The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-18
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= - 0Io4 81 MA SERVICE lNe
I'll take you to see another happy
one" Muriel announced.
Lead on"
THE maid who answered their
Il ring at the stone-fronted house
in the East Seventies, said Mrs.
Cleespaugh was in. She would take
the card up.
Muriel surveyed the drawing room
with interest. "She does herself
nicely, doesn't she?" drawled the
friend.
q Its very good indeed" said MI
riel, noting the mellow patina on the
Queen Anne chair, the subtle melt
ing together of the colors of wall
and fabric.
Mrs. Cleespaugh wishes to know
if you would mind coming up" the
servant inquired sedately a mo-
ment later. "She has been lying
down. This is her first day up"
They followed up the narrow
staircase and into an apartment
of pastel tints and fragile French
furniture, a room which seemed the
perfect setting for the girl on the
low couch.
How nice OF you to come" she
smiled to Muriel. I'm still having
to be lazy. Doctors orders"
They kissed after the fashion Of
women who have not met for long
time. The languid caller accom-
panying Mrs. Desmond sat down to
blow cigaret rings casually as they
talked of matters which only faint
~ interested her.
MAY I see the baby?" Muriel
begged. Llama touched a bell rope
at her side and a starched Scotch
nurse carried in a mite smelling of
warm flannel and talcum powder.
isn't she precious?" MurieI de-
manded. The languid lady of the
smoke rings agreed.
Curious things, babies" she Of
fered. Never could understand
them"
Lame laughed. "They don't need
TO be understood Only need to be
fed and washed at this infants age.
at any rate"
TINE nurse looked daggers at the
Il cigaret, held in such dangerous
juxtapoSition to her charge.
II don't think the air in here is
good for her, madame" the nurse
said stifiy. Lame laughed. "Take
her out, Mana. We won't contami-
nate her if we can help it,"
"She whispered. shes a terror,
but a wonderful nurse. I don't
know whether I shall keep her or
not when I'm stronger"
Muriel looked utterly scandalized.
"You wouldn't take charge of the
baby yourSelf?"
Il might even do that. Why not?
I think baby tending ought to be
made fashionable"
How does Give like her?"
"He adores her. You'd think no
one had ever had child before"
The languid one arose, crushing
out her cigaret in a tray. "Muriel.
I hate to break up the party, but
honestly I must rush. Dining early
tonight" They left in feminine
furry Of promises and half made
engagements.
What can women see in that ma
ternal stuff" unused the languid
one. eft bores me-"
Muriel hailed taxi. Dunno"
she said, thoughtfully. There may
be something in it. You never can
tell"
CHE might have thought there
~ was a little later, if she had
seen young Mr.. Cleespaugh unlock
his street door, take those narrow
steps two at time, and rush head
long into the room where his wife
lay.
No languor could have been proof
against the embrace he gave her
nor the look of tribute he paid her
fragile loneliness.
He said in a troubled voice.
"Howells told me when I called that
you had a headache. 7 rushed
straight home"
ut was nothing. I stayed up too
long this morning. I'll go slow the
rest of the week"
Darling, promise me you willp
She took his head between her
two slim hands. "Fussbudgetl" she
said.
There was an interval and then
she told him. ''Muriel Desmond
was here today. She liked our
child"
jealousy he demanded, "Why
wouldn't she? Luisas perfect.
Like her mother"
Lame laid her cheek against her
husbands. Darling, sometimes Tn
frightened, it's all so perfect. Do
you suppose you'll always feel this
way? should die if you ever
stopped caring"
Stoutly he CRIED But I never
shall. I shall love you forever and
ever"
She laughed, exultant, but there
were tears in her eyes.