The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-04-09

and"
IT see," he said gently. He coulc
imagine with what avidity Abbit
Berkeley had adopted the perfume
habit, knowing that supply would
always be at hand; that neither pro-
hibition nor her watchful husband
could prevent her getting all she
wanted.
so that is why you wasted as
much of Crosby's gift as possible?'
he went on.
"Ye-es," she answered, dropping
her eyes.
She was too transparent for Dun
dee to be deceived. There's some
thing else, Gigi Did Seymour
Crosby know that his gift would be
particularly pleasing to your
mother?"
"Yesl" she cried passionately
Eyes, he did, He wanted her to
to drink herself to death! That's
why I hate him"
"Gigi, my dear!" he checked her.
He drew his chair close to the bed
and took both her icy little hands.
Tell me quietly what you mean,
what basis you have for such a
charge"
A SHAMED red dyed her cheeks,
IA but her eyes met his bravely.
'I-youll think I'm a nasty little
sneak, but I didn't mean to pry-
was in Tish's room about a week
ago, while she was taking a bath to
dress for dinner.
81 was already dressed, and lots
of times I go in to talk to her while
she dresses. Well, just happened
TO pick up a book on her bedside
table and "a letter fell out"
Addressed to Mrs. LAMBERT"
Dundee cut in sternly.
There wasn't any envelope, and
when 1 was picking it up saw a
few words that-that made me per-
fectly furiousl So I read it all. 1t
was from Mr.. Crosby"
What made you furious Gigi?"
Dundee asked softly, scarcely dar-
ing to breathe.
We'll, the letter was all about
the visit he was going TO make to
HillcreSt, and - and about Clo-
rinda. oh, what he said about Clio
was perfectly lovely; that wasn't
what made me sore. The words
that first caught my eye were:
her perfectly impossible mother,
but perhaps she will not long be a
handicap.
What" Dundee calculated.
'Uh, huh!" Gigi shifted, dabbing
at her eyes. so I read the whole
letter, but first I read the rest of
that paragraph. 1t said something
like this: One can but hope that
her vice contracted so enthusiast
cally at so advanced an age, will
not be slow in taking its toll.
." Otherwise, a future which I had
hoped would be a happy and peace
full one will present rather peculiar
mother-in-law problems Do
you blame me for reading it?'
she demanded piteouSly.
mo, Gigi," he answered, squeez-
ing her hands tightly. But to him
self he had to admit, in all fair
ness, that there was some excuse
for Seymour Crosby.
He treid to picture himself sad
died with a mother in-law like Alb
bic Berkeley, and involuntarily his
hands looSened slightly their grip
upon Gigi's. After all. though ii
was a caddiSh thing to do, Crosby
had written the words in Strictest
confidence to an old and trusted
friend.
$50 T simply couldn't bear II
when I saw him giving her per-
funnel" Gigi told him vehemently
II wanted to throw it all into his
face and tell him if he didn't like
Abbie he could go straight TO-
Did you tell Mrs. Lambert you
had seen the letter." Dundee asked.
mo-" she admitted, flushing.
"Tish would have been shocked at
me. And it wasn't her fault And
she didn't feel that way at all!
"She did everything she could to
make Abbie stop. I heard Abbie
simply tearing into her just the
other day for begging her to prom
Use not to drink any more of the
stuff"
GO another mystery was cleared
~ up. 1t was quite clear now what
promise Mrs. Lambert had exacted
from. Abbie Berkeley the night be-
fore, so soon after Seymour Crosby
had presented his shameful gift!
Suddenly monstrous suspicion
crashed through Dundee'S mind, a
suspicion which, if founded upon
fact, would explain a great deal,
probably everything.
"Gigi, tell me the truth: Was that
the only reason you tried to spill
all that perfume last night?"
'What-do you mean?" she
gaSped, her eyes popping.
You were afraid that Seymour
CTOSDy ndQ grown Impatient! lie
answered with slow emphasis. you
suspected there was poison in that
bottle, intended for your mother!"
mo, mol" Gigi cried, shuddering.
II just thought he was helping her
into a drunkard's grave" Suddenly
she laughed shakily. Don't I sound
like a temperance pamphlet? .
You don't really Think"
I'm going to find out!" Dun
dee said grinly, as he rose.
"But-the perfume has all been
Spilledl" she reminded him.
For a very good reason, prob
" 7