The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-07
Murder Al BRIDGE
AS sT9 7sN6vs szss 81 szs e%eoER eAeFsTAs

as he could find out. I asked her if
she was going to get a divorce and
she said she was not-that being
already married was a protection
against getting married in haste
again.
AFTER that, I rather lost sight Of
Nita, and practically forgot her, our
paths being so very divergent"
"And you never saw her again?"
Dundee asked, very much disap-
pointed.
"Oh, yes, two or three times-at
openings, or on the street, but we
never held any significant CONVEX
sation," Serena Hart answered,
reaching Tor her hat. ooh, yes! I
was about to forgetI
Il had quite a shock in connec-
ton with Nita. One afternoon
let's see, that was when I opened
in Hullabaloo,' in which I made
my first real success, you know
bought the New York Evening Star,
which devotes considerable space to
theatrical doings, to see what sort
of review the show had got, and en-
the first page I saw a picture of
Nita, beneath a headline which
said, famous Model Commits Sui
eide"
What" Dundee exclaimed, as
founded.
"Oh, it wasn't Nita Leigh" Sc
rena Hart treasured him. There
was a correction the next day. You
see, an artists model named Anita
Lee had committed suicide, and, as
the Star explained it the next day,
the similarity Of both the first name
and the last had caused the error in
the photograph.
There was a picture of Mia
Leigh, with Nita's statement that
the report of my death has been
exaggerated and a picture Of the
real Anita Lee"
when did the mistake occur?"
Dundee asked, in great excite
mnet.
Let me think" Serena Hart
frowned. 'Hullabaloo' opened in
yes, about the first of May, 1922.
Just little more than eight
years ago"
Dundee reached for his own hat,
in fever to be gone, but to his
surprise the actress stopped him, a
faint color in her pale cheeks.
"Since you're from Hamilton, and
are investigating the muredr, you
have undoubtedly met little Pene-
lope Crain?"
II KNOW her very we'll. It hap
4 pens that she is private secre-
tary to the district attorney, under
whom work. =. Why?"
''I saw her as lead in the Easter
play at Forsyte four or five years
ago." Miss Hart explained, her face
turned from the detective as she
busted it with powder, land I was
impressed with her talent.
I'm fact, 1 advised her father,
who had come from Hamilton to
witness the performance, as proud
parents are likely to do, to let her
60 on the stage"
$50 you met Roger Crain?" Dun
dee paused to ask.
"Oh, yes charming man,
with even more personality than
his daughter" the actress answered
careleSsly, so carelessly that Dun
dee had a sudden bunch.
Have you seen Mr.. Grain re-
Gently? He deserted his family and
fled Hamilton, in rather unssvory
circumstances"
What do you mean?" Miss Hart
asked sharply.
"Oh, there was nothing actually
criminal, I suppose, but he is be-
lieved to have withheld some Sc
curities which would have helped
satisfy his creditors, when bank
ruptcy was imminent" Dundee ex-
planned. Have you seen him since
then - January, that was, I be-
lieve?"
january" Miss Hart appeared
to need time for reflection. "Oh,
yes! He sent in his card on the
first night OF my show that opened
in January. 1t was a fiop-lasted
only five weeks.
1--WE chatted of the Forsyte girls
who are now in Hamilton, most OF
whom went to school with or have
met at the Easter plays"
do you know where Mr.. Grain
is now?" Dundee asked. IT have a
message for him from Penny, which
1 should like to reach him.
why should I see him again?"
Miss Hart shrugged. "And I haven't
the least idea where he is living or
what he is doing now. OF
course, if he should come to see
me backstage after Temptation
opens What is the message from
Penny?"
THAT her mother wants him to
come home Dundee answered.
And I am sure Penny wants him
back, too The mother is one
of the sweetest, gentlest, most
tragic women 1 have ever met -