The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-12-04
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

EDNA ROGERS brain was
~ awhirl. 1t was almost unbe-
lievable, this strange secret chapter
in her mothers life. She sat as one
CENTRALIZED while the startling story
poured from Mrs. Rogers lips.
She listened without interruption,
but beset by conflicting emotions
flaming anger against her mothers
betrayer, sympathy for her suffer-
ing, pride in her courage and exul-
tation in the self-sacrifice of her
confession.
Mother and daughter talked until
late in the night and the close bond
between them was knit even closer
Edna still was in daze the next
day as she went about her prepara-
tionS for entertaining her guests of
the evening. She would have been
glad to postpone the dinner, but
she did not want to break her
promise to Sheridan.
She had called Sheiia by tele-
phone Immediately after Sheridan
had made his request. To her sur
prise, Sheila accepted without de-
muir. Sheila, in truth, was feeling
the utter loneliness of her self-im-
notation and eagerly seized this
opportunity again to be with her
chum.
WILDER was perSuaded-he had
become more than interested in the
charming Mrs. Rogers. In addition,
he was delighted with Sheilas
Willingness to resume her social
activities.
Sheridan was the first to arrive
at the Rogers home Edna, on the
lookout, met him as he ran up the
veranda steps. She took him by the
arm and led him to a bench under
the trees.
mfr. Sheridan" she said softly
when he had taken the seat she in
dicated beside her, Il want to have
a talk with you before the others
come. I want to thank you for your
kindness to mother.
she has given me her full conf
dence. She has told me of her visit
to your oftice-and why. It was a
tremendous surprise TO me, but 1
want you to know that am not the
least bit shocked and I glory in the
mother-love that makes her willing
to risk all she has in the world t.
for"
st knew IT," Sheridan exclaimed
exUltantly, 4 knew you would take
it that way. I had no hesitation
in advising your mother to tell you
because I was sure you would I'M
derstand.
You. my dear girl, have been for
tunate in your heritage OF character
from such a mother. AS your
mothers daughter, you could not
think otherwise"
Edna'S eyes glowed. you, your
self, then. knowing what you do,
feel no different toward her-us?"
she asked.
Feel different? MOI Yes, 7 do
too. have a much greater feeling
of respect and admiration. Have
you analysed the compelling urge
that led your mother to seek out
and help, If need be, this unwanted
child of her past? 1t is not the
mere instinct of motherhood.
LET me explain: Your mother
was fortunate at the most critical
time in her life in having fallen into
the hands of a woman whose own
life was guided by the greatest pre-
cept ever given to humanity. She
did unto your mother as she would
have been done by.
"She shielded blameless fellow
creature from disgrace and removed
the evidence. She evaded the law
of man to obey the law of God.
She was not a church member, but
she practiced the Golden Rule as
few who profess orthodox religion
practice it.
1T is true, that in taking your
mothers baby and caring for it as
her own she, TO, was obeying the
maternal instinct, but that was not
al. I have been privileged within
the last few weeks to read a marvel
Gus document written by her-it re-
lates the same story that was told
you by your mother. She kept a
diary of those long-ago events that
changed the course of three lives.
Into it she poured her innermost
thoughts They reveal a beauty of
character that is inspiring.
She wrote in detail of her con-
versations with your mother and I
am convinced that her example of
love and charity has been the guild
ing star in your mothers subSe-
quent life. Your mother, too, does
unto others as she would be done
by and it was this great moral urge
that led her to insert that adver-
tisement In The Times and to follow