The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-09-02
by ELEANOR EARLY

The child covered in Molly's arms
clinging and crying.
III be good" she promised. IN
be good"
"Oh, sweetheart. it isn't that,
cried Molly. Daddy wants to take
you away, darling. He's going to
break both our hearts. But you'll
feel better by and by, because you're
only a little girl. And little girls
always feel better by and by"
Il don't want to CO." protested
the child. Don't make me daddy.
DO you want to stay here, and
let me go away all alone?" ques-
toned Bob gravely. do you want
your poor daddy to go where nobody
loves him, without his little girl to
keep his company"
Rita buried her head on Molly's
shoulder. She was sobbing unre-
and her breath came in
great, heart-wrenching gaSps.
Don't you torment the child"
commanded Molly, raising her tear
stained face from Rita's curls. Il
never heard of such a cruel thing
in my life!"
But she has to make up her
mind" insisted Bob stubbornly.
Come now, Rita, stop your crying,
dear, and be a brave girl. Tell
daddy if you want him to go away
all alone, and leave you here"
aATO, No. walled the child pit
~ eously. mo, daddy"
you see?" He faced Molly tri-
Blood is stronger than
water"
Then suddenly his manner
changed. MY God, Molly, can't we
fix things up This is horrible"
Dreadful" She shuddered. Poor
baby. There, Rita. Don't cry, sweet
heart. Daddy isn't going to talk that
way any more"
Bob patted his daughters tousled
hair. His eyes were wet, and his
voice unsteady.
There, there" he soothed. "It's
all right, Rita. Daddy's not going
TO hurt his baby. Everything's 60
ing to be all right.
He averted his gaze from Molly's.
We're not in any shape to go
over this now" he said. iii get
in touch with you by and by. You
won't mind if 1 phone for an ap-
oointment later? Will you come to
,he door with daddy, Rita? Poor
little girl. I'm sorry 1 made you
,ry."
He took her in his arms.
"Goodby, Molly. It's CHASTITY
ness. I'm sorrier that I can say.
But there must be some way out
want to do the right thing. You
believe that, I hope?"
She nodded miSerably.
Eyes, Bob. Your techniqueS
;ough, that's ALL She smiled
through her tears. You and I,
a perfect genius for
loing the wrong thing"
1T will come out all right" he
insisted. Its just that love you,
Molly, and you don't give a darn
about me. Loves like an illness. Peo-
pie get over it-only, instead of feel
ing better, one feels worse"
II couldn't feel any worse my
SELF" she told him. Il don't see
how you could either. Whatever
happens. Bob, I reckon we've go to
start feeling better pretty quick"
When he had gone, Molly went to
her room to repair the ravages OF
her latest conflict. To please Rita,
she changed her dark dress for a
1egligee of hyacinth crepe. They
would spend the day in the house.
That would be safest. 1t would be
impossible to avoid reporters and
photographers, if they should go out
together.
The negligee, worn as a special
favor to Rita. was a lovely thing,
With a train that hung from Molly's
and trailed the carpet,
ike the royal robe Of a princess in
/ fairy tale. The flowing sleeves
we're weighted with ostrich feathers
he color of Chinese vermilion. Her
little slippers we're orange. When
Rita was smaller, Molly used to read
her a poem called THE HuShaby
Lady from Rockaby Street" Now
Rita. when Molly wore her hyacinth
negligee, called her The Hushaby
Lady. Molly thought the name was
and wore her lovely robe
for the very JOY OF hear
ing Rita cry, "Oh, see the Hushapy
Lady,"
She changed leisurely, and then
went to the nursery. Marie was sit
ting by the window. sewing.
where's Rita?" she asked.
Marie sprang to her feet.
why, I thought she was with
YOU. Miss Burnham. Natsu told me
Mr.. Newton was here, and that Rita
was with you"
But Mr.. Newton has been gone
half an hour. Where's NatSu?
Molly rushed into the hall. "Natsu!
Natsu! Have you seen Rita?"
The buffers yellow skin grew
pale.
She left the house, my lady, with
her father. I supposed you knew.
"Oh. nv God! Get Mr.. Flynn on
the phone Immediately. And call a
taxi for me.
Molly was tearing at the fasten-
jngs on her hyacinth gown. Before
the butler had Red on the line, she
had changed into street clothes. She
the telephone from Natsus
hands. -,
Red. Bob'S taken Rita away With
him! Half an hour ago. No, / don,
know where he's gone. No No. I tell
voul I don't know anything about 1t
I'VE lust missed her. l thought she
was with Marie. Oh. what shall ]
DO? Yes. Yes. am calm.
-