The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-02-21
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE (Contin-

uedO
Tony raised on tip-toe, kissed her
father. said goodnight and dis
appeared
Alone, Arthur Knight drew the
letter from his pocket and read it
over once more for the hundredth
time. That first sentence held his
attention.
Something has happened which
Is taking me away for short time"
What had taken her away? And
what did she mean by a short
time? Was it a day, three days,
a week? Already. to Knights rea-
sonius, Judith had been gone a long
while.
1t was about four hours since he
had known Of her disappearance,
but she must have left the house
much earlier. Hours earlier, proba-
bly,. When-and why?
That was the big doubt, of course,
back Of all the others. Why?
It came over Arthur Knight then
with startling emphasis how little
he really knew of his young wife.
In those first glorious days of court
ship and honeymoon nothing had
mattered. There had been only the
realization that this beautiful and
charming creature was willing to
be his.
Then had come the difficulties of
readjustment in his home and in
the office, the children'S hostility
and prejudiceS to overcome, unex-
pected burdens in business.
Once, he recalled now, Judith had
tried to tell him something-some-
thing about her life before they had
met. He could not recall even one
word of it now He had told her
the past was to be forgotten, did not
even exist. He had said
Grimly Arthur Knight closed his
eyes to shut out sights which would
not be dismissed so easily. He
brushed his hair back, Sprang to his
feet and began to pace back and
forth.
"Judlth-Judlth!
It was cry from the depths of
the mans heart. The harsh, de-
spairing whisper died as it was half
uttered.
Yes. He had lost her. Some
thing had happened" It meant. of
s course, that she would not come
. back. She was trying to make the
thing easier for him. "A short time"
she said. "A short time! Oh, God!
He realized that he been staring
at the table against the wall for
long while. There was a lamp on
it, and several books. The lamp
was one which Judith had bought.
Nearly everything in the room was
new. She had purchased all this
when the house had been redeco-
rated. He could hear her voice and
her excited laughter the day she
had brought him upstairs to see the
new room.
Then there had been other days
YEARLY Knight dragged himself to
his feet. He must stop this, of
course. He was very tired. What
good would thinking about 1t all
do?
Slowly he walked across the room,
turned the knob of the door leading
to Judith'S room and opened it. He
turned an electric switch and looked
about him. After thai he went back
10 his own room, undreSsed and got
into bed.
u ATHRYN UPPER and Tony
IA Knight were together in the
sun room. It was the afternoon Of
he first day after Judith'S depar-
ture.
The secretary had arrived at the
house on time for her afternoons
luties. but already she was over
'ue. Apparently she had forgotten
hat knight was waiting at his
leSk.
Tony was speaking.
But she's not coming back!' she
aid with determination. That's
vhere you've got to help me. Don't
-ou See?"
Miss Tupper's eyes lighted with
shrewd. unpleasant smile. She
-odded her head.
Y think there may be way" she
said slowly. "YeS-I have some
ching in mind. I'll try
Ten minutes later she sat with
notebook and pencil poised. In the
midst Of a letter Arthur Knights
voice droned into silence.
Miss Upper" he said abruptly,
.wfn you call Andy Craig and ask
n to drop In to see me this eve
g7-