The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-03-22

L fSE In Law ENDER DRAPERIES.
sey floating before her; then the dis.
NAL, rain ydawn and Ma Brennan's
worry about the linen. She had gone
out herself to the back yard to bring
1t in off the lines just as the fast
express came laundering along on the
tracks lying beyond the r.ckety fence
and then there had been a terrible
crash
Slowly, painfully the girls mind
pieced together her last conscious i'm
pressions and now complete realiza-
ton rushed upon her. The switch
there at the junction only the length
Of two houses away, where the milk
train was overdue and Hughie Rob
bins pa drinking again! There had
been a wreck and most of il had
piled on her there in the back ward
between the lines of wet clothes! She
must have been mistaken for some
body else. but why had SMa Brennan
let them take her away?
My darling childr' There was a
rustic of TX. a wave of the same
perfume which had greeted her wax.
ing senses and two arms clasped
her in tense embrace. "Alva. do
you know me? Therese told me that
you had come to yourself at last!
Alva, speak to your mother
Sallie's lids lifted slowly and she
beheld a large figure in lavender
draperies and handsome face with
steely gray eyes close to her own
Mother" indeed There was some
thing in this that she ddn't under
stand. but il they were playing some
game? Sallie grinned family.
II got hurt?"
oh, my dear. there was a terrible
wreck. But do you recall nothing OF
it?' The visitor seated herself on a
low chair by the bed and took one Of
the girls hands in both OF hers I'VE
were on the train returning from
French Lick Springs, asleep in our
drawing room at the end OF the ear
when the crash came, I shall spare
you the horror of II for l. too, was
buried unconscious in the debris, but
oh. Alva. My thankfulness when I
came to myself in the hospital and
found you there beside me. even when
the uOCtOFS lOlu me.
She paused shuddering and Sallie
watching her closely saw that her
face had whitened beneath its coat
ing Of cosmetics while &. haggard line
appeared about the narrow, firm lips
There wasn't any acting in this! Sal
lie started TO speak and then checked
herself suddenly: that maid had
seemed to recognize her, also.
Wasn't She The girly's quicl,
brain caught at the name which the
older woman had used and in uncon-
scious n1imicry she. initiated the ac-
cent. "Wasn 't-Therese- too?'
"Ah. yes. dear child. l see you
are beginning to remember She
was in her berth just beyond our door
and thrown clear of the wreckage,
being merely bruised. But you have
not asked about any one else!'
There was a half-playful Gliding
note in her tones which seemed
forced. somehow, and Sallie gave a
little start. She'd better watch her
step now!
who else was with us?" she asked
carefully.
"Why, your cousin, Wheeler! He
was in the car ahead and fearfully
shaken up but he rescued you, Alva!
He saved your Iifer' She gestured
toward the dressing table and for the
first time Sauie noticed that there
stood upon 1t the photograph of a
man. 1t was encased in large, jew
eled frame and the features were not
very distinct in the subdued light. but
he appeared to be youngish, with a
long nose and something unpleasant
about his eyes. Her own came back
to the face bending above her and
she saw that she was being studied
in turn with a curious intensity
"He-saved my life?" repeated Sal
lie. and mental picture rose before
her of what she must have looked Ike
in that sleazy kimono, all tangled up
in Ma Brennan's wash. Tho little
smile which quirked the corners of her
mouth faded quickly, however. at the
suddenly commanding tones OF the
older woman's voice.
Yes. You really must thank him
as he deserves us soon as you are able
% see him, 7 don't know what I
should have done without him. 1t
was he who arranged to have a special
sent TO meet US at the next station
and a motor ambulance to take US out
OF that wrtched hospital within an
hour after had regained conscious
ness. He would not believe for a
moment what the docters told us, and
nc has heeu 80 'ievased.