The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-06-15
BY Gilmore Meherin
CHAPTER Gil.
The Fight

lie F1BnC
HE looked into the baby's
basket. 1t was the one dis
tinct, quiet thing in a room
growing dim, swaying as with fogs.
They rose in a heaving sea; they
stole the breath from her.
Hurryl In Gods name, hurry!
But she didn't think; she saw
pictures flying through her mind.
Jonathan shouting at the open
window, and she, running and rum
ming. The window banged down and
that awful shadow leaped against it,
Jennie crying: "Chickie-oh, Conner
But her hand touched the baby's
fingers-oh, such delicate, pointed
things, and the nails were a work
of art. It didn't stir-little, un-
protected creature. Suddenly Chickie
saw BERTHE Groom and the welt on
the frightened, soft cheek. She
shivered. No-oh no-a tiny thing
to suffer So
She leaned down, whispering to it
and to herself. ST won't. Mo-
couldn't! I never could" Her tears
fell on baby's blanket-she kept
wtping them and trembling.
She raised the baby. Ho! Jennie
would be glad. Jennie was so warm;
such a plump, kindly breast-lay the
baby there-put 1t in her mothers
armsl
Suddenly she saw Jennie's elbow
grading the child; heard Jennie's
high falls stto grooming to it. A great
softness like musk played in her
Thoughts.
DO tnab-go-take the baby with
her-give it to them.
She wiped the heat from her
neck, but the throbbing at her
throat quickened-it beat wildly.
She began pulling things from
drawers, showing them in her
trunk letters, clothes, books. She
snapped down the cover and locked
it. She SAID quietly, "Get there to-
night"
Emily Faris came into the room
with the chicken. Even in the hall
way she began to talk: Nov
you'll feel strong as lion after this
melt in your mouth. When 1 was
down with Clemency-she's my
fourth
Chiche saidt ibid Billie come
back with the carr"
Land sakes, mol He's gone on
to see Ryerson about the bean
money. He won't be along till
late"
Chiclde said to her thought: ''I'1
have to wall1-not far" She could
scarcely breathe. She made a
hasty shift in her plans. Now she
would have to send Mrs. Faris away
the woman wouldn't let her walk
to the train. She said to her:
Didn't you say you needed some
clothes?"
"Oh, there's no great hurry, Mrs.
and get them. Out here N the
wilderness we don't fuss like city
felix's do. OF course
'"But you might as well go now.
I feel fine, and there's g. little sun
TODAY. Go while It's fair.
'Well, If you don't mind-it won't
take me long. Do you think you'll
be all right for an hour7"
why. yes-Im perfectly fine to-
day Take your time. You needn't
come till Six"
From the window Chickie saw the
stout short figure and the wind
ba1looning the wide skirts. Mrs.
F'nris seemed to be driven along.
the wind was so stiff.
ri HICKIE was alone. For a
IL moment she was unable to
III move because of the excite
ment. Of the hush and the fears.
She wrote note:
Dear Agnes Robbins:
"My mother Is dying. I just got
word from my father Of a horrible
automobile accident She isn't ex-
pected to live through the night.
They were on their way here from
the East to surprise mo. I must go.
I can't wait here. Forgive me for
this haste. brt you can under
stand.
IT intended asidng Billie to drive
me to the train. but he's away. I
was afraid Mrs. r'aris would try to
nhFN