The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-03-18
CHAPTER XVI
Gathering Clouds

feeling very much ashamed and
very, very weary and sore. DIR. Nc
Donald, whom Deke had known for
a long time, was grinning down at
him. Joy was sitting weakly on a
chair near his bed.
''For crying out loudr' said Deke
disgustedly, sitting up and wincing
at the reminder Of bruised muscles.
You're a sweet one Knocked DIR.
Mcdonald. Faint away Hike a la
do dab Victorian and scare your
young lady here half into eternity"
ooh, pleasev' joys soft voice
was beseeching. Don't make fun
of him. He's been awfully brave to-
night"
Mcdonald smiled at her. Deke
groaned little and got to his feet
throwing off the cover Of the bed.
"See here, Mac, I want to talk to
you, privately he said. He stopped
by Joyce a moment. do you want
to stay here tonight to be near your
mother? I think they can arrange 1t,
can't they Mac?"
The two men went out into the
corridor and Joyce sat waiting.
Presently they came back.
''Deke's got everything fixed up"
said DR.. Mcdonald cheerfully. Nov
you stay here with him until I come
back from the surgery"
cts all right, JOY" said Deke, sit
ting on the edge of the bed. II
fixed it so the papers will have
hard time getting any kind of story,
even if they do smell rat. You
stay, here tonight, and If your moth
err is better in the morning you can
go back to Mrs. jenkins"
won't she think it's funny that
I don't come in all night?" Joyce
asked
''That's So" Deke thought a min
ute. "I'll call her-no, I'll get my
mother to call her. That will sound
better"
"Deke," hesitantly, "Deke, will
they wake me early enough to go to
work in the morning?"
Del1e could not help laughing.
You precious DdUSy lie SACle1A1iCI'
care you worried about that?"
"I've got to CO." said Joyce seri-
ously, unless, of course. unless
Motherdear should, should get
worse. It's more important than ever
now"
Deke had too much respect for
her resolution and good sense to try
Ill \, DRY " n
ever's around when you go to bed
that you want to get up early-6
o'clock, isn't it?'
Joyce nodded. "Deke," the same
hesitant tone. "Deke, must tell
Dads about, this?'
DR.. Mcdonald came in. looking
professionally cheerful.
"Your mother has a good chance,
Miss Darling" he said. "She's NOT
out of the ether yet, but the signs
are good. They got the bullet and
it's a clean wound. She'll be pretty
weak from loss Of blood, Of course.
But I think you may hope"
"Thank you," said Joy gratefully.
''What time is it?"
Deke looked at his watch and gave
an exclamation Of surprise. Would
YOU believe" he said, that it is only
10:3O?"
MOP Joyce was amazed. ut
seems like a century since We
"Since we nearly staged a pet
ting party" finished Deke with
smile.
Joyce felt tears rising to her eyes.
She choked back a sob and pressed
Deke's hand. Good night" she
said, land thank you"
Mrs. Daring lay white and inert
with a nurse in attendance. Her
eyes were closed, her face waxlike.
"Joy, Joy, Joy, JOY" she was
moaning again and again.
''She is speaking my name. Does
she want me?" Joyce asked.
"She's not conscious yet. She
won't be fully conscious for hours
probably. from shock and the
ether. You might speak to her. 1t
might quiet her a little"
Joyce approached the bed. moth
erdear,' she said softly. Mother
dear. 1t Is Joyce. speaking. Joy,
your little girl
The painstricken woman moved
little. Joy, Joy, forgive me-" the
words were distinct. Forgive me-"
Let me tell you everything, Sure
ly you will forgive me. I did it all
for you. Joy, Joy, JOY" and she
lapsed back into her delirium.
Joyce leaned over and kissed her
mothers white cheek. then She went
down the long bare ball to the room
assigned her for the night.
Some one shook her awake at day.
break.
"Your mother is conscious now
and wants to see you," said voice.
Joyce sprang to her feet. How
is she?" she asked.
Doing fine said the nurse. L
don't think you have thing to
worry about. But she's pretty rest
less and before we put her to sleep
again we want her to see you"
Mrs. Darling, whittier even than the
evening before, it seemed to Joyce,
smiled family at the girl.
- MOtnerQedf. JOyCe ~ was pSAulhS'
over the high hospital bed. She
kissed her, mother tenderly Don't
try to talk now" she whispered.
Mrs. Daring pressed joys hand
feebly. your father" she said
weekly. Mustn't know. Promise"
Joyce looked pityingly at her
mother. IT won't tell him Mother
dear" she said.
The nurse, hypodermic needle in
hand, bent to give Mrs. Daring her
ralaase from pain and shock. joyce
Il