The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-07-01

Nan reflected, with bitter disgust.
Cant you see what her game is?
In the first place. she doesn't want
to be bothered with taking care Of
the child. and in the second, she
knows he is much more potent
weapon against me in this house
than he could possibly be in hers
Aloud, however, she said coldly:
"Of course she knows that the court
gave you custody of the child
OUT Of the corner of her eye she
~ saw Morgan bow his head upon
his breast. "Yes-she knows that,
But if she insisted, would let her
have him, Nan, no matter how
much I should suffer from losing
him. A child and his mother should
not be parted"
She left him" Nan could not
forbear reminding him.
"She admits that" Morgan said
heavily. "We-mustn't be 100 hard
on her, dear. She has-paid pretty
high for her-mistake."
Nan turned sharply so that he
should not see the cynical smile
which twisted her childish mouth.
After a moment she was able to
say, with genuine feeling: I'm glad
she has been generous about Curtis.
It would break my heart to lose him
now" But as soon as the words
we're uttered. she could have bitten
her tongue in two. Would he in
terpret those words as a yelled. in
direct bid for his sympathy and for
his loyalty? She would die rather
than plead for the continuation of a
relationship that had become hate
full to him.
Il must go to Curtis now" she
said hastily Then I think I'll go
to bed, John. I'n-tired. III say
good night now"
She was about to walk away from
him without offering him even her
hand when she heard him spring to
his feet. His arms closed about her,
held her close against his breast
But to save her life she could not
relax in his arms. although every
nerve in her body clamored for her
to forget pride and cling to this man
whether he loved her as much as he
loved the other woman, or not.
Dear little Mani" he muttered
huskily. his lips against her hair.
You're wonderful. You'll be
patient with me, won't you, dear?
I-need you"
Why didn't he say. Nan. it's you
I love. I'm sorry for Iris, but I
love you. You're my wife" Since
he hadn't said those words or any
think like them. Mans body re-
NAMED stiff and unyielding. "Of
| course, John" she answered in g.
voice that sounded impatient. The
mans arms dropped as if she had
struck them from her.
Good night, Nan dear" he said
slowly, heavily, like a man weary
unto death.
Good night, John. You'll call the
hospital again tonight to see how
Bdgars is, won't you? 1t would be
/ terrible to have him die, when he
could help young David so much
His low voiced Eyes" followed her
out of the room, up the stairs, its
weary sadness nagging at her ears,
knocking at her heart.
CHE found the door of Curtis
- room locked, or rather bolted,
for the boy had not been trusted
with a key, lest he lose it. She
knelt down, after trying the door,
and called softly through the key
hole:
cts Nan, dazzling. I've come to
tell you a story before you go to
sleep"
There was no answer for a full
minute, while Nan waited, trem-
bling. Had the boy as we'll as the
father cast her out Of his heart?
Then tear-choked voice called out
angrily: Go 'way!"
"All right, darling" she called
cheerfully through the keyhole. 9TH
| go if you want me to, but really
thought you'd like to hear how the
Wright boys made the first airplane.
I'd been thinking of letting you and
Little Pat make one like it-only
smaller, of course"
Lucky she'd been reading the
story of the Wright boys only last
week! She couldn't lose Curtis
she couldn't! She loved him too
much. and needed him now so des-
perately. -.
There was the thud of heavy
body, the rush of padded paws
across the floor, then the welcoming
whimper of a dog snufling at the
door Cop want me to come in,' y
she laughed, her voice very tender
and coaXing.
A lighter thud. Little feet pat
tering, reluctantly at first, then
eagerly. A bolt shot back. The
door opened a crack and one black
eye. drowned in tears, studied Mar
with a heartbreaking mixture Of
longing and hostility. "All right
C'mon in" hiccupy little voice in
vited ungraciously.
She was careful. when the child
opened the door wide, not to take
him in her arms, not to let him see
how much she wanted him to be
friends again.
Can me and Little Pat make a
airplane, honest?" he demanded
suspiciously, as he climbed back into
bed.