The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-12-29

lunching there at another table
with his friend, Attorney Sampson,
stopped at their table and suggested
a bridge game at his home for last
night.
Hugo said he wanted to coax
Karen into playing again, so she
would get over her hysterical aver
sion to the game since she had to
replay that awful death hand. e..
You see" Penny explained par
enthetically. Hugo is a regular
bridge fiend, and naturally he
doesn't want to be kept out OF his
game"
''Brute!" Dundee cried disgusted-
~. why couldn't he give the poor
girl a few days more?"
That's what I thought" Penny
acknowledged. But didn't get any
inhibition against bridge, and the
idea rather appealed to me per-
sonally The last few days haven't
been particularly cheerful ones, so
told Ralph I'd be glad to go.
Tracey had suggested his house,
instead Of Hugo's, because Betty
wasn't well yesterday and Flora
wouldn't want to leave her for a
whole evening. Well, Ralph and
+"
Are you going to marry Ralph
Hammond, Penny2" Dundee inter
rupted, as if prompted by casual in
terest.
Penny's pale face flushed wildly
mo, I'm not in love with him, and
I'm sure he realizes I'm not and
won't ask me again. But I had to
say yes Sunday
Il simply couldn't let you walk in
on us, after I'd permitted you to
eavesdrop while he was talking,
without first saying the one thing
that would convince him that l be-
lieved in his innocence and hadn't
set a trap for him."
II see!" Dundee acknowledged So
berly, but his blue eyes shone with
sudden joy "Ohl There's long
distance! Just a minute, darling!
Hellol Hellol Yes, this
is Dundee. Oh! All right
Try again in fifteen minutes, will
your"
He hung up the receiver and ex-
planned to Penny: "Sanderson hasn't
reached the hospital yet, but is ex-
pected soon. Go on with your
story. Who all played bridge
at the Mileses? You don't mean to
say Dexter Sprague was invited,
toow
DENNY'S face was still a brilliant
l. pink as she answered: It re-
fuse to have my climax spoiled!
When Ralph and I got there
at 8, we found that Peter and
Lois had dined with Tracey and
Flora and that they were delighted
at the prospect of bridge as a relief
from endless discussions of the
murder.
We'd hardly got there before the
Marshalls came, poor little Karen
not suspecting that she was going
to have to play. Then came Johnny
Drake alone, with the news that
Carolyn was in bed and very mis-
cradle with a summer cold.
Polly walked over from her home,
which is on the next hill to the
right, you know. She said Give
had decided to work late at the Of
flee, and had promised to call for
her about II, to take her home"
What about Janet Raymond?
Was she left out?" Dundee asked.
II told you it wasn't a planned
affair."" Penny reminded him. But
Flora did telephone her, and she
said she didn't feel like coming.
She's been moping about like sick
cat ever since Nita'S death.
ave all knew she was idiotically
in love with Dexter Sprague, and
it must have been an awful blow
to her to hear you read aloud that
note Nita received from Sprague."
80 I noticed" Dundee nodded,
recalling the deathly pallor of the
girls face as Sprague had glibly
away Olldb udlluullS 1lObC
and all of its implications.
well" Penny continued, Tracey
suggested bridge, and at first Karen
fatty refused to play, but Hugo
finally persuaded her
Karen would do absolutely any
thing for that ridiculous old huS-
band Of hers! I simply can't under
stand it-how she can be in love
with him, I mean"
81 thought you liked Judge Mar
SHALL" Dundee laughed.
ooh, I do-in way But
fancy a young girl like Karen be-
ing in love with him Well,
we all went out to the side
porch, which is kept in readiness all
summer for bridge.
Iron bridge tables, covered with
oilcloth, and with oilcloth pouches
for the cards and score pads, so
there's never any bother about
scurrying things in on account Of
rain.
TITS a rooted, stone-foored porch,