The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-08-08
CHAPTER XXXVI

wv door of her home she saw at
once that something had happened.
The place was in confusion. A
trunk, closed and-Bertie Lou soon
found out-locked, stood in the CEN
teer. of the living room.
Worn collars, an old hat, a pair
of shabby shoes, were piled into the
wastepaper basket. The desk was
open and had the appearance of
having been hastily ransacked.
An empty cardboard suit box,
with crumpled tissue paper-Bertie
Lou couldn't recall what had been
packed away in it-had been kicked,
apparently, against the wall, out of
the way of some one in hurry.
The cushions on the davenport
we're disordered. Had Rod slept
there without making his bed? Had
he been to bed at all? 1t was his
habit to put his pillows and covers
away in a closet each morning be-
fore he left. And usually he placed
the daytime cushions in very neat
and precise row.
BERTHE Lou told herself he had
not been to bed at all. Her heart
seemed to stop beating with the
next thought that came to her.
Why had he gone away like this?
She flew to his closet, opened it and
saw that it was empty. It was
strange that he should stop to pack
all his clothes if he were running
off with Lila.
No, it couldn't be that! Rod
wouldn't do thing of such low
order! But something must have
happened very notwithstanding
that had caused Rod to forget, or
not to care, that he had promised
to let her know when he's had
enough of their hollow nockery Of
marriage.
But this was shabby! To let her
come home and find herself de-
serted in this FLOODED manner!
And he didn't have to do it. 1t
wasn't fair! BERTHE LOUIS whipping
pain began to give way to anger.
She blamed Lila. Rod couldn't have
been so heartless if he had not been
so heartless if he had not been in
fuenced.
1t was at that moment she
CHANGED to see the withered gar
denia that she had kissed and left
for Rod the night before She
snatched it up and f1ercely tore it
to bits, as though she could thereby
destroy the love that had prompted
her to put it to her lips.
Sol They thought they could
treat her like an old shoe, did they?
Cast her off like that heap of old
things in the wastepaper basket
And she had come home dreaming
of a chance to pour Rods coffee and
make his toast. They might be
breakfasting together at this very
moment. Even then, perhaps.
BERTHE Lou tried to laugh, but the
tears ran into her mouth when she
opened it. It was rotten of them,
acting as though she had tried to
stand in their way. Rod sneaking
off in the night, like thief in his
haste. 1t was contemplate. She
wouldn't stand for it!
Then, for the first time since en-
tsring the apartment, she went into
Der own room. And there, on her
dresser, propped against the breaker
Of. roses, she found note.
1t was cold as ice in its restraint.
Rod told her merely that he was
leaving and would send her, as soon
as possible, the name of a lawyer
through whom she might communi-
cate with him.
It nearly broke BERTHE LOUIS
heart. Perhaps it would have had
she not been buoyed up by her
anger. No matter if Lila was to
blame Rod shouldn't have allowed
himself to be such cad.
BERTHE Lou believed she could
hate him for it some day-but not
yet. Not quite. She was suffering
too cruelty not to know that she
loved him in spite of everything
But her anger remained sufficient
ly strong to send her to Lila. If
they had not gone away together,
Lila and Rod, BERTHE Lou still had
q chance to let them know how
despicable had been their conduct.
She would tell Lila what she
thought of a girl who would marry
for money and then work day and
night to enmesh a former lover in
a low intrigue.
She threw back the silk covers
on her bed and sat up against the
lace-trimmed pillows. The room
was in semi-darkness with the
shades close drawn to keep out the
daylight.
One, near the bed, was half way
up to admit air. Lila jumped out
of bed and hastily pulled it down.
She must. she guessed, look a sight
Rage always left its mark on her
features, and she had ragged through
the night. Exhaustion had forced
her to bed just before daybreak.
But ste had not slept.
She was barely back on her pill
lows, with a soft rose-shaded lamp
burning on a stand at the head OF
her French bed, when BERTHE Lou
was admitted
Lila received her abed. She had
sent word at first that she could
not see her, but BERTHE Lou had told
the butler she would not leave until
she saw his mistress. Lila inquired