The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-01-28


her name called excitely. behind her.
Looking around her. she saw a very
pretty young woman hurrying
toward her a baby carriage thufnp-
ing after her.
Barbara. when did you get back?
My, I'm glad to see you!"
well, Wilmar' answered Bar
bara. Il hadn't any idea you still
lived here. Everything's so changed
since the old days. just came in
last night"
Wilma bent over and put the
brake on the baby carriage. Il d at
live here. We moved out a ar
ago. Hated to give up the bungalow
but the neighborhood got so bad
we couldn't stand it any longer We
were losing money every minute we
held the place. You were lucky to
get rid of that big house of yours
when you did. Property here isn't
bringing anything now. Do you
know, I've used your MADEIRA lunch
con set more than anything else
have?'
A loud voice from the perambu-
lator broke in upon the converse
ton. Wilma rushed around to the
front of the carriage and lifted the
covers anxiously. Barbara followed
and looked over her shoulder. A
round pink face in a fluff Of white
wool bonnet smiled at them APP
parently the wall had been only
bid for notice.
did you ever see anything like
him?" asked Wilma.
Barbara stammered. Il suppose
every baby is more wonderful than
every other baby" she said. But
this one really is exceptionally
pretty"
Wilma smiled at her son. "Of
course he is. There was never an
other like him. She put out finger
and the baby grasped it in both his
pink hands. and gurgled, wrinkling
his nose.
Wilma turned to Barbara. You've
no idea what a baby is like. Babs,
till you have one of your own.
loudly as anybody. but here ] am,
singing the praises of my son to the
heavens, and not caring who thinks
/ am darn fool. | feel so superior
to anybody that's never had one"
Barbara could find nothing to say.
You're looking well, Wilma" she
remarked a little later, as they
started back down the street.
II am well. And I'm happy. That's
what makes me look like this.
Wilma fairly radiated content from
her plump pink and white face.
We'll, / must leave you here,
said Wilma, when they reached
cross street. You're not staying
down there at the old house for long,
are you, Babs?"
Barbara Dire Sped her eyes mo,
not for long"
Wilma spoke hesitatingly, with
evident emb,trr Sssment. Just as
friend to friend, let me give you
tip. The woman who has the place
isn't much good, Barbara
Barbara flushed. I'm leaving to
day. simply had to have a glimpse
of the place, the inconsistencies for
it was so strong. But I'll never be
homesick again. | haven't any pllce
to be homesick for, after this.
Barbara walked back down the
street.
She walked very slowly, breathing
deeply and trying not to think. She
caught her breath as she came oppo-
site her old home. Its squalor in
the morning light was more extreme
than she had yet realized.
She glanced at the room upstairs
in which she had slept. The rents
i'm the blind were clearly visible from
the street The window Ia the sew
ing room suddenly flew up and a
curtain struggled out into the air.
Barbara turned in through the
gate and went up the porch steps.
When she entered the hall, there
was no sign Of Mrs. Crumpett. The
dining room door still stood open.
revealing the dust-laden table and
the overturned chair The door of
the living room was closed. Barbara
saw card tackled on it. but she did
not trouble to read the name.
Barbara walked toward the stairs
The musty closeness of the house
had made her head begin to ache
again. She climbed the steps slowly
AS she reached the upper hall, the
bathroom door flew open. Barbara
saw a woman come out with a bun