The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-11-21

TO her 1aJner ABOUT LIldI. t1SL
father! Was he her fatherl. -.
She halted in her nervous pacing
and whirled about, facing the door
WILDER, returning from the country
club, entered the room and tossed
his golf bag in corner.
Hello, Sheila," he called cheerily
then pulled up short at sight OF
her distressed, tear-stained face
why, girl, what's the matter?" he
asked anXiously.
Sheila placed her hands upon his
shoulders and looked into his face
Papa" she asked slowly, with
emphasis on each word, who am
II"
WILDER, bewildered, was speech
less.
Andy" Sheila continued, candy
says I have no right to your name
WILDER fell back as if from the
impact of a heavy blow. He was
caught completely off his guard
His face darkened with anger, hi;
fists clenched.
The whelp!" he exclaimed
Good God! after all these years
and to come like this" Realizing
the import of his words, he stopped
abruptly.
He made mighty effort to erase
the fear and anxiety he now sensec
were mirrored in his contorted face
AS much to gain time as to COM
fort her, he took her in his arms
and held her close.
my little Sheila,' he crooned
my little Sheila!"
But Sheila gently disengaged his
arms and drew away. Her face was
as white as the scarf that drape6
her shoulders, and it was unnatural
ly calm. Her stricken eyes sought
his pleadingly.
Then it it true" she said quietly
WILDER groaned. 1t was useless tc
diSSemble. Sheila was no child tc
be satisfied with anything short Of
the truth.
The issue could not be evaded
God give him strength and the vii
to ease the shock of disillusionment,
he led her to a chair and seated
himself beside her.
mo, Sheila," he said gently. "YoJ
have every right to my name; the
right Of long years of love, the right
of heritage of beautiful character
given you by the sanity woman
who poured into your baby soul the
goodness that was her own"
Sheila's eyes again were wet witt
tears.
Dear. dear Mamma Francis" she
murmured. But Papa, she wasnr
my real mother?"
She was the only mother Vol
ever knew" he replied. mo, sh,
was denied the privilege of giving
you birth, but she loved you as he
own-you were her own"
'My-my real mother-is she liz
ing?" Sheila asked TREMENDOUSLY.
WILDER WINGED. Yes, I believ,
So" he said reluctantly. ct hav,
just recently heard of her after al
these years, but she knows no NOR;
of you than you do of her.
Perhaps now, if she knew, sh,
might want to claim you, to take
you away from me, to-"
''Never!" Sheila- exclaimed, -.
hate her! She cast me off; sh;
must have cast me off Or"
"She.la! Sheila, you must not say
that; you must not be bitter; vol
do not know the circumstances, The
tricks that fate can play"
L want TO know" Sheila persist.
ed Il want to know everything, M
matter how it hurts. Oh why have
been kept in the dark, living al
this time in a fools paradise? How
could you? It's cruel, cruel!"
II am the one who has been liv.
ing in a fools paradise" WILDER re.
piled sadly. I'VE thought you would
never know; We thought we hac
been SO clever. so CAREFUL We
thought We were acting for the best
for your interests"
Please, please. tell me-" Sheils
pleaded, my own father, who wa.
hep"
WILDER had been dreading thai
question. He shook his head. g
know nothing about him." he sale
simply. Sheila turned to him ar
agonized face. She must know
why did he make it so hard
Her lips trembled.
MY mother, was she married."
WILDER rose hastily and turned
away his head, but not before Sheils
saw the dreaded answer in his eyes
"Sheila," he said quickly. "let':
not talk any more about this now
You are all worn out" He leaned
over and took her gently by the
arm. Remember, Joe will be hers