The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-08-30

with horror, but. still swift and strong
from the stimulus of the crisis, he
lifted her head and shoulders in his
arms.
Then the girl smiled in his face.
I'm not hurt" he heard her say,
seemingly in answer to some sense
less query of his. She shook her
head at the same time, and she
smiled as she did it. II know what
I'm saying" she went on I'm not
hurt-one-bitr'
The little drama, as if hurled in an
instant from the void, was already
done. Tragedy had been averted; it
was merely one of the thousands of
unimportant smash-ups that occur in
q great city every year. Some of
the spectators were already moving
on. In just a moment, before half
a dozen more words could be said,
ether cars were swinging by. and a
policeman was on the scene asking
questions and jotting down license
numbers. Just for a moment he
paused at Ned's elbow.
your name and address, please?"
he asked eoldly.
Ned whirled, turning his eyes from
the girls face for the first time. Ned
Ccrnet," he answered. And he gave
his fathers address on Queen Anne
Hill.
SHOW up before Judge Rossman
in the morning." he ordered. THE
jltney there will send their bills to
you. I'd advise you to pay EN-"
"I'n pay EN-" Ned agreed. 'I'n
throw in an extra twenty to pay for
their loss of time"
This young lady says she amt
hurt" the policeman went on. 'It
certainly is no credit to you that she
amt. There is plenty of witnesses
here If she wants to make a SUIT"
I'll give this young lady complete
satisfaction" Ned promised. He
turned to her in easy friendliness. a
queer little crooked smile. winning
and astonishingly Juvenile, appearing
at his mouth. Now let's get in my
car. III take you home-and we
can talk this over"
She directed him out Madison, into
a district of humble, modest, but re-
spectacle residences. ITS lucky you
came along-I don't often get a ride
clear to my door"
Lucky I want to say IL it wasn't
for all the luck in the world you'd be
going to the hospital instead. I'm
taking all the blame for that smash
back there-I got off mighty lucky.
Now let's settle about the dress-and
a few other things. Ffrst-you're
sure you're not hurt?"
He was a little surprised at the gay,
girlish smile about her lips. Not a
particle. 1t would be nice if 1 could
go to the hospital two weeks or so,
just to rest-but I haven't the con-
science to do it. I'm not even scratched
just pushed over in the street. And
I'm afraid I can't even charge you
for the dress. I've always had too
much conscience. Mr.. Cornet."
''Of course I'm going to pay"
1.-The dress cost only about twenty
1ollars-at a sale. And it doesn't seem
TO be even damaged. OF course it will
have to be cleaned To save YOU the
embarrassment see growing in your
face, I'll gladly send the bill to you
II you like"
In the bright street light he looked
up. studying her face. Her skin had a
healthy freshness, pink like the mar
velous pink of certain spring wild
flowers, and she had delicate girlish
features that wholly suited his apprais-
ing eye. This girl in his car was IN
her early twenties-over, rather than
under-of medium height, with the
slender strength of an expert swim
mer. yet her beauty was that of a
child.
He couldn't tell. at first, in just what
her beauty lay. Other girls had fresh
skins. bright eyes, smiling lips and
masses of dark lustrous hair-and
some Of them even had the simplicity
Of good manners. Ned had a quick.
sure mind, and for a moment he unused
over his wheel as he tried to puzzle
it out.
But soon after this Ned Cornet
caught himself with a whispered oath.
He was positively mauGlin! The ex-
element, the near approach to trag.
edy. the influence of the liquor mani
Testing itself once more in his veins
were making him stare and think like
silly fool. The girl was a particu
larly attractive shopgirl or factory
worker. strong and athletic for all her
appealing slenderness, doubtless pretty
enough to waken considerable inter
est IN certain Of his friends who went
in for that sort Of thing, but he, Ned
Cornet. had other interests. The gaze
he bent upon her was suddenly in
different.
They were almost at their cestina-
ton now, and he did not see the sud.
den decline Of her mood in response
to his dying interest Sensitive as g
flower to sunlight, she realized in
moment that barrier of caste had
dropped down between them. She
was silent the rest of the way.
Would you mind telling me what
you do-in the way of work. I mean?"
nc asked her. at her door my father
has a business that employs many
girls. There might be a chance"
81 can do almost anything with a
needle, thank you," she told him with
perfect frankness. Fitting, mem
stitching, embroidery could name
a dozen other things"
1--WE employ dozens of seamstresses
and filters. suppose I can reach
you hereafter work hours. III keep
you in mind" -
An instant later he had hidden her
good night and driven away. little
dreaming, that, through the glass
pane of the door, her lustrous blue