The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-09-07

ting like his house d. she starved.
Where we're you when you got
his letter."
"EL?" The eyes that met Brent's
were blank. Where? Vangie
was hungry >. and the kid =. she
wanted food for it =. but wouldn't
let her write -
But she did write Brent in
sisted.
yes, yes she said the baby
cried too much but l wouldn't
let her tell him anything >"
Not when your child was born
or where?"
Nothing! nothing!" The answer
came in the shrill treble of child,
palpitant with impatience. I've
fooled himl Thought we were going
to write again, beg for money, whine
for mercy
isn't there any record he could
get hold of; find out some of these
things you haven't told him?"
"Record?" Nellin repeated vague
ly. Record? I've fooled him, tell
you'll"
"All right" Brent said soothingly.
And now what are you going to do?
Aren't you ever going to tell Cum
bingham of his daughters death?
g. rotting in his house -
the mood of detachment had re-
turned, Brent realized. He glanced
at his watch. He'd have to be going
he saw, surprised at the lateness of
the hour.
Here" he said, reaching for his
wallet, and extracting small bill,
take the money and find place
to sleep"
He thrust the bill into the grimy
fingers, noting as he did so that
they were long and slender, an indi-
cation that Nellin had told the truth
about his artistic occupation of
earlier years.
And be around here about this
time tomorrow night. l may be
able to do something for YOU
ORIENT got to his feet, picked up
y his hat and strobe over to the
cashiers desk.
Before he reached it, however,
he paused and beckoned She waiter
who had served him. Look after
the old chap" he said, not forget
ting to accompany the request with
a reasonable tip.
I've asked him to meet me here
tomorrow night In the meantime
1 shall look around for some way
to help him. Sorry spectacle, these
old beggars on our streets
Eyes. sir. I'll keep an eye on
i'm" the waiter answered.
Brent paid the bill and left. The
rain had stopped, but he hurried,
and called the first empty cab he
saw.
At his destination he was adj
mitted into a modernistically fur
nished apartment by a maid whose
air plainly told him that he already
was judged guilty.
AS he handed his things to her
he smiled. "A bit late, Cora. Has
Miss Segro dined?'' he said pleas
antly.
Not yet, sir the maid answered,
but I'm afraid cook has gone out;
it's her night off, sir
Brent went on into the living
room and took a seat on the low
crimson divan. On the floor at his
feet he saw a book that he could
easily guess had been tossed there
in a temper.
Well. he told himself, he wouldn't
have to put up with Carmels tenn
permanent much longer.
Presently she came in. Sinuous,
exotic woman. Brent rose to greet
her. his distaste for the scene he
anticipated mixed with admiration
for her.
She was so much the type of
woman he admired-but she had
outlived her usefulness to him. She
was known in Shanghai, in Cairo,
in Oslo. in Buenos Aires. in Bombay.
Men did not forget her. She was
hallmarked with danger.
You look older" he said quickly,
using the most effective means he
knew TO head off the storm. 1T ages
you to lose your temper, Carmel"
Then whyl.whyi whyI" she cried.
do you keep me waiting? Is it
that you like to make of me the old
bag. no? 1 tell you! 1 will not &C
ceptl I will not tolerated"
Breunt laughed a forced sound.
Business before pleasure, my dear, :"
he said bromidically.
"Businezz?a Carmel sfrieked. "Ahi
It is forever businezz with youl
Have you no time for anything else7"