The Indianapolis times., 1930-07-16

But Dean?" EleanorS eyes held
puzzlement. You say Cynthia told
you. Daddy Tom? Does Dean know,
too?"
She looked at Cynthia and once
again Cynthia'S cheeks burned.
NO" said Cynthia weakly.
well. he'll have to know now, a"
said Eleanor.
Here, here!" cried Sanver.
We're not to think about Dean
now. Well get you home"
Eleanor interrupted him with a
gesture. I'm not going back with
you. Daddy Tom. couldn't do that.
I've been dishonest and wicked
enough. but I'm not going to permit
him to be deceived any longer. And
anyway, nothing matters very much
now. When 1 tell you all that I've
gone through"
You're not to talk now" said
Sanver in alarm.
CYNTHIA knew now why his
~ voice sounded hollow. He had
read his daughters countenance
more quickly than she had been
able to read it. Weakness, utter
emotional exhaustion, we're legible
there.
"A little talk won't hurt me-" said
Eleanor. "And even if it did hurt,
I'd have to speak just the same. 1
must tell you. Daddy Tom, and you
too. Cynthia"
Go on, Eleanor" he said.
How much have you told him?
Everything?" asked Eleanor. Then
you know all about my meeting
Cynthia, my hearing from Phil, my
finding that he had tried to kill
himself, and my persuading Gym
thia to take my place.
II suppose" and her eyes met
Cynthia's, that you hated and de-
Spised me when 1 didn't ring you
up after that last time. But the
doctor who was attending Phil
frightened me. He guessed, some
how, that 1 had money. He told
me. and believed him, that Phil
could be put in jail for attempting
suicide.
He said that the clerks in the
Burlingame, where Phil had been
living, would tell the police, so We
took Phil away. We put him in a
sort of hospital that this doctor
owned. I couldn't leave him.
couldn't even telephone you.
Phil wanted me with him every
second. He swore he'd tear the
bandages from him if left him.
And with every passing minute it
vas more certain that he couldn't
live. 1 felt that if left him I'd be
his murderer.
"Oh, I thought of you, Cynthia.
But I knew that if there were no
other thing for you to do you'd tell
Dean who you werc. And then Phil
died"
The very fact that she made the
last statement so quietly, so unemo-
tionally, hut added to its tragic
quality.
Sanver broke the silence that en-
sued.
When did he die?" he asked.
The next day: the day after my
marriage said Eleanor.
But that was weeks ago, her
father exclaimed.
IT KNOW it." said Eleanor simply
Il She had conquered all hysteria
now, and lay back quietly on the
bed. But I couldn't leave him
then, when he was all alone. friend
less. And I was afraid that if 1
came to you. Daddy. for help, you'd
not let me go back to Phil. And if
he had needed me when he was liv-
ing. surely he needed me now when
he was dead. Why, Daddy, he
didn't even have any money.
They'd have buried him in potter's
field. thrown him into grave as
carelsSSly as though he were some
wornout animal.
But knew that you'd think he
was no good. that he didn't deserve
any better. But he had died for me.
Some people may not think it's
brave 10 ole like that. to die be-
cause you aren't brave enough to
live and suffer. But I feel differ
emily.
And, anyway. even if I thought
him cowardly. I'd only love him
more. Because it was my coward
ice that made him a coward. If I'd
been brave enough to go to him
four years ago. in spite of the fact
that I didn't think he wanted me.
how happy we'd both have been.
And wouldn't have made you un-
happy, Daddy. nor Dean" She
looked at Cynthia. Nor you," she
added.
But it's all over now. Don't
think I'm reproaching you. Daddy.
I don't think people ever should be
blamed for anything they do. We
do the best we can and if it isn't