The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-09-06
NEA SERVICE INC.


derer came back from the border
land. He blinked at Brent and be-
gan to whimper like a child. I'm
starving" he said several times.
Come along" Brent urged, sup
porting him with a shoulder.
There's a place to eat just across
the street. Pull yourself together
and don't let go again. Do you
hear?" he added raising his voice
as the figure against him began to
relax. Hang on to yourself" he
went on sharply. There's food
IFOOD-and hot coffee!"
1t was slow progress they made
getting across the street but Brent
managed it. At the last he was
practically carrying his burden but
once at the door of the coffee house
he was able to get assistance.
Drunk" he said laconically to
the waiter who came to help him.
"An old begger LIN used to seeing on
the street. Rather hate the thought
of having an officer run him in.
Get him over to that table back
there in the corner where he'll be
out of the way, and bring some
strong coffee Immediately"
The waiter was impressed with
Brent's appearance and manner. He
fastened to obey. "Il just stop
bit until the rain ceases" Brent ex-
planned casually, taking seat at
the table with the man he had
brought in. Bring me a pot of
coffee, without cream"
TINE waiter grinned. Obviously
Il his guests was unused to coffee
houses of thi sorder. A pot of cof-
fee indeed! A thick, white mug at
the best.
mo individual pots, sir" he apollo
gized, using an address that was I'M
familiar in the place. But this man,
in his better days had seen better
places.
Never mind" Brent instructed
him. Attend to this poor wretch
at once. You have some hot soup,
I suppose?"
Yes, sir"
Then fetch it after the coffee"
The strong black beverage, held
to the blue lips by Brent himself,
revived his companion to a condi-
ton in which he was able TO par
take of the thick hot soup.
Brent sat opposite and watched
silently while he dipped the large
cheap spoon up and down, up and
down, with the speed demanded by
wolfish hunger.
The busy waiter had gone about
his duties. Brent had indicated that
he did not want attention directed
to his table and the man had &C
cepted his wishes without comment.
He was used to turning his back
on queer affairs. And this affair
was queer, unless the toff in the
evenin's clothes really didn't know a
drunken guy from a bum just one
Jump ahead of the undertaken"
Well. it was none of his business.
Like enough he'd get good fat tip
out of it. Soft-hearted gink, prob
ably. bit of fool
While he went on about his bust
ness Brent waited until the soup
was finished and then began to ply
the old man with questions. But
first he lighted a cigaret for him,
astutely surmising that it was the
first, other than butts, that he'd
smoked in years.
But even so, in spite of the coffee,
the soup and the tobacco, it was not
easy to get the story. Not that the
old fellow was at all reluctant to re-
veal it, but it came hard for him
to put his statements in sequence.
A name here, a date there, Brent
had to keep continually on the alert;
aware that the mans mind was al
fected. But the burden of the tale
the vein the teller couldn't get away
| from-was his satisfaction, his
gloating enjoyment. of the empty
revenge the Itch old father was liv-
ing. But for this Brent might
have learned nothing.
"XXTHOsE father? Evangeline's2"
wv Brent pressed. Cunningham.
What Cunningham"
Why alone in his big house
. old Cyril Cyril K. -. all
these years and he doesn't know. 1t
serves him right. 1t serves him right
Thinks he's going to leave his
money away from my wife . cheat
ME the poor fool thinks /
married Evangeline for her Inherit
ance inheritance she'll never
get-money Wouldn't touch -. !.
| All these years alone. alone in that
empty old house Sc. hoping - .