The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-07-14

| If life put his death on her hands
she would be vanquished.
Now, in the blessed relief, she
stood on the corner holding the pa
per before her. Her eyes blurred
but such an uprush of joy in her
heart as she had not felt in f1fteer
months. Like a complete and gen
| tie absolution-like special mercy
| Of Providence.
Lee Whitman was not dead. He
would not die. So near he had come
to it! But Chickie did not loiter over
this, She caught the threads o.
hope. She was almost in tears be
cause of the weight and terror drop
ping from her thoughts.
The account in the paper was
evasive:
Lee Whitman, missing for the las
| five days, has returned to his home
| in Winetka, suffering from CUR
shot wound, it was learned today
Considerable mystery surrounds thu
disappearance and the shooting.
"Norp whitman, oil magnate, ant
father of the boy. states that his sor
set out last Wednesday on sketch
ing tour. He is alleged to have los
| his way in the hills and, attempting
to retrace his steps, fell into ra
vine. The pistol, which he habitu
ally carried on these trips, is sale
to have accidentally discharged, in
| f1icting the flesh wound in the left
side. A. E. Stokes, farmer, who
| found Whitman soon after the &C
cident, was unaware of the young
mans identity and Of the fact thai
searchers were combing the country
for a trace Of him.
1.-The physician in charge reports
the wound not serious. The police
have definitely abandoned their in
vestigation."
Finishing that account, Chickie
drew such a deep, audible sigh OF
gladness that a little woman in a
white, duck skirt looking at bar
gains in the store window, glanced
up and smiled. Chickie said eagerly
isn't it a lovely day."
She tucked the paper under her
arm and hurried. The mad honk'
ing of automobiles; the narrow
crowded streets dazzling under their
golden sun and the girls in bright
sport dresses pouring from the build
ings, took on a festive air. Faces
seemed open and friendly. Chickie
had a wish to smile at people; to
thank some one because a great
kindness had come 20 her. She
wished that Mary Blake were walk
ing at her side; that she could say:
"Oh, Mary darling--if you could
only know"
At the entrance to the tunnel she
stopped for a chat with the bent old
women selling her papers. They had
become friends. Chickie said gayly
Hello, there, Julie! How's the luck
today?"
Julie motioned for Chickie to wait
while she made change for buster
ing, excited man.
Then Julie shook her head. I'm
mense tears rolled slowly down her
cheeks. "Coras boy has the diph
iberia, Miss Chickie. She's lost two
already"
"Oh-nobody dies with diphtheris
today, Julie. Don't you worry!'
Then Julie wanted to know II
Chickie were sure, and did she think
they could save the lad? Cora was
her daughter one or those
magic people forever followed BY
misfortune. Her husband was E
brakeman. He was killed. Two o.
her children died the following win
ter with the "fu." She earned hel
living as janitress. She had only
this one little son left her.
Chickie said: ooh, he won't be
| taken I'm just sure
and she was just then so full OF
trust in an unseen goodness that she
could have squeezed her heart ant
offered its thankfulness to any one
who needed.
Julia wiped her eyes. Mice in yol
to stop, Miss. Will you be inquirins
tomorrow"
Chickie dropped a dollar in jules
hand and wouldn't stop for the
change.
| She went into the back yard and
called to Wilde. He went leapine
| to his corner and came with the
leash in his mouth. And they walked
so quickly, with such a spring, thai
the dog perked his ears in a lordly
strutting way. He jumped up once
to give her hasty lick with his
tongue.
Chickie laughed - long, bright
laugh. Wilde stopped and begar
paving with his front feet. He die
this whenever he became excited.
Now his deep, shiny brown eyes
were full of inquiry, as though ht
said: 'Ho-out for a lark, are we
All right if I wag my tail?'
Chickie caught his neck and SHOOK
it. Nights and nights he had walked
along, moodily, sensing her quiet
rubbing his flank against her dress
A hundred times she had beer
warmed by this comfort.
| Tonight she was touched by the
selfless devotion. She ran when he
pulled too hard-then she called fol-
him to stop. They reached home
breathless. For the first time she
felt nghtness in her heart.
But, going through the hall, she
found a letter in the rack. She
paused, studying the envelope
though she knew 1t well. 1t was
from Norp Willman's Office.