The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-10-07

a policeman beside her.
What could I do, Mrs. Travers?
The policeman said 1t was right
and I'd have to let her take the
baby. BY that time 1 was so fius-
tered I couldn't hardly tell my own
name.
They said they were taking
Mark to keep until after there'd
been an investigation or some
think like that. I got out his little
coat and bonnet to keep him warm
and he began to cry as soon as the
woman picked him up.
THE minute they left I telephone
to you! There's something wrong,
know that muchl With you shaving
away and working so hard for that
baby. Why, the very idea"
Norma stopped her. She had BED
weeping, but now she dried her
eyes. do you know where they
went? she demanded. We've got
to find Marki"
There's a big Office down at the
city hail. Mrs. Carey volunteered
Il was down there once. It's the
place where the men work who run
the welfare department. That
might be the place to go.
Il don't know thought don't
know if you'd find the baby there!"
4 LREADY Norma was on her
"A feet. you've got to come with
me, Mrs. Careyw she declared.
We've got to get Mark Come on
there isn't any time to lose!
Well have to hurryl"
With her coat pulled on over her
house dress, a felt hat damned on
at an angle, Mrs. Carey was half
pushed and half-pulled down the
two flights Of stairs.
On the street Norma signaled a
taxicab and told the driver to take
them to the city hall.
During the ride Norma alternate
ly wept and asked questions. She
wanted to know what the woman
had said What did she mean by
saying Mark was neglected? Who
had complained?
/ Mrs. Carey repeated what she had
said before. There was nothing
new. The woman was almost as
distraught as Norma herself. She
was in no condition to comfort the
girl.
How're they going to get the
baby'S formula right?" she nOaned
He ought to be having his bottle
right now. Like as not he's crying
for it, the poor little darlingr
Norma twined icy fingers together
She was starting ahead as though
she had not heard.
The cab stopped and the women
got out. They went up stone steps
and into mable-foored corridor.
Mrs. Casey led the way down a mar
rover passage to a door marked
city Welfare Department"
"This is the place" she whispered
and opened the door.
II 4
TTALF a dozen men and women
Il 4 we're standing before a high
counter Beyond in a large room a
man and two women sat at desks.
There was a young woman at the
counter. A swinging gate led from
the small Enclosure to the larger
room.
Without a moments hesitation
Norma passed through this gate.
One of the women arose.
What is it you want?" she said
sharply.
"Is this the city welfare depart
ment? I've come for my baby"
"What?"
eff you'll go back behind the
counter" the woman said, land wait
your turn, Miss Eberhardt will con-
slider your case. You'll have to
wait on the other side of the coun-
teri" The woman accented her
words harshly.
But you don't understand! !"
Norma exclaimed. I'm not here
to wait. tell you I've come for my
baby"
The man at the far desk had
come forward Everybody in the
room was cycling Norma.
Perhaps I'd better talk to her"
the man said quietly. With nod
toward Norma. he said: will you
come with me?"
Mrs. Carey clutched the girls
arm. They went through another
door, following the man.
1t was a smaller office. The man
dropped into the desk chair and
waved Norma and Mrs. Carey to
seats, Nov then" he said, what
is it you're so excited about?"
n 4
NORMA and Mrs. Carey tried to
IN talk at once. In the end it was
the older woman who got out the