The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-12-05
CHAPTER THREE

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for breath, HowelI's soul revolted at
the unfairness Of it. His father had
done so much to ease the pain Of
others; had driven so patiently
through midsummer heat or wintry
Billiards, leaving his comfortable
bed, without a word Of complaint
fate might have been more
generous. Might have taken him
without such an agony Of suffering.
Some quality of youth shrivelled
and died in the boy as his father,
secure in the belief that Howell's
future was decided, passed away.
If the old doctor could have
known the passionate resentment
sweeping his sons heart, surely even
then he would have made an effort
to quiet with the magic of his I'M
derstanding, youths eternal rebel
lion.
In the midst Of his mothers and
sisters weeping, Howell stood, dry
eyed. So this was all it amounted
to. A life poured forth unstintingly.
Unceasing, devoted, service rendered
without regard for remuneration.
And in the end as cruel, remorse-
less a death as any he had cheated.
Death, in a shabby room, where
even the worn carpet and faded wall
paper were eloquent witnesses of
the injustice his father had SUI
fered.
He became conscious of a hand
upon his arm. His mother, leaning
heavily where she had never leaned
before, was whispering, "Oh, son
thank God you're left to me-"
Yet through the days which fol-
lowed Howell walked alone. I'm
able to express himself to any hui
man being.
He's taking it awfuIly hard" the
neighbors said, after each kindly,
food-bearing visit.
An array of layer cakes, delicious
meringe covered pies and bowls of
salad and mayonnaise was in the
Spotless kitchen. Howell knew each
culinary marvel expressed much real
unspoken sympathy, yet he could
not touch a bite of them.
Only the relatives who came from
out of town enjoyed the delectable
feast. His mother, bravely choking
down toast and tea, pressed food
upon them, concerning herself even
in her grief with the comfort of
others.
Agnes, exhausted with sorrow and
what they called her delicate con-
dition," was put to bed and did not
appear until the funeral. The sub
dued rustic of excitement in the
house tortured Howell. If only these
well-meaning people would go away
and leave them alone.
He spoke of this, irritably. the
night before the funeral. when he
stopped for y moment in his
mothers room.
She answered, reproachfully,
But I want them, dear. They are
my friends. Every one of them feels
a personI bereavement in the loss
Of your father"
LIE could not understand. The
4 Il raw, quivering, ache in his
heart could bear no touch, however
sympathetic, unon it. He was COM
PEELED to suffer in silence. Striding
over snowy, deeply rutted roads,
where once the disreputable Ford
had ratified, searching for relief from
memories he knew would haunt him
always, Howell realized that his
final decision had been made.
Whatever happened, he would not
return to medical studies now, would
not continue a career which offered
so little.
The morning Of the funeral he
learned that Jacquelin Bordini had
pursued her gold-strewn path to
New York.
She'll be there for some time"
Mrs Tewsbury reported, in the
hushed tone every one was using.
shes going to make some pictures
there"
Howell felt a sudden delicious
warmth at the mention of her name,
remembering, even in the numbness
OF his grief, how Jacqueline had
whispered. You're too good-looking
for this little town"
It seemed ages ago. -.
The beloved doctors funeral was
held in the church to accommodate
the crowd of people. It was a place
he had little time to frequent while
he was living, although 1t seemed
fitting that he should rest there
now.
The coffin, heaped with flowers.
was open so that every one might
see him. This seemed sacrilege to
Howell, but his mother would have
it so.
"He belonged to them, too," she
reminded him.
She seemed to feel a strange,
fierce pride in the long line of peo-
pie which passed reverently before
the body of her husband. The
tears flowing from their eyes
seemed in some mysterious fashion
TO dry her own.
Mothers with children he had
brought into the world placed lit
tie, homemade wreaths among the
more expensive flowers. Raw bonec
countrymen held their hats awk-
wardly before them and stared
down with embarrassed, grief filled
eyes. Most of them owed their lives
to the doctor Many of them Howell
never had seen before.