The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-05-24
CHAPTER CIV.

the front steps. She dropped her
key; tried several times to insert it
in the lock- She said with short,
sobbing breaths: Dear me-dear
me-" and when Douglas opened the
door she glanced at him in surprise,
She was unable to speak. with those
queer, small movements going about
her mouth. She dashed her hands
to her face, heart-breaking sounds
humming at her shut lips.
Sounds more terrible than Sandy's
moaning. lie flung an arm about
her: Jaw, don't do that, En-. What
are you crying about?'
She pressed against him, her head
cringing-pressed as though she
would annihilate herself.
He tried to see her, lie said I'M
ploringly: Say, Em-aw, listen,
I'm. Gee, Ma"
This was frightful-that his moth.
er had to know. That he had to
stand here and see her with her
poor little hands driven against her
comfort.
You won't look at me- En-? DO
YOU think I did it? Think l had
anything to do with ito"
"Oo-no-nO-nO-
Then look at me, En-, for I
want to tell you something. l never
met this fellow. l don't know how
he died. l wasn't in his office
when those shots were fired. l had
nothing on earth to do with it. No
matter what they tell you, En- this
is the truth. So I'll get cut 6: it.
En-, think you can buck up and
make it easier all around? Make it
lot easier to know you're sure
sure about me- And that you can
stand it-that you won't cry over
ii, -" raNs'
Emma Keith raised her head
Tears swan, round and full il her
eyes. But they were proud, beam,
ing eyes. She wanted him 20 kiss
her--kiss her thin, twitching lips
ease the fearful shock that had come
10 her.
She followed him with a desperate
eagerness to the kitchen. She held
the cups while he poured coffee he
had made. Her eyes dwelt on him
they embraced him.
And she spoke in an awed way as
though some unforeseen tragedy Of
the elements had overtaken them
an. earthquake rocking the house
from under them--a tidal wave
sweeping in. A thing inconceivable
and appalling-a thing no one could
understand, descending upon them
like the wrath of a primitive God.
But you're sure you'll get out Of
It, Douglas? They do terrible things
I've read Of terrible things"
Not in this day and age En-.
Sure I'll get out of it. They want
to find out why that fellow wrote
my name on his blotter. They think
7 know and won't tell them. So
they're likely TO keep at me, En-
many keep at me for a week or so.
How did you come to tell them
was out Monday niGht?"
&&$
She looked at him in stupefied
alarm. why, ! only told them
after YOU sent word that I must tell
the whole truth. They brought me
your message that you'd decided it
was better TO tell everying as long
as you had nothing to conceal"
oh, they brought you a message
from me?"
"Why. yes. Are you sorry I told
it? Will It make it worse, Douglas?
DO you thing now that you shouldn't
have told them?"
Mono, Just wondered if they
brought my message to YOU, En-.
That's all"
But she was shaking from head
to foot. Poor little En-. If she
GUESSED what she had done--telling
them he was out the whole of Mon
day night; telling them he'd been
at the office working. And all the
office staff knew he'd not been there.
He got up and carried the dishes
to the sink. He thought oppressive
ly: II wonder if I'll be doing this
tomorrow. Wonder if they've really
got much on me-"
The cup dropped from his hand.
a ringing-the front door bell ring
ing.
Wait, En-. Wait! Want to tell
YOU something. I may have to go
down there again" He was blanched
TO the lips. En-, if l do and they
make you come-if they put you
through all this again. remember
this: l won't send you another mes
>rTNN