The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-04-17
CHAPTER FORTY-S SIX


DEITY CARLYLE set of for
- Reno three days after the re-
turn Of her pearl necklace. She
wore a smart brown suit and tiny,
audacious hat as she boarded the
train. Her lips were a bright scar
let and her laShes carefully mas
caraed.
There were half a dozen pieces Of
luggage to be carried on and slowed
in the compartment Betty kissed
her mother and ioked in an ex-
tremely modern fashion, but her
laughter was brittle and slightly
high-pitched.
On the day before her departure
she had amazed Janet by apologize
ing for suspecting her of taking
the necklace.
Janet was rather sorry for Betty.
She was carrying on, trying to take
the matter of her divorce in a
fippant, sophisticated manner, but
her pride had been wounded deeply.
For the first time, Betty Carlyle had
known humiliation and it was
bitter blow.
A real estate company began
showing Betty's apartment to pros
pective renters at sacrifice price"
AS easily as, within few hours,
life had become a hideous turmoil,
it dffted again into quiet routine
in Mrs. Curtis home. Still, there
was a difference.
Mrs. Curtis showed 1t most She
tried to be philosophical and treat
the situation with unconcern. There
were only two persons to whom she
talked about what had happened
Rachael Thornton, who had been
her conhdante for years, and Janet.
Its a dreadful thing to have
happen" Mrs. Curtis told Janet,
land yet in a way I'm glad. Betty
was too young to marry. And, Of
course. she couldn't know what that
man was. I never liked him! 1
couldn't tell Betty that, but I've
known all along he'd make her I'M
happy"
THAT man" was Rolf. 1t was
the only way in which Mrs Curtis
ever referred to him from that day
on.
To Mrs. Thornton she said, cts
not as though people look at
divorces nowadays the way they
did when you and were girls. But
to think this could happen to
Betty"
CHE refused to accept invitations
Oand much of the time kept to her
room. Janet found her there one
afternoon sitting before a chest OF
drawers. The lower drawer had
been pulled out, revealing stacks OF
old photographs, pile of garments
and childrens toys. In her lap was
something white.
Mrs. Curtis held 1t up.
Its the dress betty wore for her
christening" she said. And here is
her first little pair of shoes. Aren't
they tiny? Here's q photograph OF
her wearing this same dress"
The photograph showed an in
a pair of solemn eyes. The hand
some baby dress was decked with
ruffles and lace, and one tiny hand
had caught at the full skirt.
What a pretty baby" Janet ex-
claimed.
Mrs. Curtis nodded. "She was"
she said. Il suppose it's foolish of
me to save all these things but
sometimes I like to look at them
There's another picture here I like
better
She leaned forward, sorting
through the pile. 1T was taken
when Betty was years old. Her
hair always curled naturally, you
know. I combed it around my finger
oh. here's the pictured"
For half an hour longer she re-
vealed her treasures-pictures of
Betty as school girl. dressed for
her first party. snapshots at the
beach and riding a Shetland pony.
She showed Janet the woolly
dog that had been Bettys favorite
companion in her baby days and
battered doll. There was a picture
of Mrs. Curtis herself with a tail
young man standing beside her
the picture made on the day she
married Betty's father.
Later, when Mrs. Curtis came
downstairs Janet noticed that her
eyes were red-lined. They had
been lined frequently during the
past week. The following morning
she was i'll and DR.. Roberts was
called to the house.
Its just as I've told you before,
he said warningly. You can't over
do. Mrs. Curtis, and keep your
health. You mustn't worry and you
must have plenty of rest. The con-
ditions is nothing to become
alarmed over if you'll take care of
yourself. Otherwise these spells
will continue"