The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-06-20
CHAPTER FORTY- S.


RERYL started with surprise.
O spilling few drops Of the
chocolate on her party dress. The
accident did not distress her. Beryl
felt she would be glad when all
the things the Velvetan Girl had
bought we're gone. They reminded
obscure Beryl too painfully of past
glories.
Her nervousness was a different
matter She was distressed over If.
for it was growing 50 noticeable
that people were beginning to com
ment Beryl felt she could not
stand the prying eyes that followed
her.
Tommy hadn't seemed to notice.
He was too startled at the peremp-
tory summons.
Beryl went to answer the door
bell and her hand shook v.sibly
when she took the telegram that
was delivered to her by a young
man who said he'd wait to see if
there might be an answer.
Beryl asked him to come in out
Of the bitter wind that was bowling
across the porch. The telegram was
for her mother.
It would be from Irene, of course,
and in all probability it was a COM
monplace message, but who could
receive a wire in the middle of
stormy night and not have pre-
monitions of evil?
Beryl told herself she was silly
to feel this way about it. Never
theless she was reluctant to take
the message to her mother who
was calling down the stairs to know
what the matter was.
It's a telegram Beryl said and
handed the envelope over unopened.
Her mother, leaning down the
stairs, took it eagerly.
Beryl went up the few remaining
steps and waited. Her mother had
good eyes and it was not necessary
1or her to put on glasses before she
could read the message.
She was not filled with foreboding.
as was Beryl, but neither was she on
the verge Of nervous prostration.
Besides she had reason to sup
pose the telegram might be the full
fillment of her greatest wish-word
Of Irene's reconciliation with Cay
lord
She read it hastily Suddenly
Mrs. Everett shrieked.
Every one came running. even to
the messenger boy. Beryl caught
her mother in her arms as she col
lapsed, but she could not have sup
ported her for long had not Mr..
Everett come to her aid.
Tommy halted near the head of
the stairs, just behind the messen-
ger boy, and stood waiting until
Mr.. Everett and Beryl had got the
woman into her room.
Gee, do you suppose somebody's
dead?" the messenger boy whis-
pered. Il knew it was bad news
was told to wait for an answer
but, gee, I hate deliverin' them
death notices."
IT
TOMMY did not answer. Pres
4 emily Beryl reappeared to pick
up the telegram. Her mothers out
cries had not made clear what news
it contained. Beryl read the mes
sage aloud to Tommy, and then she
wanted to laugh.
The impulse Mortified her. How
could she laugh when her sister was
hurt?
"Beryl, dont!" Tommy said sharp
ly. He could not stand the sounds
of her crying-crying that was
prompted by desire to laugh. To
Tommy who never had witnessed
real hysteria-only Irene's raging
imitation Of it-this was horrible
thing
They sometimes give 'em a good
slap" the messenger boy advised
him, but Tommy was deaf to such
advice
He took Beryl by the arms and
shook her-not because he thought
it was the best thing to do but be-
cause he wanted to make her listen
to him. His action was instructive,
the force it is natural to exert in
a moment of desperation.
1t quieted Beryl After a min
ute or two she said, gasping, I'm
sorry. Get me a glass of water"
Tommy got the water. Beryl
drank it in sips, as though her
throat we're choked.
You nearly scared me to death 3"
Tommy told her What made you
do that?"
Beryl bit her tongue to keep from
laughing again.
FINALLY, the messenger boy re-
4 minded them that he was wait
ing for an answer, and Beryl, with
Tommy's help. composed one which
they addressed to Irene at the hos