The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-12-17


Ralph2" she whispered anxiously.
He could only answer mo"
Mothers all of a twitter at my
having a detective to dinner" she
whispered, trying to be gay again
"She fancies you'll be wearing size
IL shoes and a 'six-shooter' at your
belt Yes, mother! It's Mr.. Dun
deei"
She did not look "all of twit-
ter" this pretty but rather faded
middle aged little mother of
Penny's. A gentle dignity and pa
tent sadness, which Dundee was
sure were habitual of her, lay in
the faded blue eyes ana upon the
soft, sweet mouth.
But Mrs. Grain was ushering him
into the living room, and its charm
made him forget for the moment
that the Grains we're to be pitied,
because of their "come-down" in
life.
For every piece Of furniture
seemed to be authentic early Amer
lean, and the hooked rugs and fine,
brocaded damasks allied themselves
with the fine old furniture to de-
feat the ugliness with which the
Maple Court apartments architect
had ben f1erceiy determined to
punish its tenants.
"'Scuse mel Gotta dish upp
Penny flung over her shoulder as
she ran away and left him alone
with her mother.
DUNDEE liked Mrs. Grain for
- making no excuses about q
maid they couldn't afford, liked The
way she settled into lovely, an
cient rocking chair and set herself
to entertain him while her daugh-
ter made ready the dinner.
Not a word was said about the
horrible tragedy which had occurred
the day before in the houes which
had once been her home.
They talked of Penny's work, and
the little gentlewoman listened
eagerly, with only the faintest of
signs, as Dundee humorously de-
scribed Penny's fierce efficiency and
District Attorney Sanderson'S keen
delight in her work.
Bill Sanderson is a nice boy" the
woman of perhaps 48 said Of HAM
ilton'S 35-year-Old district attorney.
at is nice for Penny to work with
an old friend Of the family, or was
until"
And that was the nearest she
came to mentioning the murder be-
fore Penny summoned them to the
little dining room.
Because Penny was watchin him
and was obviously proud of her skill
as a cook-skill recently acquired,
he was sure-Dundee ate as heartily
as his carefully concealed depres-
sion would permit.
There was a beautifully Drowned
roast of beef, pan-browned pota-
toes, new peas, eScalloped tomatoes,
and for dessert, a gelatine pudding
which Penny proudly announced
was Spanish cream" the secret of
which she had mastered only that
morning.
81 was up almost at dawn to
make it, so that it would set in
time" she told him. Dundee knew
that it was not Spanish cream
which had got her up.
I'm going to help wash Dishes"
he announced firmly, and Penny,
with a quick intake of breath,
agreed.
Hadn't you better take nap,
mother?" she added a minute later,
as Mrs. Grain, with a slight flush
on her faded cheeks, began to stack
the dessert dishes.
"You mustn't lay hand on these
dishes, or Bonnie and I will have
our dishwashing picnic spoiled
Run along now. You need sleep,
dear"
Not any more than you do, poor
babyl" Mrs. Grain quavered, and
then hurried out of the room.
II called you Bonnie so Mother
would know We are really friends"
Penny explained, her chicks red, as
she preceded him through the
swinging door into the miniature
kitchen.
you'll stick to that - being
friends, I mean, no matter what
happens, won't you, Penny?" Dundee
said in a low voice, setting the
fragile crystal dishes he carried
upon the porcelain drainboard of
the sink.
Il knew you had something bad
to tell me. It's about-Ralph,
I supose?" Her husky voice was
scarcely audible above the rush of
hot water into the dishpan. you'd
better tell me straight off, Bonnie.
I'm not a very patient person.
Are they going to arrest Ralph
when they find him? There wasn't
word in the paper about him this