybody
But we don't know anything about
these queer people. ourselves" said
Mrs. Palmer. We know something
about the girl, of course-she used 10
be a bit too conspicuous, in fact!
However, as you say, we might find
a subject more interesting for Ar
thur She smiled whimsically upon
the young man. Tell the truth"
she said. Don't you fairly detest
going into business with that tyrant
yonder?"
What? Yes-I beg your pardon"
he .stammered.
You were right" Mrs. Palmer
said to her husband. you've tored
him so, talking about thievish clerks,
he can't even answer an honest ques-
ton"
But Russell was beginning to re-
cover his outward composure. TRY
me again." he said. I'm afraid
was thinking Of something else"
This was the best he found TO say.
There was a part of him that wanted
to protest and deny, but he had not
heat enough, in the chill that had
come upon him. Here was the first
mention" of Alice, and with it the
reason why it was the first: Mr.. Pal
1ner had difficulty in recalling her.
and she happened to be spoken OF,
only because her fathers betrayal Of
q benefactor's trust had been so De
culiarly atrocious that, in the view
of the benefactor's family, it con-
tanned enough Of the element Of hui
NOR to warrant a mild laugh at
club. There was the deadliness Of
the story: it's lack Of malice. even Of
resentment. Deadlier still were Mrs.
Palmer's phrases: "a pushing sort OF
girl" "a very pushing little person"
and used to be a bit too conspicuous,
in fact" But she spoke placidly and
by chance; being as obviously with
out unlxindly motive as Mr.. Palmer
was when he related the cause Of Al
fred Lambs amusement. Her opin-
ion Of the obscure young lady mo-
mentariIy her topic had been ex-
pressed, moreover, to her husband,
and at her own table. She sat there.
large, kind, serene-a protest might
astonish but could not change her;
and Russell, crumpling in his strained
fingers the lace-edged little web Of a
napkin on his knee, found heart
enough to grow red, but not enough
to challenge her.
She noticed his color, and attributed
It to the embarrassment of a scrupu-
lousy gallant gentleman caught in
lapse of attention to a lady. Don't be
disturbed" she said, benevolently.
People aren't expected to listen all