The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-10-30

called THE FLY to whom her brother
he gives Mary coat he found in the
yVpiteT house the night Of the MURDER
1 r. IS her brother s. the Jupiter butler
gs tecrasher" he elected the night OF
NOW Go ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER FOURTEEN (Continued)
MR.. JUPITER merely nodded
wi wisely.
You'll see," he said. mo, I won't
say any more. It's his affair and
yours. You might be right, but
you can't prove it, and you'll only
do yourself harm by stirring it up
in the papers again
Better not let on to Emily Ruy-
ther you've been seeing that re-
porter again. She's trying her best
to stop the talk, and you're keeping
1t going"
People are talking already. They
don't know anything for sure, and
that's why they're talking" Mary
persisted. "As long as 1 live, the
whispering will go on.
Unless this is followed out to the
bitter END, now, there1l always be
a question mark hanging over my
head. What was that old story
about her brother? Didn't he kill
q woman and rob a house, or some
thing?'
Nobody can prove it, but they'll
believe the worst. Even if it's
hushed up. Especially if it's hushed
up, they'll think it's truel"
Rot. People forget. They won't
dare zap about you if the Ruythers
are back of you. And I aim to
leave you penny or two, remem-
Der. You'll be able to snap your
fingers at EN-, anyhow"
Mary shook her head stubbornly.
'Nobody's going to stand sponsor
for me, least of all the Ruythers.
And as long as you think-what
you do about my brother, I can't
take cent from you. You see that,
don't you?"
Don't be a fool" the old man
burst out. Nobody blames you.
You're not much Hardness, any
way. You're more like your mother.
But your brother and his pa were
two of a kind-full of wild schemes
to get money without working for
it. And they both ended up under
ground, and no wonder. You can't
tell me"
Mary jumped up, red spots burn
ing in both cheeks.
Before Jupiter could stop her
he was instantly sorry for his out
burst-she had rushed from the
room.
VXTHEN Dirk arrived, she had
w bathed away the traces of
tears, and except for a new quiet
ness. a new determination, in her
manner, Dirk saw nothing amisS.
They drew the shades against the
rain, and sat awhile before the fire,
hand in hand, her head on his
shoulder, wordlessly happy.
Mary wished that it might al
ways be like this. She dreaded
speaking, for sooner or later what
lay between them must be discussed.
If only she and Dirk could be mar
ried right away and go away from
everything and everybody for a
while
But in the meantime, what of the
man who killed Eddie? At this very
minute he was alive somewhere, eat
ing, drinking, laughing, making love
she shuddered involuntarily and
Dirk's arm frightened.
st called you, but you wern't in"
he said. Loverlike, his tone was
family accusing. Mary stirred out
of his arms. With his words, the
whole disturbing day came to life
again. Well, better get it over.
II saw Kane" she said.
Anything new?" Dirk reached
for a cigaret.
"New-for me-" Mary said wryly
Gle told me the truth for once"
Dirk's look was startled.
What did he say?"
"Why, just that the investiga-
ton is being dropped. Every one
seems to think Eddie is guilty"
"I wouldn't say that exactly" Dirk
said evenly, after pause.
"They why?"
TINE worried look had come into
Il his eyes again. Mary could
have taken him into her arms and
smoothed it away, but she held her.
self aloof for his next words.
Don't you think yourself" he
asked, evading her eyes, that it
would be pleasanter to keep your
name out of the headlines, just
now.
1t was true, then. Was he speak
ing for his mother, or himself?
I'm sorry if it annoys you," she
said stif1y.
Don't be huffy," Dirk pleaded,
drawing her back into the circle of
his arm again. You know what
ever you do is all right with me,
always. But other people have no.
tions. Take mother, now"
st see," said Mary.
"She'S old school, you know, and
any unpleasantnesS rejecting on
the family name goes right to her
pride. It's all fooliShnesS, Of course"
Then why do you cater to her?"
Because she's my mother, I
guess" This should have been
clinching argument. Mary realized,
but somehow it wasn't.
IT have a duty, too, to the Hank
ness. name. such as it is" Mary re-
minded him. I'm afraid I must
see it through"
Dirk kissed her fingers tenderly.
his lips lingering on her ringed
third finger.
Surely it's not necessary now"
he teased gently. "a month more
and you'll be Mrs. Dirk Ruyther
Had you forgotten?"
Mary hadn't. For several mo-