The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-04-16
SANDY S Author hnts "9 @ca MIcKHir;

dear. Why don't you so out and
acquire a few"
At such illusions to her age, Alice
became morbid and shrewish
"Well, if l were % and knew what
l know today! She Haunted down
the hall, that shoulder-blade Of hers
sticking out pathetic and accusing.
Sandy would fold up the gift, all
her anxiety, her foreboding and de-
preston returning. Like this morn
ing when there came a shawl from
Cathay-a brilliant thing with a
background of green embroidered in
soft, rich hues of lavender, blue and
furnished gold. The green was like
light against her red hair and
Swallowed eyes.
Ramon's note said: Dearest, you
love these glowing things. Your old
one that you got from your unlucky
cousin, that lovely Spanish girl you
told me offs worn to a thread.
Besides, why should her unhappy
mantle fall on you? Wear this. And
may the moon shine sweetly through
!
us. L love you more"
In a flood of tenderness her
thought went out to him. She saw
! him. She saw him, bronzed, vital
and laughing. Yet always with an
other-not herself.
She remembered his gallant kind
ness. but as though she had read
of it--as though he were removed
from her. And the thing was ended.
Now. standing in the garden, this
! sense OF remoteness, Of isolation
from these tempestuous days. en-
compassed her. She felt quiet as a
nun.
Often in the night, sitting alone
with her mother, this causeless,
poetic sadness filed her. But the
next day she would be fevered and
restless. She would whisper to her
| self In agitation: This isn't going
to last! 1t CAN'T last" she meant
the dullness-the depressing empti-
ness. Then her dreams would sail
| buoyantly to heights OF romantic adj
ventur1ng as they had in her girl
hood.
She went In now and filed the
hot water bag. Isabel was cold. Her
hands and feet were icy. Sandy
went up the dark. creaking stairs,
running her hand along the old red
lincrustra.
At the landing, she heard Isabel
groaning. She ran.
Her mother raised her hand aim
lessly as though to brush the hair
from her forehead. Her head lay
back on the pollows, the mouth
open.
But she heard Sandy's step and
made a faint effort to smile. All
the prettiness was gone from the
plump, soft face. The eyes had a
haggard, troubled look. But this
faltering attempt to smile sent a
rush of tears to Sandy's eyes.
WAS 1 gone long, galubchik7
had to make the fire. Are you very
cold?"
She touched her mothers hands
and was terrified. The fear was
gnawing all the time like a small
live thing on Sandy's heart When
she saw that blue line of her moth
er's lips she told herself: ITS been
that way--it's no worse"
Then she listened to her noisy
breath. It's no louder--it's Just
the samep"
But the hands and feet were
Jumps of Ice. She chafed them
She put the bag against them, ran
down stairs and filled the bottles
with hot water.
She was afraid to return. She
didn't want to go back to her moth
er's room. She dried the bottles
slowly. Then she went tearing UP
the stairs. Pood Isabel--poor little
Isabel left alone there with that look
Of fright in her sweet. shallow
eyes.
Sandy leaned down and whispered
in her mothers ear: Are you In
pain. darling?"
Isabel shook her head
Sandy stared at her mother. She
told herself, shaking: "Shes dying
Lord, she's dying. ia better call
them"
But she stood motionless. her
mothers hands gr1pped on hers. II
can't leave her"
Isabel wished to speak. She mo-
toned for Sandy to stoop.
Sandy kissed her. She touched her
mothers cheeks. do you want
anything?"
"Yes-wait-don't leave NEEDN'T
go away again You were gone
long-too long"
ooh, mother=no-"
Isabel braced herself, her hand
tiinging wildly up to her forehead.
"Sandy-are--you happy?"
'Yes-happy as can be-"
Sandy took those cold hands and
held them against her breast. She
said in q stricken, hollow tone: III
call Angus--mother, do you want
Angus" And she was so fright
ened she could scarcely move
afraid lest Isabel would pass and
she there with her alone. The cold
hands against her breast made her
think Of the baby-that little child
of hers who lay so quiet and so still
against her heart.
She said: "Mother-4walt---| and
fancied again that vague, faint
smile on Isabel's lips. "Motherr'
Sandy dropped on her knees. hid
her face in her mothers hands. She