The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-12-31
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kinds of labor, who had been with.
out work for months.
Listening to their tales of sick
and dependent families, he realized
his own need was small in compari-
son. May of them had come from
the east expecting to fall into some
kind of position Some of them had
been without steady employment
for more than year.
Sunday morning. being in no
mood for Dimples, he strolled
around the Plaza Square, listening
to the various doctrines which were
being expounded.
An old Negro man, old as Uncle
Tom," waved an open Bible and
misquoted from it wildly. A white
man with band about his flowing
hair announced that he was the
Prophet John and held forth on the
virtues of being vegetarian.
Were all crazy" cried another
to the watching youth, but stick
around. You'll get an earful."
A middle-aged Negro man, sweat
ing profuse1y, expostulated against
Catholicism, His dusky lady sat
| enthroned before him on q soap box.
She was the only woman present,
but there seemed to be every ma
tionality of men-Mexican, Indian,
Italian, Greek-hungry, reeking
with Bolshevism, desperate for
work.
Not one of them would have gone
inside a church, yet they stood
around the square in groups, ap-
proving, wondering, questioning or
silently listening, seeking an answer
to the tragic problems of their lives.
The pity of it, thought Howell.
The comfort, too, that here perhaps
they were gaining a little spiritual
satisfaction-a satisfaction which
was lacking to the boy who stood
In their midst.
|. At last, weary and discouraged, he
took a bus to Santa Monica, where
he lay on the sand for what re-
manned of a restless, distracted day.
AT midnight he was waiting outside
the candy SHOP.
Madalyn's greetings was not so
joyful as usual.
ooh, it's you, is it?"
who else would it be?"
For answer she lifted the narrow
line of her eyebrows and sighed,
You come around so seldom I've
almost stopped expecting you"
IF you take that attitude you'll
make me wish I hadn't come this
time"
Suit yourself" she said, indifer-
emily. 81 don't know as it matters
to me-"
TTER panSy face looked tired
IL Poor little kid He hadn't been
very attentive.
whats the matter, Madalyn?
Are you cross at me tonight?"
I'm tired of this part time devo-
ton" she replied.
But told you that first evening
that had nothing to offer any girl
and you said it didn't matter"
Il said I don't expect you to spend
any money on me. Times different
thing. You haven't been the same
since that night at the beach"
1--WE had a lot on my mind
financial difficulties and SUCH"
Il guess that wouldn't keep you
from coming to see me if you wanted
to-" she said Shrewdly.
Suddenly he felt he could not bear
to continue the argument
I'm low tonight" he admitted
Il came hoping you would cheer me
up. Please don't be angry!"
Her face softened.
You mean you really came hop
ing I'd be sweet to your"
"Of counsel Why else should ]
stand outside the shop and wait fol
you?"
Smiling now she tucked her hanc
inside his arm.
"All right, then you shall see how
sweet I can be-"
Her nearneSS fell upon his parcheo
and dusty spirit with thirst quench-
ing GOODNESS. He needed some one
Some one who would understand
and Madalyn was the only person
in Hollywood who really cared fol-
him.
She walked beside him silently
Offering unvoiced sympathy, which
was as he wished it. When they
i reached her porch, she did not re-
move her hand. Together they
assembled the steps; together opened
the door and went inside.
i They stood In the darkness wait
= ing.