The Indianapolis times., 1929-12-03
CHAPTER THIRTY -FOUR
OUT OUR WAY


D EPLACING the newspaper clip
IN ping in her desk, Mrs. Rogers
returned TO her chair at Edna side
and resumed her narrative.
1T was, indeed, a wonderful plan
that was conceived and successfully
carried out by Mrs. Johnson" she
said. 1T was agreed that I was to
go to her in Indianapolis and when
the baby was born she was to keep
it and l was to return to Lebanon.
Mrs. johnson returned to In
dianapoliS and told her friends and
her neighbOrs in the downtown
house where she lived that she was
going to Chicago to visit relatives
Her husband who was a travelling
saleman, was only home at week
ends. but he was to stay on at the
fiat until she returned.
But Mrs. johnson really did not
leave Indianapolis. She went out
far on the north side and rented a
furnished apartment. She gave an
assumed name and posed as a widow
with an invalid sister
Then she sent for me. 1t was
given out in Lebanon that ! was
taking position in indianapolis as
the companion of a wealthy woman,
who Travelled a great deal and prob
. ably would spend the season III
Florida, taking me with her.
This ruSe was adopted to foreStall
any efforts of our Lebanon friends
to learn any Indianapolis address
with the idea of visiting me. Father
objected first to my leaving home,
but gave in when it was explained
TO him that the southern trip would
be good for my health.
And 50 l came to indianapolis,
to the secluded little apartment on
A side street, as the invalid sister
This was in December. 1906. l shall
never forget the day, cold, gray, with
a mist of rain.
e. Il never felt so alone in the world
as l stepped Off the traction car
iiA the OLD interurban terminal sta
lion. But Mrs. Johnson was there
to meet me and she whisked me into
q NdD w LllE lldL. AEliidAliIh AiANiA
nearly four months.
Mrs. Johnson took every precau-
ton against Illustration of her care
!. fully laid plans by chance recogni-
ton. We stayed close to the fiat
and went out only at night for
needed exercise.
NO one visited us, not even
~ vr-hn
municated with us secretly by mail
Mrs. Johnson thought of everything.
provided for every contingency. She
even supplied me with a small sum
OF money each week to send home
81 Spart of my wages to help out
the family, thus giving support to
the fiction of my employment.
I'VE remained practically prison.
ers in that little fiat, throughout
the winter. They were not alto
gether unhappy days Under Mrs
Johnsons cheerful. generous. loving
guidance, the black despair of tie
preceding months gave way TO
hope.
II grew very fond of her and was
~ IOllOh IlCl NNbAASNAs ONANAN
her marriage she had been steno-
grapher. To pass the time and to
keep my mind of myself, she
taught me shorthand and helped
me perfect my typewriting. We
spent hours at it and became quite
proficient.
"The time of my great ordeal
rapidly approached. 1t had BEEN
decided that I go TO the city hos
pital and arrangements for my re-
ception there we're made by Mr..
NJohnson.
Mrs. johnson remained alone al
the fiat when, on the appointed day,
I was met by Mr.. johnson who TOOK
me to the hospital i'll a cab.
Nov comes the strange, increo-
ible part of the whole story, the
core of the clever plan devised by
Mr., and Mrs. johnson for my pro-
lection and the safe future of the
yet anborn baby.
II was registered at the hospital
as Mrs Frances Johnson. wife OF
WilIrzm Johnson. and their down
town apartment was given as their
residence. In other words. Mrs.
johnson and I exchanged identities.
I had been carefully rehearSed in
my part and Mr.. johnson acted we'll
his role of the anxious husband and
prospective father
During the weeks / was at the
hospital he visited his wife fire.
uuently and spent many hours with
gme. The nurses and attendants we're
lcompletely deceived. l remember
one of the nurses saying to me. you
ought TO be very proud of your hus-
band. Mrs. Johnson; never saw
such devoted young man.