The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-08-31
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will you go to the funeral?" he
asked.
IF YOU want me to-" she prom
ised. Poor dear Redl You came
here for sympathy. and bumped
into one of the usual fracaSes. I'm
awfully sorry"
"Oh, that's all right
TIE lit a cigaret casually. Re
II member. if there's anything I
can do. old dear ="
You mean if I want to get mar
ried?" she laughed.
Exactly"
"All right. I'll let you know,
Please go now, dear. Bob's prob
ably round the corner somewhere,
with his watch in his hand. check
ing upon your exit"
Damn Bob" he exclaimed. do
you suppose he'd really take Rita
away? Or was he Just trying to
throw scare into yOu?'
Il think he was trying to fright
en- me-" she said
We'll. you get hold of me, if he
tries to start anything, honey. /
can beat him up, if I can't do any
thing else. The funerals day after
tomorrow. You won't forget, Molly?"
How could I forget! I'll have
seen Bob before then, and every
thing will be settled. I'll have good
news for you"
L hope so" he told her.
Molly spent the rest of the night
In the nursery. Once Rita woke.
And, mrmuring. "Hanny," stretched
out her little hand. for Molly to
hold Molly put on the night light,
and Toasted her eyes on the child's
lovelinesS. Her cheeks were pink
and her mouth was like a crimson
rose.
There was a poem in the Fifth
Grade Reader. when Molly went to
school. 1t was about a baby who
said an angel kissed her as she
came by.
Molly tried to think how it went,
but recollection eluded her tonight
AttlN WAC WY III W. diAl pun lltl
head against the side of RitaS bed.
Size slept fitfully and dreamed hor-
rible dreams about losing Rita. She
was wandering through a great for
est. filled with wild animals, looking
everywhere for the child. Calling
and crying. And stumbling as she
ran. praying that nothing had be-
fallen her beloved.
Hello. mammal"
She woke with a fearful start,
dreaming that she had found Rita
by an open grave. searching for
someone who had died.
The child laughed at her alarm,
and threw her little arms about
Molly's neck. and kissed her.
Tell me. dear. who had you
rather live with-daddy or me? Had
YOU rather stay in your beautiful
big nursery, with all your pretty
playthingS. and have all your lovely
little dresses. and everything you
want-or had you rather go and
live with daddy, and not have any
nursery at all, and"
TINE child laughed derghtedly. It
J. was new game they we're
playing.
I'D rather live with you n daddy
bofe." she cried.
But if you couldn't have us both,
darling?"
I'D rather live with youl' de-
clared Rita. pointing her little fin
ger. And I'd rather live with daddy
tool"
Molly sighed.
You're a born diplomat she
said.
She spent the morning in the
park with Rita, and they had lunch
con together in the nursery. Every
moment today was precious jewel.
At three the butler announced
Bob.
He was calm and courteous today.
with a sort of detached politeness.
First he apologized for the I'M
pleasantness of the night before.
1T was a bit melodramatic," she
conceded coolly. Rather like the
movies, don't you think?"
1T was the only way could con-
vince YOU that I was in earnest,
he declared. Il had to show you
how much it would mean to you to
lose Rita"
"Oh, no. you didn't. knew quite
well. Was that the only reason
you staged your charming little
act?"
Il wanted you to know that the
Law is on my side. You can't
possibly keep Rita without my con-
sent"