The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-11-22

roadster had been roaring through
small southern tOwns-al sstonish-
ing.y alike with their fine old homes
moving through the trees-for the
last two hours. At this rate ne
would reach Atlanta by nightfall.
A short distance down the road
nc had picked Up a nail-and here
he was. standing. hat in hand. ct
the door OF one Of those splendid
old homes.
He knocked and heard the sound
of stirring within. The door was
flung wide An old Negro woman
doomed before him. almost as
though she were a ghost from the
giamOuous past. She reached for
his hat. The young man smiled,
but kept the hat. Never mind,
Auntie. III only be here for a min
Ute"
He had heard that hospitality in
small southern towns was close to
the old regime type But did they
always receive strangers % cor
dially2 He was inside now.
A girl was coming toward him. A
slender girl with bronze hair She
wore an afternoon frOck Of brown
and he noled that her eyes were
brown with golden glints in them.
Her straight little nose was in
c.ined 10 tilt upward.
I'm afraid I'm here under false
cOlOrs." the young man was laying
in a voice Ann found very pleasing.
You are expecting guestS?"
The girl hesitated. After a mo-
ment she answered slowly, Yes"
NV car has a fiat. A tire blew
out almost at your gate-luckily for
me. Nav I use your telephone to
call a garage2"
of course. It's in the hal Call
Parker's garage. They'll come
promptly-that is, more promptly
than anybody else"
He called the number and gave
directions criSply The pretty girl
led the way back into the living
room. IF YOU care 10 III he glad
for YOU to ~ait here while the tire
is being changed"
I'D ike to but I'm afraid I'm
intruding. Your guests2"
Its an informal affair. Quite"
Her voice was very low.
They were sitting opposite each
other. Ann had decided that the
young man who had so suddenly
crossed her threshold was rather
unusual Handsome. And his
manners were attractive. She went
into the dining room, opened the
door and spoke to the servant.
Tea. Molly"
AIMS absence the
IL young man made a discovery.
First his eyes had rested against an
old candelabra on the mantel A
neat card against it read, Pair.
SOS" Looking around. he noticed
white cards affixed to other articles.
Within reach of his hand, on a low
table, was a small blue vase. The
card read SIS.
The tea party was progressing
when the doorbell rang.
Ann said. Excuse me a moment,
please. Some Of my guests have
arrived"
I think I heard that service car,
too"
Please finish your tea and cake"
For the next five minutes, Ann
was busy: cornered by old Mrs
Sykes. having to listen to My dear, |
I couldn't believe my eyes when I
read that announcement. 1 said
think of a HOLSTER coming to
this"
This way please, Mrs. Sykes"
Ann said firmly. Just look at
everything"
And then Mrs. Ellen Pendletons
gentle voice, Ann, you dear girl.
Ann went back into the drawing
room. The chair on the right side
of the low table was occupied now
by one of the Wright sisters. The
young man was gone.
Ann looked about in amazement
No. he was not in sight It was
silly to feel this twinge of disap-
pOintment. What difference did it
make? But at least he might lave
said CoOdby.
There was his cup on the table
and beside tin place of the blue
vase which was mlsSing-was a
small. white envelope.
Ann crossed to the table and
picked up the envelope. Inside was
fifty-dollar bill and a slip of
paper on which was written in
bold masculine hand: MY mother
likes blue. I'm taking this vase,
which I am sure is ridiculouSly UNI
derpriced. Tell the cook the tea
and cakes we're great. Thank. 1t
was the best party ever attended.
p. X"
ITO BE Continued