The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-04-03
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I yawned and threw the card face up
ward upon the table. 1t was plain
one-and bore, in the peculiar slanting
writing which had accompanied the
roses of the day before just three
words: Good morning, from
Wheeler"
I'll say ther're all right" Sallie
exclaimed in as tough a manner as
she could assume. Cousin Wheeler's
the little white haired boy, amt he?
Sure I'll wear 'em this time, Therese
but what's doing? Is he gonna call
mornings, too?"
Madame have invited M'sieu Sloat
for lunch, think, and as you are so
happily recovered Mees Alva, it is
permitted that you again take your
place" Therese's head was bowed
as she pinned the viOlets to the gray
girdle but her tone was dignifed and
somewhat shocked Madame is wait
ing for you in her sitting ROOM
Broad sunlight streaming in at a
great bay-windew replaced the can
dle-glow Of the previous day and the
mauve room appeared larger and more
austere in spite of it's elaborate fur
nishings. Mrs. Copeland. too, as she
rose to receive the girl seemed to have
lost a little of her gracious pois- and
beneath the cosmetics her face was
haggard.
Good morning, Alva, dear" She
bent forward as though to kiss her
but Sallie drew back.
Good morning. Mrs. Copeland" she
responded deliberately I'm glad to
get a chance for this talk with you.
II don't understand Mrs. Cope
land faltered, taken aback at the
holiness IF the attack.
"Oh. you got me all right" re
torted Salue coolly. You know I'm
not your seepdaughter, this 'Alva' kid,
and you know there amt anything
more the matter with my head than
there is with yours
IF you are not my stepdaughter.
Mrs. Copeland said slowly. as she
sank into a chair and mechanically
gestured to another, who are your"
Don't you wish you knew" Sal
lie sneered taUntingly
My dear. we all know about you"
Mrs. COPELAND rose to the bait. You
are Sarah Peck. and you worked in a
store in Shaftstown-"
Sure I DO, That's me- Sallie in
terrupted. with elaborate over
eagerness. You don't know who my
folks are. though, nor the crowd l
travel WITH
We have ascertained that you
have no relations. but have lived with
a Mrs. Brennan, and young detective
segeant of the police has been pay
ing you attention"
Sallie laughed long and loud. and
Mrs. Copeland eyed her with growing
wonder.
Paying me attention. Ell? That's
good L amt tying up with any bull.
believe you me-
Mrs. Copeland shuddered.
'You-you don't seem like the same
girl you were yesterday she muir.
INJURED. Your speech, your manner
1t does not seem possibler"
/ can be a lady when I like" Sal.
lie f1ared up in pretended anger, then
added: There amt no need of ii now,
and besides, it's a nuisancer'
Nevertheless, my girl, you will
find that it pays" There was sig
nificance in Mrs. Copeland's tone not
lost upon her companion,
That's what l want to find out. "
Sallie remarked promptly. How
much?'
She felt elated when Mrs. Copeland
put both hands to her temples in
horror.
Really. you must try to speak so
that I can understand you" she ex-
claimed. Il am prepared this morning
to talk to you quite frankly and if
you are a sensible girl you will see
it is greatly to your advantage that
we brought you here and took care
of you"
Il wasn't exactly homeless, but |
amt kicking-yet." Sallie's reply was
noncommittal. "I'll say you treated
me fine so far. but what do you want
of me-"
Merely to stay here with me in
my house as my stepdaughter Alva,
and the fiancee-the promised wife
of my late husbands nephew, Wheeler
Sloat. This-visit-may end at anv
time or at most in a few months
hence" Mrs. Copeland spoke slowly
as though choosing her words. You
will be surrounded with every luxury.
as you see; you will have all the pretty
clothes you like and 1 shall give you
some Jewelry appropriate for young
girl which you may take with you
when you leave us. At that time, too,
II you will INN ediately leave this
country and never return or commu-
picate with any of your former asso-
ciates. and will never mention this
little transaction between us to any
one. you shall receive twenty-five thou.
sand dOllarsr'
She sat back in her chair as though
prepared to receive the thanks of the
girl, but Sallie shook her head.
Twenty-Five grand is an awful lot
of money just to be adopted and play
the lady for few months; too much,
unless other folks are making such
a killing out of it that it ought to be
worth more to me. / amt asking
you what your game is. Mrs. Cope
land, d be willing to play it the way
you tell me and no questions asked
but how do you know I'd get away
with it?'
Il am quite sure of that, my dear
girl. and nothing can go wrong, 1
assure YOU
Mr. Wheeler Sloat," Fitch an
noUnced from the doorway with
slight cough.
Sallie turned and gazed straight
past the advancing visitor to the
e