The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-08-14
-HAPTER XXIX-lContinuedD


That would be fun, I dcss,' dc
ciarod the little girl politely. viii
we take my daddy and Essie? And
my dollics. and the big bunny?"
oh, we'll have lovely party!"
promised Molly. And Wen invite
cycrybody-daddy and Elsie, and all
the dollies, and the Easter bunny.
But l guess maybe we'd better wait
until VIC get all moved in, don't
you?"
What's al moved in'?' demanded
Rita.
Such child" moancd Miss
Smith. Shes a regular caution,
Miss Burnham. Always askin' ques-
tons. Little pitchers, as my mother
used to say. have big ears. The
things that child picks up! MY
word, it isn't decent
Molly was of the same opinion.
The sooner she could get little Rita
away from the unwholesome at
mosphere OF her fathers fiat. the
better it would be.
After dinner, Molly put the child
10 bed. And, shortly afterward, pro-
testing that she was very tired,
asked Bob to phone for taxi, to
take her to the Copley. She would
stay there until she found an apart
ment.
When the cab came, Bob took her
10 the door He was very quiet,
and Molly was glad that he made
no further excuses for the presence
Of Elsie.
Before she had driven to the end
of the street. she missed her bag,
and remembered that she had left
it on the divan. She had the driver
turn about. and, when they reached
the apartment, asked him to ring
Suite s. and ask if he might go in
for Miss Burnham's bag. A mo-
ment afterward, she thought it
might be more gracious if she ran
in for moment herself People
like Miss Smith were so apt to take
offcnse at the most trivial things.
She ran up the stairs. and reached
the door as it closed on her driver.
She could hear Elsie'S Shill voice.
Have a drink, Big Boy? Your
frosty fare froZe this little girl to
her marrow"
Ssh. Elsie" demonstrated Bob
But Molly had turned and fled.
In the taxi she dropped her burn
Ing face in her hands, and tears
dripped through her fingers. But
whether they we're for Rita, or for
her outraged pride, she did not
know.
Red was waiting in the lobby of
the Copley when she reached there.
I reckoned you'd come here" he
said. And I had such darn good
news. 1 wanted to spill it in person.
Durbins been trying to get you on
the phone all evening. He was so
insistent about it that 1 called him
back an hour ago. Told him was
seeing YOU, and asked if I could
take a message.
"Well?" She lifted her tired face
queStioningly.
ITS like 1 said, dear. He's alb
solutely sold on it. Says it has Del
phine beaten ten days. You can
write your own contract. from all L
gathered. And he wants to put it
on pronto.'
Molly was very tired. She felt
not at all the way successful play
wright. receiving good news, is sup
posed to feel.
That's fine" she sighed. You're
awfully, good, Red"
She laid her hand affectionately
on his arm. I've never asked. be-
cause you seemed so reticent about
it. I've wondered sometimes if you
thought me unsympathetic. But
I've often wanted to ask you =. :"
You mean about my mother?"
he interrupted. shes just the
same dear-always just the same.
She'll never be any different, till
she dies"
"She didn't hear anything about
that silly rumor?"
Not a thing. dear. Don't worry
your little head about that"
ID ED took her hands in his.
IN See here, old thing, you're all
done up. What's the matterP Did
Rita's death hit you so fearfully
hard. dear?"
"Oh, it's not Just that" she told
him YEARLY. It's everything"
Cant you snap not of it? Any
girl who can sell plays like the rest
of us eat NEAL Good gosh, Mol
", what's eating you? You ought
TO be the happiest kid in the whole
damn country"
ct know. Red Isn't it funny?"
"Yeah-it's a scream. A perfect
scream. I'm apt to bust my sides,