The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-07-13
BY Gilmore Meherin
CHAPTER XIII
Accusation
10 On WITH THE STORY

4. HE left Winnetka yesterday morn
ing. He was very much shaken.
He said he was coming here"
Norp whitman spoke heavily. He
had been standing with his weight
resting on his hands. Now he
turned the chair and slumped into
it, half shading his face with a
great handkerchief. "Ie didn't get
here?'
Chickie answered with her breath
crowding and faint: Yes She
tried to think clearly, but the air
was thick and damp. 1t seemed ris-
ing in waves, half drowning her
HE got here?"
ooh, yes"
The fathers somber eyes surveyed
her, then shifted. He passed his
hand again and again over his face.
''Do you know where he went, Miss
Bryce? Did he say what he was
going to do?"
AS he asked this the blood seemed
to drop from his cheeks. Chicks
stood before him, her eyes lowered
as one accused. The sense of guilt
pressed upon her, robbing her Of
strength.
HE didn't say; no--he didn't
say"
whitman rose, standing uncertain
and struggling. He started to
speak, became absorbed rubbing his
hand over his hat. Finally he tore
the words out. my son is a
strange boy. He always was.
understand he was in love with you
quarreled with his sister yesterday
on account Of you"
Chickie closed her eyes. Yes"
Pardon me-if you would tell
me how he left-you are the last
person to see him. How was he?
Did he make any threats?"
1t became now an effort to breathe
AN. effort to keep the form of Lee
Willman's father from wavering be-
fore her. Yet she heard in her mind
an imperious command, like another
voice, ordering her to speak; de-
handing that she put down this vio-
lent weakness that went with such
heavy pulsing through her nerves.
She said in a low, distant tone:
There were things told about me.
He thought them false. When he
found that they were true-I told
him so; 1 had to tell him. Well, he
left. He didn't say word. He
left"
You quarreled? He left in an
ger?"
She shook her head. I'VE didn't
quarrel He left That's all"
But Chickie saw the crushed, ac-
cusing look on the young, ashen
face, heard that sound as it came
broken and living in its pain from
Lee Willman's lips. She shut her
eyes, pressing her fingers against
her throat.
Norp Whitman came to her side.
He kept brushing his hat with his
palm. What do you think, Miss
Bryce? Will you answer-was he
desperate? He left his own home in
! frenzy"
II don't know-he was only here
! moment.
The father stood there trying to
wiring words from her, asking ques-
lions, until finally she went and
leaned against the bed, covering her
face with her hands. I've told you
all-everything.
MY son, Miss Bryce, my only son.
If you hear, will you let me know?
VIII you phone at once?"
She nodded But I won't hear.
Oh, if you would ask something that
I can do. If knew where to go
I would do anything-anything."
She saw Lee Whitman lying in the
country, face down, no life in the
long slender form Her thought re-
VOTED against the image, against
the judgment that she had brought
him there. Yet she turned sick with
fear.
She followed Norp Whitman to
the door. She looked into the mans
quiet, gloomy eyes: Can help?
Do you want me with you?"
He put on his hat, pulling it down
in listless way, a thing lonely and
pitiful like a great failure, about
him. ''No-I have searchers QUIT