The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-09-16
! 1AURA lou BROOKMAN
( AUTAOQ or rash ROMANCE

( the woman to rise and get ready
to go home,
"Celia!" Mrs. Rogers whispered
softly. That was all she said until
after they got into the cab and Ce-
liza had given the driver the address.
Then the mother leaned back
against her daughters arm and
gave a long sigh.
$50 tired" she murmured. Glad
you're here, darling"
The driver of the taxicab helped
Celia take her mother up the two
flights of stairs leading to the fat.
He volunteered, as the girl
scarcely could have managed alone.
The. driver was thick set, red
faced man who by no, chance. ever
would have been taken for q good
Samaritan, but he. tipped his. hat
mumbled something and hurried off
down the stairs as soon as he had
received his fare.
Lying on the bed before the. open
window, Margaret Rogers looked up
into her daughters face and man
aged a wan smile.
"I'm-all right now-dears See
about your dinner-I'm all right"
She refused to be waited upon.
Celia pushed the windows as high
as possible, brought ice wrapped in
towels for her mothers head, but
nothing the girl could do could keep
the room from feeling like bake
oven.
After Mrs. Rogers closed her eyes
and seemed to doze Celia went into
the living room. She sank into
chair, tanning herself. with a folded
newspaper. She was hot, tired, and
still frightened. The early after
noon seemed years away.
DRESENTLY she arose, found
L cold food and nibbled it, She
had no appetite and soon cleared
away the dishes.
At 8 o'clock she heard footsteps
on the stairs and knew they were
Barney Shields. Celia hurried into
the hall to meet him.
Barney's bright smile, flashed at
stairs. Immediately he saw some
thing was wrong.
"Oh, Barney" the girl said in a
low voice. I'm glad you've. come"
The youth was beside her, his
face as grave as hers now.
whats happened?" he asked.
whats the matter?"
Celia told him. They stood in the
hallway, talking in whispers so as
not to disturb the woman in the
bedroom.
Celia,S words came in a food, in
terrupted once or twice when tears
got the better of her. Emotion,
held in check for hours, suddenly
gave way.
Barney tried to comfort her.
But honey, don't cry! Every
thing'll be all right tomorrow. I'm
sure 1t will. Gosh, on a hot day
like this any ones likely to go to
pieceSi"
ooh, bllt--I don't know
He slipped an arm around the
girl and; patted her shoulder.
your laotherll feel better in the
morning" he said reassuringly. "I'm
sure of it,
1t was good to confide in Barney.
He seemed so protective, 1t was
wonderful, too, to see the same
tender, worshipful look in his eyes
they had held last night.
Celia, remembering; brushed a
hand across her misty lashes and
smiled back at him.
That's the girli"' said Barney
well, suppose you don't want me
around here any longer%
She would like to have him stay,
Celia admitted, but probably it was
best for him to, go.
For a moment Barney Shields
held her close, touching her lips
with a quick kiss. Then he let her
go.
Night, DEAR" he said, and dis
appeared down the steps.
Celia Rogers had gone into Mar
got's dress shop that eventual day
with exciting news. 1t was after
noon of the following day before she
confided this news to her mother.
True to Barney'S predictions, Mrs.
Rogers awoke the next morning to
pronounce herself rested and en-
tirely recovered from the collapse.
A pale face belied these words and
Celia insisted on keeping her mother
IN bed, bringing her food that was
tempting and nourishing and gen.
orally indulging her.
But how" Margaret Rogers
asked shortly after lunch. did you
happen to drop in at the shop yes
terday?"
CELIA remembered the doctor
~ said there should be no shocks
and no excitement. She was eau
tiouS.
We'll. I wanted TO see. you"
Wanted to see me about what?"
Il wanted to tel You scmethinz
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