The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-06-28
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completely frank, completely limo
cent. She was complimenting her
self upon having said that rather
well. She had spoken Bessie's name
with affection.
Elinor said hotly, Il think Aunt
Bessie manages wonderfully" No
one answered. She remembered
Barrett then and the color left her
cheeks as she stared down at her
twisting hands.
Not one of them is worthy of my
trust!" thought Miss Ella.
Barrett had risen but Miss Ella
waved him back to his chair. Just
moment, Barrett" she said inflex-
IDLY. Il have question to put TO
you before you leave and, if you like,
you may smoke"
III make one cigaret the measure
of my stay" he said, as infiexibly as
she had.
CHE would ask him whether or
~ not he thought her taxes ex-
cessive, Miss Ella decided, as he
drew forth his cigaret case. That
would seem a convincing question.
Then-horror gathering in her eyes
She saw him holding the open
cigaret case toward Ida.
Il don't smoke, Mr.. Colvin," Ida
said softly He remembered that
she had smoked while Elinor tele-
phoned the news of her mothers
arrival home.
Her heart grew hot with anger
They were deceiving her But she
would not be duped as Barrett's
father had been.
He turned then, still holding the
open case, to Elinor. Flushing, she
took cigaret. She felt that she
had to, that she must say, as she
did, II know you don't like womens'
smoking, Aunt Ella, but I like less
women's lying!"
Miss Ella doomed in a voice
strong but quavering II am
shocked! L am deeply shocked! To
think that you, Ida, permit thisl"
Barrett stiffened, then looked,
amazed, at Miss Ella.
Falteringly, Ida muttered ex-
cuses. She had little influence over
Elinor," she said. She had done
everything to dissuade her from the
unpleasant habit. Because-for one
thing, she said remembering Bar
retD, Elinor was too young to
smoke.
Miss Elias eyes rested upon Lida's
right index finger, the inside of
which was touched with yellow
stain. Lida's blond skin made a
blotter and the nicotine proved Lii
da's latest deception.
THE old woman smiled the
Il smile that the family feared.
She turned with the same express
sion to Barrett, and the smile
changed to one of tremulous, af-
fectionate gratitude. Her old eyes
filled with tears. He had served
her we'll and he would be rewarded.
No one should say that she had
been duped by clumsy tricks or
fooled by lies. Lies!
She rang the bell that was by
her side on low table. Craven"
she said smoothly when he ap-
peared, tell Miss Smythe to ask
Mr.. Grotner to come to see me this
afternoon at 5, promptly at 5. That
will be all, Craven!" she ended and
sat back.
Miss Ella was going to change her
will
Barrett, who had started it all,
stood up. He bowed above Miss
Elias hand, murmuring something
about having to be on his way. He
gave one glance to Elinor at leav-
ing, sick with longing and trying to
despise her.
Il am very glad that Mr.. Bar
rett Colvin was here when you
came" with Miss Ella with empha-
sis.
Ida moistened her lips which
were threatening to crack on her
forced smile. When she had Elinor
alone! The little fool What
had she done by that insane ges-
ture?
And Barrett Colvin knew what
he had done, she reasoned. He
must know Miss Elias feeling about
women who smoked. Probably he
had planned the affair deliberately.
I'VE must be going, dear Aunt
Ella" Ida murmured. She could
not keep it up much longer-this
restraint.
Miss Ella merely nodded and
turned a cool, cool cheek for Ida s
kiss.
Ito Be Continued