The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-06-09
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had made it impossible to ask help
Of him.
Tommy had stayed one night, re-
fusing to accept Beryls offer. The
next night he slept at the garage.
In fact, he slept at the garage until
he received his first pay. Then he
took a cubby-hole in nearby room
ing house.
Like many a person, who seems
negative at times, Tommy could see
thing he believed in through to
satisfactory conclusion. And he
was determined now to be his own
man.
DERYL loved him deeply. She
ID wondered at times if Tommy
realized this. She'd tried to place
all that had passed upon a basis
Of friendship.
Tommy wasn't conceited. She had
that TO count on. He'd always ac-
cepted her in matter of fact way.
Of course another boy but
she'd always been in Tonmy's life.
"Just like that wart on his
thumb" she thought whinsically.
1t was true. Tommy had not
questioned her motive for salvaging
him. 1t seemed the natural thing
for Beryl to do.
Neither had he delved into or
sought to analyze her need Of him.
It seemed the natural thing for her
to come to him when she was in
trouble. He did not think about
Beryl.
1t was Irene who occupied
Tommys thoughts. She was sweet
fragrance in his memory. He did
not blame her for discarding him.
Beryl, hopelessly in love with
him, lied about Irene. When he
asked for news Of her sister and
there was no news, she invented
some. Oh, yes, they'd had let
ter from Irene on Tuesday (but it
might have been two Tuesdays
past).
She could trust her mother not to
give her away in this practice, for
Mrs. Everett said little of Irene's
communications to them. Mr..
Everett was less reticent, but
Tommy rarely encountered him, for
Mr.. Everett was working late at
The store these days.
His helper had been let out for
lack Of funds and work that Mr..
Everett had done in the day time
ne was doing now at night.
Beryl and her mother made the
salads and cakes to increase the
family income, but most of Beryl's
time was spent in the store. Short
ly after she resumed her duties as
cashier, she realized with sinking
heart that the business was headed
toward disaster.
All her own funds were ex-
hausted, spent in large sums to the
New York specialist.
When she spoke to her father
about this state of affairs, he ac-
knowledged YEARLY that he knew
it as we'll as she did.
Give begged your mother to write
to Irene to help us out" he con-
fessed, "but she says we amt no
business bothering Irene"
"She knows Irene" Beryl COM
mented dryly. IF that girls gener-
Gus, then Shylock was a Santa
Claus. Look at the things she's sent
mother, a pair of silk gloves and
rubber eXerciSer!"
A few days later Mr.. Everett ap-
peared at the store with a brighter
face than Beryl had seen him wear
ing for some time. Your mothers
written to Irene" he explained.
That's great" she said, and
turned hastily away.
A S the days passed and nothing
IA was heard from Irene the
brightness vanished from Mr.. Ev-
erett'S face. Beryl knew that he
had quarreled with her mother. but
when she was present Mrs. Everett
would say nothing.
There was look of stubbornness
on her mothers face that Beryl
heard Mr.. Everett describe as
mulish.
Perhaps her mother didn't realize
how things were. Il guess" Beryl
said to her one day, you don't
know how serious it is with Dad.
He's pretty badly in debt. He's got
to have life line or he'll sink"
The lines of Stubbornness deep
ened around her mothers COM
pressed lips.
"You might have thought OF
that" she answered, when you
wouldn't take care Of yourself. Irene
is married and gone. 1t seems tc
me the ones to help are those at
home"
Beryl bit her lip to keep back a