The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-11-12

ers at Sheridan'S right. He was
won at once by the old-faShioned
charm of the handsome, motherly,
elder woman and equally attracted
by the modern vivacity of her pretty
daughter.
Edna was a girl of the type he
most admired, a well-balanced mix
ture of the new and old, quick wit
ted, given somewhat to piquant
slang and not overbound by con-
sentative conventionality, but adapt
able to any company, her speech
and manner under control Of a
clever intelligence.
The attraction was mutual.
Though retaining the nerve of youth
spiced with a whimsical humor,
Sheridan possessed a more mature
outlook than the boys with whom
Edna had been associated.
A normal girl of 20 and man of
% or 80 usually are nearer an equal
ity of understanding than boy and
girl of the same age. Edna found
that she could be herself with Frank
Sheridan and not be misunderstood;
their thoughts seemed to follow the
same grooves.
Toward the end of the dinner,
Sheridan was neglecting Mrs. Rogers
Shamefully and Andy was throw
ing jealous glanceS in the direction
of the man who was absorbing
Edna's attention so fully.
However, it was only Andy's van
NY that was wounded; his interest
in Edna was not so much of the
heart as of the pocketbook, and he
was carrying on an aggressive f1irta-
ton with the girl at his other side.
Sheila had invited several of her
friends as dinner partners for the
surplus men.
Nor did Mrs. Rogers feel neglected
At her other side was Sheila' s
father and, as Sheila had predicted,
the two took to each other "aS ducks
to water"
AS older folk ll,they found COM
mon ground and interest in discuss
ing and comparing the past and
present. To them the glories of the
gay Cos" far surpassed the present
era of jazz. They were as old
friends in a few moments.
How strange are the ways OF
destiny! Here at this little dinner
party four lives found new turnings
that we're to carry them into un-
dreamed-of realms. Long afterward
Frank Sheridan looked back upon
that night and pondered on the
trickery of fate!
THE dinner was served by a ca
Il terer. Out in the kitchen, Clara
the WILDER cook. had been dispoS-
sessed by the caterers chef, but
Lena, the maid, was assisting two
soft -footed, black-clad walters IN
the dining room service.
Clara refused to retire from her
domain. Seated in a stiff-backed
kitchen chair, she glared upon the
intruderS and commented upon
their operations with unconcealed
contempt.
Lena, as opportunity offered,
slipped out to the kitchen veranda
with choice tidbits from the feat
which she passed on to her steady"
who was seated in the deep shadow
of a cluster of vines awaiting
Lena's leisure at the conclusion of
the dinner.
James WeStervelt. one of the
Demorel Company experts. gave an
exclamation of surprise when Lena
made her first entry into the din
ing room.
How do you do, Mr.. Westervelt?
she said rather TREMENDOUSLY, noting
his startled recognition.
Lena Swart How did you get
here?" he replied. Addressing
Sheila across the table. he contin-
ued, Lena was a maid in my
home for several years. She left
us-let's see-how many years age
was it. Lena?"
Almost seven, sir"
MY, my! 1t doesn't seem tina
long. I am glad to see you so vel
situated, Lena"
Following the dinner Westervel
found an opportunity to speak Il
Sheila alone. 1T may not be s
charitable thing to do" he said
the girl may be all right now. but
she left our employ under a cloud
and I think you ought to know
Small sums of money and little
} articles of value had disappeared
, and she was dismissed after the
thefts were traced to her"
"She has been with us severa
years and there has been no cause
for complaint" Sheila replied.
Perhaps she learned a lesson ir
her experience with us" said Wes-
tervelt, end the subject was dropped
The other Demorel expert. Samue
E.,lorlax. uas accoxaaraaraiad hzr his