The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-09-24
SIIIR W MID I'D

the ver- latest idea. They were TO
be married in the Spring.
Sybil was carrying white It's
sue package, tied with satin rib
bons. A nightgown of knife-pleat-
ed chiffon in palest flesh, with pink
satin roses peeping through the
sheernesS of it.
Her engagement gift to Mabel.
And, primarily, her excuse for in
truding on busy Wednesday
afternoon.
The telephone operator directed
her to the third floor. Mabel was
clinic director of a place called the
G. Y. N. Sybil did not know what
that meant, but apparently it was a
clinic for women-the most depreSs-
ing, distreSsful women.
They sat about on benches, their
damp clothes odorouS in the I'M
pleasant warmth of the place. 1t
was raining out, and slushy, and
some of them had left rubbers on
the register.
Now the rubbers smelled, and
their cheap furs reeked with the
loathsome smell of wet dyes. Chill
dren played about their knees, cling
ing to their skirts.
They were unhappy, frightened
looking children with running noses
and ugly, misfit clothing.
Mabel looked up from the desk
where she sat before a great card
index. A woman who had been
crying softly turned away, and Ma
bel wrote on a little card and in
serted it in the index.
Next Thursday then, Mrs. Bren-
nan" she said. And you mustn't
be frightened
THEN she saw Sybil standing
Il uncertainty in the doorway, her
eyes shifting from one frowsy
wretched creature to another.
In a second Mabel had crossed the
room, her white clinic apron blow
in govt behind her like a starched
sail. She threw her arms around
Sybil and kissed her on the mouth.
"Sybil Thorne! I haven't seen
you for ages. Only this morning 7
was saying to Aunt Emily, I simply
must phone Sib-I don't know what
she'll think of me- My dear, I'm
glad to see you. What an adorable
jacquette. Sit down honey. I've
forty people waiting to see me-but
let EN- wait. What's the news,
Sib?"
Sybil proffered her package.
I've been intending to get down
with this for ages
ooh, my dear, it's lovely-per-
fectly exquisite!"
Mabel handled it rapturously.
"I never say anything so beauti-
full"
"Well, that's not all that brought
me down." admitted Sybil. and
glanced apprehensively toward the
X-ray rooom. Can anyone hear
us, Mab?"
mot a soul dear. What's on
your mind 81
I'm going to have a baby"
The night gown slipped from
Mabels fingers and all the joy in
her good plain face turned to
misery.
Are you sure?"
Il went to the doctors yester-
day. Next May, he says"
Sybil turned, suddenly faint, to-
ward the window, and, when Ma
bel had opened it, she leaned on
the sill.
spasmodic dry chokings and
horrible sounds came from her
throat. She threw her arms over
her face, to stifle the noise she
made.
cit wouldn't be so bad-if-if-"
She could not say it.
There were tears in Mabels eyec.
but SYPHILIS were hard and dry.
Don't, DEAR" she cried. 1T will
be all right"
Sybil shook her head.
"It's-it's awful" she gasped, Il
hate him, Mabel hate him His
baby...."
She stood with her back to the
window, and her head against the
glass, moving it restlessly. Her eyes
were wild and hunted.
(TO Be COntinued)
Sybil and Mabel prepare for
Christmas at the Settlement
House. And Sybil, her heart soft
ened, discovers that she does not
hate Richards child. A new
glimpse of SybiI in the next
chapter.