The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-06-03
CHAPTER XXI


beautiful and desirable.
CHAPTER XXI
Don't blame me entirely, Brooks.
I'd been drinking-both of us had,
for that matter-an' didn't realize
just what was doing"
The speaker was John w. Wal
den, Jr. The place was the private
office Of Roger Brooks. 1t was on
the second afternoon following
Walden's knockout" at the hands
Of Diana Brooks when he had heard
the little brides sing"
He had come, he informed Pop.
to explain just how the thing had
happened. He wanted Diana to
know that he "forgave her in full''
held no feeling whatever Of en-
nifty toward her.
No, sir-he wasn't that kind Of
a fellow. Couldn't hold grudge
against anybody, woman or man.
Was always willing to meet the
other fellow half way-to let by
cones be by-gones.
OF course, he continued with his
ingrowing air Of condescension, the
circumstances really called for an
apology from Diana. But-he knew
women pretty well-knew them pref
t. well, he did. He knew they
hated to admit they were ever in
the wrong. Mr.. Brooks might tell
his daughter just how he, Walden,
felt about the matter, that he was
too broad-minded to ask her to
ask her to apologize, etc., etc.
Roger Brooks listened to the long
winded panegyric Of self-complac-
ency without interruption. Finally
the question came, equivocally
worded, but plain enough for Pops
Interpretation.
II guess you know, Brooks, that
1 asked Diana once a very leading
question--an important question
and She"
"She told you in plain English,
didn't she, that she wouldn't marry
your"
The leonine head had jerked
around with a suddenness that al
most dislodged the frayed straw
crown. The visitors gaze, encounter
ing the look in the gray orbs Of the
man opposite, faltered, his tongue
refusing to function.
The stiff white hairs Of Pops
scrubby mustache seemed 10 bristle
The implied something in the others
tone, his manner Of expressing him.
self and his familiar reference to
Diana constituted a whole that had
been too much for Roger Brooks.
John Walden, however, had come
with a settled purpose in his mind
and he was not to be thwarted.
His was a stubborn, mulish DISPOSE
ton which, coupled with his mon
umental conceit, made him an ugly
opponent at all times. An angry
CLEAN burned now in his fishy eyes.
"She had right to change her
mind he replied in answer to Pops
direct question. 1.-The idea was new
to her then. If she thought"
He hesitated, his gaze partly
averted. Incidentally, J. W., Jr.,
seldom, If ever, looked anybody
straight in the eye. After a mo-
ment he went on slowly, with a
logged elaboration.
II she thought-knew it was 60
ing to benefit. may be save you
from-er-well, from a lot of trouble,
she might-er-might be glad-yes,
glad-to marry me!'
Say, what in hell are you talk
ing about?" burst from Pop as he
half rose in his chair, the fingers
OF his two hands gripping the sides
in a convulsive clutch. What
d'you mean-save ME I'm a lot of
trouble? C'mon, now, cut out this
innuendo stuff-get down to brass
tacks! What Is it y're tryin' to
say7''
John Walden had lodged, actually
ducked his head at Pops sudden
move with it's tentative threat. But
he recovered his nerve as he realized
the others ferocitg was not going to
include a body chastisement.
"Why-er-you know, Of course,
Brooks, that you've got y'rself Yin
bad with certain dang'rou men,"
replied the junior member Of the
Walden, Higgins firm, a sly sug-
gestiveness in both his manner and
the tone of his voice. "Nobodyd
be s'prised to hear you was bumped
off most any old timer
The big frame in the revolving
hair stiffened.
You're a liar, Walden.'
The assertion was made coldly,
matter.of- factly.
You're liar" Pop repeated in
the same calm tone, his gray eyes
fixed steadily on his visitors face,
and you oughtta know damn we'll
that I know it, too. Your dirty
gang'n never get tn word to bump
me Off" as long as control the
Times. And it so happens, by God,
that I'm still in control here, de-
spite tn strenuous efforts tn Ring
has made to hog tn worksr'
The man he addressed ignored
Pops plain assertion that he was
a liar. but took immediate umbrage
to the dirty gang" allegation.
"You got no right to speak that