The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-07-03
Q 1929 IF NEA SERVICE INC

from the capital BY a shift in the
supreme court calendar, that Brad
ley case comes up Friday, If I can
be ready with my witnesses by then.
I don't like TO ask for another ad-
journment, because I'd like 70 get
the Bradley case of my hands be-
fore the Blackhull trial reopens in
January. But with the kid sick and
all
His hesitation and the dark flush
which accompanied it told Nan
that the and ALL referred TO Iris
and all the complications which her
unexpected return had brought into
her husbands life.
Curtis isn't dangerously ill.," Nan
reminded him coldly. Il think it's
really quite lucky that you can dis
pose Of the Bradley case before you
have to go back into the Blackhull
trial. You know you can trust me
TO take good case Of Curtis"
"Of course, dear" he interrupted
quickly, as if she had reminded him
that it was not she, but Iris, who
had made the child i'll by stufing
him with chocolates and candied
fruits. Il suppose there's nothing
for it but to go. III have to put in
a hectic two days getting hold Of
my witnesses. e.. wonder if you'd
mind very much if I put in two or
three hours at the Office today? I'll
have TO go over the transcript Of the
first trial pretty thoroughly"
"Of course you will" Nan agreed,
still in that unnaturally cold voice.
She wanted to act as if nothing
stood between them. to give her
usual warm, eager assistance, but
Iris was between them now; there
was no possible blinking Of that
fact. Until Morgan himself ban
ished her. -. But Nan forced her
self to add, as cheerfully as possible:
I'll be glad to help, if you want to
bring the records home"
She felt that Morgan's eyes, still
fixed upon the telegram, were de-
liberately avoiding hers. His flush
deepened. II don't think that will
be necessary, Nan. You'll have your
hands full with the boy. 80. What
time are we to have dinner?'
at was planned for two, so that
Curtis might safely eat as much as
he pleased, but now that he's i'll,
can set the hour ahead to six, if
you like
Her jealous eyes told her that he
was relieved. Fine! That will
give me several hours Of good, hard
work. Of course, if Curtis gets
worse. or calls for me, I'll cut the
work short and hurry home
I shan't telephone unless you're
really needed" Nan promised. If
he wanted the assurance that he
would have time to slip in a Christ
was day visit with Iris, let him
have it. She had always done
everything in her power to make
him happy, Why stop now?
n
XKTHEN her husband was gone,
w Nan wandered into the draw
ing room where the neglected
Christmas tree still offered all its
treasures. Morgan, obviously. had
forgotten the tree. The seals we're
unbroken on the packages which
contained hers and Curtis gifts
for him.
Her steps, made very slow by the
WEAKNESS of despair, Nan walked
about the tree, untying the gold and
silver cord which bound the tissue
wrapped parcels tagged with her
stepson's name. They made quite
2 formidable little pile. exclusive Of
the big toy automobile and the we'll
stocked tool chest. For Curtis from
Estelle": For Curtis from Little
Pat" ;t"For Curtis from Maude and
Big Pat. For Curtis from his
Father" High up on the tree, just
below the big silver Star Of Bethle-
hem, Nan found a parcel she had
not seen before. This time her in
tuition did not play her false. The
card. which bore a highly colored
picture of the Madonna and Child,
vas inscribed: For my little lover,
from his adoring Mother"
John slipped down here last
night after I was asleep and put it
there" Nan told herself with the
curious detachment of despair.
Without being conscious of any
curiosity as to what the small box
contained. Nan added it to the pile
Of gifts she would carry upstairs
to the sick child Then she walked
Slowly about the tree again, her