The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-02-12

4 TIC ClISbOIll VI III ESO1IlS III A4llllCl
had been dropped in the Knight
household ever since meals had be-
come brief, unimportant intervals
with only one or two members APP
pearing at the table.
Tonight Judith wore ArthurS
pearls about her throat. She had
rouged her cheeks and powdered as
carefully as if she had been going
to the theater.
The warm color of her 1rock re-
fected upon her face and in the
subdued figure stood out as graceful
as a flame.
She came in laughing.
Good evening, Mr.. Knight.
hope you like your new nurse?"
Very much indeed Looking
beautiful, my dear"
Il wanted you to think So"
He smiled at her.
Very beautiful" Knight repeated.
And married to an old man who
keeps you shut away from all the
good times in the world. Oh, you
needn't contradict me. I know it's
true"
JUDITH had thrown herself into
y the chair beside the bed.
Arthur why will you insist on
saying these absurd things?"
Second childhood"
"Oh-but I don't want you to
Joke about it! Please, won't you
understand that 1 don't want to go
anywhere without you? Just little
while and you'll be yourself again.
Then we'll go everywhere and make
up for what we've missed. Besides
i don't think I'm missing any
thing"
He shook his head.
You're married to an old man,
Judith. Put back on the Shelf"
She was unable to shake him
from this half-melancholy. half
bantering mood all through the eve
ming.
It distressed Judith TO see long
days spent in the sick room have
such an effect upon her husband.
Nothing she could say seemed able
quite to make him forget that ne
was an invalid, weak and demand
ing services from others.
Something was bothering Arthur
Knight and Judith could not help
feeling that this something con-
cerned herself.
She did not take his moods seri-
ouslv. That was to be reserved for
next day.
The awakening came at lunch
con. Judith and Tony were having
the midday meal together when
the younger girl spoke up unex-
pectedly:
Going into town this afternoon
she asked.
'Why-no!"
Oh. Sorry. I thought possibly
you'd take my watch in and leave it
to have the clasp repaired. l can't
make the thing work and I'm afraid
to wear it. Id go in myself only ]
have to read to father
Involuntarily Judith Strengthened
What are you going to read?'
she asked.
Don't know. Some book he's got
around that he says he's interested
in. Horrible, suppose. think its
something about Henry VIII or one
of those old bozoS-"
Judith looked at her stepdaugh-
ter through narrowed laSheS. The
girl seemed completely innocent and
unaware of the effect of her words
And Judith had only the evening be-
fore begun reading to her husband q
recent biography of that famed
monarch.
Was this idea something new OF
Tony'S. or had it come from Arthur
Knight? The way to find out was
quite simple.
Since meals had become such un-
pretentious affairs. the luncheon
soon was over. Judith Immediately
went upstairs. She invented an er-
rand which sent the nurse from
Knights room. Then she said:
Tony tells me she's going to read
TO you this afternoon"
Yes"
No explanation or qualifying
phrases. Just the bare affirmative
Judith heSitated-
But I thought you wanted me
to read?" she went on. blushing with
embarrassment.
A furrow appeared in Arthur
Knights forehead. He glanced
away before answering.
"Oh. you can find some othel
way to amuse yourself. You see,
asked Tony to stay with me while
Miss Mallory was out. and reading