The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-11-20

Oubb~AAohS Woo
getting too frequent-last night at
Mefcy's and now here with Edna.
He ought to have stopped and had
| it out with him. For 2 cents he
would go back and tell him where
to get off. No what's the use? Sher-
idan and Edna could both go plumb
to hell!
He would go see Mercy-that
would be more fun anyway. He
frightened at the thought, but ar
irving at her apartments, he found
the fiat locked and silent; Mercy
was not at home.
Andy now had accumulated a
tremendous crouch, fed to bellig-
erency by repeated drafts from his
flask. He wanted to smash some
thing. He took some of it out on
the speed laws and other traffic
regulations.
He burned up the pavementS, ca
reened around corners and dashed
through intersections with utter dis
regard of traffic signals. Presently
he found himself on the long
stretch of keystone avenue. He
stepped harder on the gas and
driving for a few minutes, sweryed
into the WILDER driveway, almost
upSetting the car in making the
sharp turn.
WILDER was playing his usual Sum-
day afternoon round of golf and
Shelia, except for the servants, was
alone in the big house. From a liv-
ing room window she observed
Andy's reckless approach and met
him at the door.
Without a word he pushed past
her and dropped heavily into a
chair. His face was flushed and
his hair, usually plastered close to
his head, was rumpled and awry.
Sheila regarded him gravely, Andy
heretofore, even when drinking,
never had been so rude.
Andy, what's the natter?" she
asked after moment.
Nothing" he answered gruffly.
Eyes, there is; you've been drink
ing. Andy, why don't you stop it?
Don't you see it is running you?" She
dropped hand gently on his Shout
der. Andy twisted in his chair and
shrugged it off. He was in no mood
to take a lecture.
Edna would not like this" Sheila
continued, but was interrupted by
an exclamation Of disgust.
HUH" Andy sneered. Little she
cares: she's cuddling up now to
that Sheridan sneak. Edna! to hell
with Ednav"
ANDY! Andy. what possesses
your"
What's it to your" he demanded
roughly.
What's it to me? Why, Andy.
it's everything to me. You and 1
have been like brother and sister for
years. Have you forgotten when
YOU lived here in this house and how
close we were? NV father treated
Won like his own son, and
YES. he did" Andy put heavy
emphasis on the first word.
ayes. he did and YOU know down
! in your heart that he did, even II
he was Justly harsh at times. But
never mind that. Andy, dear. won't
you stop drinking for my sake.
can't bear to see you slipping away
from me. Outside of papa. you are
the only person in the world closely
! tied to me by blood; you are my
only cousin"
! You're no cousin of rine!" he
snapped
Sheila looked at him with startled,
wounded eyes, then a flush Of anger
overspread her face.
You, you! Oh, what's the use!"
she exclaimed. turning her back to
! him and looking out of the window.
Then. suddenly she whirled back.
/ IT know what il is; know what
is the troubled" she exclaimed. her
eyes flashing. IT'S that fast crowd
you're going with. It's that I'M
speakable girl. that Mercy, Mercy
whatever her-name-is, that girl
who almost trapped you into marry
ing her-she's at the bottom of It'll"
/ Her voice was laden with Scorn.
"A girl WHO thinks it's funny
when a man gets intoxicated and
makes a fool of himself! A cheap,
little fortune-hunter, so loose in her
morals that she would ply weak
willed boy with drink so that she
might compromise him and force
him to marry heri Andy, who do
you"
Shut up" Andy shouted. his face
dark with passion. Don't you talk
that way about Mercy. She's every
bit as good as you are.
who are you anyway. with your
7 ! I'D mighty airs, your SNUG
responsibility, to be running down
other women? Why, you even