The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-10-24
CHAPTER VII
An Official Nemesis

An Official Nemesis
DOROTHY herself opened the
- door to Lila's knock. She was
wearing a cleaning crystal gown
that, at any other time, would have
At the sight of Lila's face, she
uttered a cry.
"You dear thingl I didn't mean
to brighten you out of your wits.
It's nothing terrible, really, but it
was useless to talk about it over
the telephone"
She drew Lila into the lighted
studio. A middle-aged man, with
a gray mustache. rose from a chair
beside the big fireplace.
"This is Mr.. Jackson, Lila. He
has called about the-the insurance
of your late f1ance. Miss Latham
will attend to everything, Mr.. Jack
son.
"You see," she explained to Lila,
''NIr. Jackson-er-was under the
impression that you lived hereof
yet"
Dorothy was fioundering a trif1e,
and Mr.. Jackson's gaze became
sharper, as he looked from one to
the other Of the TWO girls.
EXCUSE me, miss, but this seems
q bit irregular to me. On our rec
ords, Miss Latham claims that this
is her home, but you, miss" he
turned to Dorothy, went and tele-
phoned her to come her. heard
you"
Dorothy bit her lip and made an
inward VOW to have her telephone
moved to her dressing-room in the
morning.
Perhaps T forgot to explain that
Miss Latham was only visiting
friends for a-er-few days." she
said gently. "You see, Mr.. Jackson,
we're both in frightful hurry to-
night-Ye're dining out-aud you've
called at a rather inconvenient
hour
Mr.. Jackson reached for his hat.
II can come back tomorrow, miss.
It'll be better, because this needs
looking into bit. I don't know as
I have right to turn these papers
over to the young lady when I have
only your word-beg pardon-that
she's the right lady"
"No. no." Lila protested sharply,
giving Dorothy meaning look.
IT'D rather have it settled tonight.
Never mind about dinner" .
HER eyes warned Dorothy: "I
a L may not be able to get here
tomorrow"
Her thoughts were busy with the
fear that Herbert, if she were late
in returning, might come to the
studio for her before this odious Mr..
jackson should have taken himself
away.
what do you want by way of
proof that I am-myself?" she de-
nanded haughtily of the man.
He seemed duly impressed, little
apologetic.
you understand, Miss, that it's
not my fault"
eyes, yes, do get on" she inter
rupted inpatiently. What do you
want for identifcation?"
well, have you got some letters
that are addressed to yourself,
Or"
LettersI
Lila's gaze flew to Dorothy, but
the latter shook her head slightly.
All, yes, Dorothy had burned the
envelopes of Jack Farquahar's love
letters.
Lila looked desperately around the
studio, knowing that the situation
was hopeless. One doesn't ordinarily
find identifying things in an apart
unent, where one is not at home.
"Ah, my bag!" She caught up the
gold-mesh trif1e from the table,
where she'd tossed it. "It has my
name engraved on the clasp"
But, even as Mr.. Jackson reached
9or it, she snatched it back.
The name engraved on the clasp
was LILA Ware" 1t had been one
Of her wedding presents.
"ThiS isn't the bag" she explained
hastily. "It's-er-another one"
Mr.. Jackson's expression was har-
dening.
"Then show me the other bag,
Miss
Lilo bit ter lip.
''r-ah-lcft it at the house of the
friend 7 visited this evening" She
looked desperately at Dorothy, who,
for once, was helpless.
%CEE here, Miss" Mr.. jackson
- spoke sternly, 'it strikes me
there's something very peculiar
about all this" He glanced down
at the off1cial-looking papers in his
hand.
"It says here that you served in
France during the war. Now, Miss,
what about your Identification
papers, for one thing?"
Lila Frightened,
"I'd forgotten all about them"
Mr.. Jackson frightened, too. He
sighed with relief.
"If you'll just show me them,
Miss"
Lila took step forward, stopped
short. Despair seized her.
They're not here" she confessed
hollowly.
Suspicion famed anew in the face
Of Dorothy's unwelcome caller.
Where are they?" he demanded
shortly.
They're at-at the home of q
friend" said Lila weakly, knowing