The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-03-22

talk with her at the hotel and his
visit to her mother.
'1've been afraid of something like
this right along" said Deke, Sob
erly.
You see they have caught the
big fellows in this ring, and now
they're after the little fish and all
the evidence they can get. The
most they can do to your mother
is to fine her and they'd probably
suspend that"
ut would be good deal of a
disgrace for us though" said Joyce
thoughtfully. "Deke, is there the
slightest chance of your being mix
ed up in it?"
mot unless they catch Butch.
Then I'd be glad to go on fifty wit
ness stands to help put him out of
the way. l don't feel safe about you
as long as he's at large"
81 couldn't bear to have you mixed
up in it," said Joyce.
Don't be silly" said Deke. Next
thing l know you'll be asking me
not to call for you and cheat me out
OF the only time 1 do see you"
That's just what 1 was thinking
Of" said Joyce. And she couldn't
held laughing at Deke's Disguised
look.
You try that, young lady, and
there1l be big bad trouble, and an
other kidnapping, maybe"
Joyce leaned comfortably against
his shoulder.
"Tired?" he asked. Want to ride
for a while?"
Joy shook her head. How could
she tell him that she was so lonely,
so hungry for sympathy tonight that
she was afraid of promising him too
much IL she were alone with him
along the highways in the fragrant
summer night.
So a slightly puzzled and discon-
Jenkins.
There in the parlor sat Davey.
II hope you'll excuse my waiting
here like this for you,. Joye." he said.
There were lines in his face. He
had not taken his apparent loss of
Joyce lightly. and he was far from
ready to give up the fight.
"Daveyw Joyce held out her
hands. "How nice to see youi You
look tired. You're working too herd.
How is Dads?"
He seems all right" said Davey,
pleased with the sincerity OF her
welcome. II came in to tell you
that I'm moving back to the board
ing house. 1 thought you might
like to come home to stay until
you are able to bring your mother
home"
II don't know, Davey. I'll have
to think about it, said JOY. She
seemed TO feel walls closing about
her newly priced freedom. I'll talk
it over with Motherdear tomorrow.
But she was not to see Mother
dear tomorrow, nor for many weary
days.
The hospital called her at ten
the next morning. Would Miss
Daring come over at once and noti-
Nv her father to come, too. 1t was
No, her mother was not
dying. They could teIl her no more
now.
joyce called her father at the fac
tory and then fairly ran to the hos
pital.
DR.. Mcdonald. the nurse, two girls
from the ward room on the same
floor, were all assembled.
DR.. Mcdonald put a kindly hand
On her shoulder.
your mother disappeared in the
night, last night, Miss Daring" he
said. I'VE did not notify you at
,nce because we did not believe
woman in her condition could get
Tar. We have searched the hospitai
and have asked the DO
ice to help us. She was last seen by
the night nurse about 10 o'clock
when she asked for some water. She
eft this note for you"
lie gave her a folded slip of pa
per.
Darling Joy" she read. there is
nothing more that could do except
bring public disgrace on US all. 80
[ am disappearing. Don't worry
about me. / am alive and Will be
with friends when you read this.
Forgive me again. Joyce. 1t Is best
for me to disappear from your life.
I do it because / love you. Your
mother Agnes Daring"
Joyce stood stunned. Then her
father entered She broke under
the strain. "You did this" she
cried. "You and your cold, hard
ways. She was afraid, afraid be-
cause her name might get in the
paper and you would turn her out
again-oh, Motherdear, Motherdear."
The room grew black and she
fell fainting to the floor.
When she awoke, she was lying
in hospital bed. Her father stood
at one side OF the room. DR.. Nc
Donald was there. And Deke. He
took her hand.
Here is something she left for
you, JOY" said Deke. ut came to
me by registered mail this morning"
He handed Joy thick packet OF
bills. There are five thousand dol
lars there" he said. "She asked me
to give them to you"
I'll use every penny of 1t to find
her." Joyce cried. The thought
gave her courage. She stood up,
han ou,avad O lift1a