The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-01-16
IN A LEGATEE'S SHOES

But you've got to have wit
oh, of course" said the woman,
petulantly. The servants WILL witness.
Servants will witness anything. Now,
you see, if you go and speak to her
she'll think it's Charlie. Charlie'I
get everything and I'll be penniless.
Oh, it's TOGO cruel. I'm too old to go
out and work. oh, don't go up, don't.
And I haven't told you everything.
Charles so bad . just as il being
in gaol before hadn't done him any
good. He's done something else.
heard this afternoon after they
let him out. Stupid of the police
.. TheyNlet him go . . they'll have
to arrest him again. But never mind
that. 1t doesn't matter what he's
done; if Mother signs, he'll get every
thing. and I'll be turned into the
street. oh, dona go up. please. Bet
ter leave the house"
At that moment 1 heard voices and
footsteps above. People were com
ing down. Indeed, the thing to do
was to run. But if Charlie did ar
rive? If the old lady signed the will?
This woman would be destroyed.
must see it through. So. hurriedly.
I whispered: NO. leave it to me. I'll
shut the door. but l shan't Jock you
in. I'll go up, but l promise you she
shan't sign"
Promise" she said, weakly. nod
ded. closed the door, and returned
to the dining room.
The doctor paused: well, good
night, Doctor" said my host. I'm
afraid there's no chance"
mot much" said The doctor. but
I'll be round at o'clock After all,
nature can do more than medicine"
He went out, and the elderly man
turned toward me: I'm awfuIly sor-
ry you had to wait I hope you don't
mind. Now, since you're so good as
to help us out of this difficulty, per
haps you'll come up to her. And re-
member to call her Auntie"
As 1 went up the stairs my cour-
age was oozing away. Automatically
I followed my guide, but the desire
10 run away. to avoid entanglng my
self In anything so risky. anything so
criminal, was strong upon me. But
still I went up; to entangle oneself 8
The essence of ali adventure. Thus,
as the door softly closed behind me,
found myself by the bedside. The
lights were low, so family illuminated
the features of the three people in the
room, a hospital nurse on the other
side of the bed, the servant who had
ct me in, and another maid. But
registered these only vaguely. My
eyes were fixed upon the figure that
ay in the Stuart four-poster, sur
mounted by a canopy of crimson bro
cade Powered with gold. She was
such little thing. the old lady in her
vast bed. Her attitude was one Of in
dnite WEAKNESS; she lay cheek upon
The pillow, one thin hand family NOV
ing upon the coverlet, a large band
age covering the whole of her forehead
and her eyes. She was pitiful, so
small and weak, and the effect Of the
sick room had already been created
for bottles and glasses stood upon a
small table; there was a cylinder OF
oxygen. and the faint smell of sick
ness, the close, half-scented smell, al
ready filed the place. Then the elder
~ man touched my elbow, and l went
to the bedside.
"Ch. istine," he murmured, heres
Charlie The old lady did not reply;
7 rrrfgl bona
that she might be dead, and that this
tragedy would thus be ended. But
the thin hand persistently moved, and
I found myself recognizing a resem.
blance with her daughter, the same
straight nose, the beautiful old faded
lips.
Christine" he repeated, his tone
made anxious with the thought that
had occurred to me- He touched her
hand. Christine, it's Charlie"
1 saw that I must play my part, so
bent down quite close and murmured:
"Auntie! Auntie Christiner =,
At the sound Of this new voice she
suddenly seemed to revive. A tremor
ran over her features, and she made
an effort to sit up. which, with the
swiftness of cat, the hospital nurse
repressed.
"Oh what is it," said the old lady,
vaguely, as If aroused from a dream.
It's Charlie" l said.
It was horrible and charming; she
smiled, and the thin hand moved about
vaguely, until I slid mine into it: 'Oh,
Charlie" she said, I'm so glad you've
come. 1 didn't think you'd come"
why. of course, came, Auntie.
You didn't think I'd leave you alone
when you We're seedy."
Charlie" she whispered, hurriedly.
don't say I'm seedy. Don't be silly"
There was something quite sharp in
the whisper; it revealed the imperious
women she had been. Indeed, she was
cross: why haven't you been to see
me for year,"
This embarrassed me, so 1 was
vague: "Oh, well, you know I had to
be away"
Yes. 1 know, but 1 should have
thought you needn't have spent year
IN America. Still. dear, it's your bust
ness" She pressed my hand, and I
hated myself Then she added: you've
changed. Even your voice is differ
emit"
Poor boy" said the elderly man,
| CHEFS got an awful cold But look