The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-11-19
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toned you to me, but then you
know. fellow isn't blind, especially
when there's a lovely lady whose
acquaintance he wouldn't mind
making
My, amt that nice!" she ex-
claimed. And you and Andy are
buddies! Say, I got a swell idea.
I've just moved into the hunky-
doryest little fiat up on Mt. Auburn
and I'm giving a housewarming
Saturday night. Whatcha say you
come along and join the gang?
Andy's going to be there"
You're on" said Sheridan, but
keep it dark from Andy until I ar
rive 1 don't want him to be chal-
longing me to a duel. Tell him you
invited me on account OF one of
the other girls"
CHERIDAN was fish out of
~ water at Mercy's party. Not
since his college days had he en-
countered such unleashing of youth
full animal spirits, such unrestrained
abandonment to the gaiety of the
hour
With difficulty he cast off a feel
ing of deep depression. In painful
contrast to this scene of reveiry
wholly different picture came again
and again to his minds eye.
Dust to dust. ashes to ashes!" he
heard the droning voice of black
robed clergyman speaking above an
open grave in Spring Grove cenle-
terry. Only few hours before he
had been present at Lena Swartz's
burial. He still could see Sheila
sobbing softly. a handkerchief to
her eyes, leaning YEARLY on the arm
of Edna Rogers.
So far as officialdom was con-
cerned. the case of Lena Swartz was
closed; but, by the gods, he would
not rest until he knew the truth
of it!
He arrived late at the tiny Mt.
Auburn apartment. The party was
in full swing. AS he entered he was
greeted by a shouting chorus. sing
ing Hail, Hail, the Gangs All
Here"
I'll de damned!" exclaimed Andy
as his eyes fell upon the newcomer
Who left the door open?"
Ike Sellers. acting as dispenser of
fiery refreshments, Immediately
proffered a drink. Sheridan took
the glass and slipped gingerly of its
contents.
Sure, it's poison" Andy laughed
THE label on the bottle reads, The
UndertakerS' Friend but we must
have it. Be a sport and get your
tombstone carved"
Mercy introduced Sheridan with
an air of triumph. The rich Frank
Sheridan, you know" she whispered
in an aside to Willy Darnley.
willie" originally christened Will
helmina, was Homer Mentions latest
attachment, a manicurist who
spurned that obsolete title and pro-
claimed herself "beautician."
Willie was a dangerous beauty,
lately arrived from Atlanta and now
installed in a downtown barber
shop.
"You-ah know Mistuh Menton?"
she asked in an exaggerated south
ern drawl.
"Oh, yes, indeed" Sheridan re-
piled, shaking the lawyers hand.
In fact. I was in his Office only
this morning" Sheridan never did
anything by halves. To cover the
bluff of his first call at Menton's
office he had returned and given
him a small legal commission.
Sheridan. much to his discomfort,
became the lion Of the evening.
Parasites and gold diggers" almost
without exception. these other guests
of Mercy fawned for his favor.
A man of great wealth did not
often come their way. Andy was a
mere 'piker" in comparison. Willie
Darnley promptly dropped Mention,
to that cynic's sneering amusement,
and chung like a leech to Sheridan.
Willie was arrayed as the lily Of the
field almost unadorned, save for
a liberal application of cosmetics.
Her display Of physical charms left
little to the Imagination.
But as the night fore on this at
titude of sycophancy wore of.
There is nothing more democratic
than the democracy of inebriation.
Even Willie relaxed her clutch upon
Sheridan and bestowed her smiles
and favors with generous indiscrim-
ination.
Sheridan. coldly sober. found him.
self free to look and listen almost
without interference and he
oreathedR sigh of satisfaction. Of
the others Mention. although he