The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-01-17

A1<NCJ ~ 49, -
"devilish enticin' little trick"
The girl was quite captivated by
his airs ana his ardor. She began
to make excuses and avoid engage
mentS with Count Bodanzky.
Tony'S Aunt Helena d%iSapproved
of this and very shortly Tony and
her Aunt Helena disapproved of
each other. They did it in such
loud tones and for such a long while
that tn girl cabled her father, sent
off her trunks and caught the first
boat for New York.
Mickey Mortimer was on the same
boat.
1t was Mortimer's custom, when
his companion was a very pretty
girl and after about the fifth cock
tail, to state that he was "divorcing
his wife,"
1t "a a good beginning for the
long story of how fate was abusing
him. Sometimes. this story would
become so pathetic that only music
would drown his sadness.
That meant that Mickey would
start singing, and when Mickey sang
there simply was no likelihood at
all of guessing where that party
would end.
The truth was he was not and
could not divorce his wife. Neither
was Mrs. Mortimer divorcing her
husband.
Mickey didn't mind. He had
found that a good-looking young
man of wealth never need face any
dearth of feminine companions.
He and Tony visited a blaSe the
atrical revue that evening, dined at
a supper club, which was not one
of Florence Mortimer'S favoriteS,
danced at two others and shortly
after 4 a. m. arrived at the Knight
residence. Tony entered the house
with her own latchkey and Morti-
mer drove away.
At IL o'clock next morning Judith
sent Harriet to see if Miss Tony
would like to have her breakfast.
The maid reported Miss Tony was
still asleep.
At IL Tony came downstairs
languidly. She wore a lounging suit
again, this one of poppy colored
stiff silk, very boyish looking. She
ignored Judith, but told Mrs.
Wheeler she would like breakfast
sent to her room.
Thus for three days the routine of
the Knight household remained.
Judith and Arthur breakfasted in
the dining room at 8 O'Clock. Judith
conferred with Mrs. Wheeler and
Cora devoted herself to h~ouSewifely
tasks during the morning.
Tony arose at noon and called for
a breakfast tray to be sent to her
room. Each afternoon she left the
house, returning about 5 o'clock. At
Z Arthur and Judith and Tony dined
together. and by 9 o'clock Tony had
sought companions of her own.
1t IA a state of armed neutrality.
Judith, hoping each day for some
slight weakening toward friendli-
ness. had to content herself with an
occasional civil remark during din
ner.
Tony's reasoning seemed to be
that if she could not rid the house
OF her Stepmother she at least could
pretend that Judith Y not there.
1T wasn't a cheering atmosphere in
which to prepare for Christmas.
And yet the holiday season was
about TO begin. 1t was a time that
Arthur knight had been looking
forward all year to-the time when
both his children would be home.
Judith felt that she was the one
who should find some means of slip
ping out of the scene.
She bought huge holly wreathS
with gay red ribbons. candles. poin-
settia plants and green's to make the
house festive.
She ordered a tree which was as
high and handsome as Arthur had
specified. She busted herself on
shopping trips and %conspired with
Cora on what they both hoped would
be mastery menus.
Determinedly cheerful. Judith re-
ported to Arthur each night that af-
fairs were going ~Splendidly."
Then on Saturday morning Ar
thur Junior arrived.
Judith had been out on an GRAND.
She saw a cab stop in front of the
house and a slim youth step cut.
The boy just had reached the en-
trance of the house and was about
to open the door when he saw her
turning in at the walk.
He stopped and waited until she
reached the steps. Then he looked
at her seriously and said: