The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-09-25
TIL.
CHAPTER XII

TITS too long, Faith Cherry
walled Grossly. II told you 1 want
ed it just to my knees, and it's two
inches below them"
Faith, on her knees before the lit
tie figure in the new printed chiffon,
pushed damp wisps Of hair from her
perspiring forehead with weary
hand. But I keep telling you that
a bouffant skirt can't be clear up to
the knees, CHEEKY! When you dance,
it would swirl way above your knees.
Besides, there isn't time to do a
thing to it now. It's half past seven
and I've got to battle and dress yet. >
mo daughter of mine is going to
wear a dress any shorter than that
Jim Lane walked from the cluttered
dining table into the living room,
spectacles pushed high on his fore
head, the sheets OF the afternoon
paper trailing from his hand. ITS
a sin and a shame the way you fool
fappers are dressin' these days"
"A lot you know about it, Jim
Lanev' said Mrs. Lane, waddling
heavily into the living room, waving
a palm leaf fan to cool her face.
eff you're going to sew for Cherry,
Faith, l should think you'd make her
dresses like she wants EN-"
ooh, Lordr' Faith groaned, sink
ing back upon her heels and fiinging
an arm, across her eyes, as If to shut
them out. Here I've worked all
night and all day to get her dress
ready and this is the thanks 1 get
for it! I wish I had never stuck the
scissors into it!'
Faith Lane, how dare you talk
to your mother like that" Mrs. Lane
bent over the girl and snook her ian
in her face. "Ive a good mind to
slap your face for you, young lady,
even if"
But the sentence was never fin
ished. Mrs. Lanes voice thickened
queerly, then suddenly her big body
lurched and fell, knocking Faith flat.
The girls arms went out, heaved at
the fainting woman's body. Jim
Lane was Juggling, too, with all his
strength. Between them, Faith and
her father got the heavy, inert body
into bed, while Cherry stood by,
wringing her hands helplessly. -,-
It was 8 o'clock when the doc
tor arrived, and Mrs. Lane was con-
scious again, her lips purple, per-
SEPARATION ice cold upon her brow.
Faith had worked over her mother
steadily the half hour before the
doctors arrival, with Jim Lane awk-
wardly assisting. Cherry had fled,
weeping Historically, into her bed
room with one last violent charge
hurled at her sister, Now look
what you've doner Junior was out,
and JOY, playing in the streets, had
not been summoned.
High blood pressure, tricky heart,
the heat" summed up the doctors
diagnosis, when he had administered
a sedative and had given directions
for Mrs. Lanes cure during the
night.
"Oh, DR.. Atkins" Faith was
startled to see Cherry, fully dressed,
ready for George Fruits party, step
out of her bedroom and accost the
good looking young physician. rs
there ny-any-danger?"
She'll be all right now--for to-
night, at least" The doctors APP
preciative eyes took in the copper
curled little figure. IF you were
planning to go to a party go right
ahead She'll be all the better for
the quiet"
II wouldn't go a step If I thought
there was any real danger" Cherry
told him, her golden eyes filling with
tears. TITS just little studio party
at the Pruitt s-the Lincoln Fruits,
you know"
When the doctor had gone, Cherry
whirled on Faith. who was looking
at her with steady, scornful eyes.
Don't look at me like that, Faith
Lanel don't see any reason why
both Of us should stay at home!
And you caused it all! If you hadn't
made Muggy angry by sassing her.
1t Wouldn't have happened"
That's not true, Cherry. I told
the doctor all about it. He said 1t
was likely to happen any time now.
She's really sick, Cherry, awfully
sick, I'm afraid. It's not fair of you
to put all the blame on me. I feel
like a dog anyway" She covered
her face with her hands and began
to sob heavily.
ooh, Faith, I'm a little BEAST I'm
sorry! But you will stay with her