The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-07-11
CRAPTFR XLVTrr

1.AaaG AaEt AIN AL
TT v'as Sunday evening. the fourth
i day Of Curtis almost fatal i'll
ness Nan rose from a chair in the
front hall and faced DIT Black, who
had Just come downstairs from his
usual early-mOrning visit 70 the lit
tie patient The mother and father
~ ere still with Curtis: now was
Mans opportunity. but her voice was
so ChOked with agitation that at
first the doctor could not under
atand what she was trying to say
70 him.
yes. yes. child The boys go
ing 70 be all right Dr. Black as
Sured her. taking the girls vrith-
ing hands and forcibly separating
them. You mustn't let yourself go
like this Nan or you'll be my next
patient"
Il said" Nan easped, struggling
70 release her hands. that if Cur
IT'S is going 70 get well, then Tn
I'm not needed any more, and I
can go"
Cor Dr. Black interrupted with
5tsrp establishment Go where
child? Are you crazy?'
I believe 7 ami" Nan moaned
"If I am not now, I Will be, unless
7 get away! tell you, I can't stand
1t any longer, Dr.. Black
"So-yOu're gutter. Nan?' the
old doctor asked gently.
yes. a gutter, if you want to
call me that" Nan agreed passion
ately. I can't stand it any longer
the three OF us, John, Iris and I,
under the same roof. There are
some Things too hard for human
endurance. Dr.. Black
Nan, why did you marry John
Curtis Morgan?' the doctor inter
rupted gravely.
You know Because he and Cur
it's needed me" Nan flung up her
head and glared at her former
champion
You didn't love him?" DR.. Black
insisted gently.
That not fart You know 7
loved hin-love him now with all
my heart, Nan cried But I mar
ried him because he needed me-
he and Curtis"
And you're willing to quit now,
because YOU believe you are no
longer needed2' the doctor prOdded.
They have-herI" Nan reminded
him vehemently. They both seem
to want her-more than me-
Listen. Nan; I'm telling you,
In all seriousness. that they never
needed you more No. Waitl
Listen to me- Have you thought
what would happen to John Curtis
Morgan if you desert him now?
You would be leaving him at the
mercy Of every scandalmonger in
the town. His fair reputation,
which no one has guarded more
jealousy than YOU have, would be
ruined. his Morgan is not his
wife As it is, with you here as a
char erOn-"
A WILD hvsterical laugh ripped
"A out Of Mans throat. That's
good! she gasped. I'm needed as
a sop to convenionl My sole func-
tons now are to be a servant to
Iris Morgan and a chaperon-oh!
Delicious irOnyl' And she laughed
again-a dreadful sound.
stop it, Mani" the doctor COM
manded, almost roughly. I know
it's purgatory for you, child. but
you've got to stick it until Curtis
is we'll enough for me to send that
woman packing. I can't do it now,
with the boy still as sick as he is.
But 7 give you my word, Nan, that
I'll send her back across the street
as soon as Curtis is unquestionably
out Of danger Of a relapse
You've borne a great deal. child
Can't you do this one thing more
for the man you love?"
Nan stared at him long minute,
her eyes tragic, beaten. Then, Il
suppose so" she said drearily.
And So for another week, she
endured the thousand and one
humiliations which Iris cruel in
genuity COntrived for her. Like a
servant, she waited upon the nurse,
the child. and the woman who had
taken possession Of the home as
u she were its legal mistress.
During that week Of waiting for
release. which seemed like a year,
Mans only comfort was III the
child. It was an exquisite joy to
watch life and health slowly flow
ing back into his wasted little body,
10 see his black eyes widen and
glow with welcoming love when she
paid her brief, surruptitious visits
to the sick room.
Every vestge Of his temporary
hostility to her, engendered and
cruelty fostered by his mother, had