The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-14
CHAPTER SIXTEEN


serene.
When Ruth opened her eyes in
response to a bird song in the hedge
outside. her room was full Of sun
light. The world seemed so en-
tirely normal that she laughed at
her fears of tie night before. She
had been foolish. she felt, to let the
moods Of a simple old woman
brighten her.
She thought, stretching her arms
above her head and blinking in the
sunshine, ANY sort of telegram
would upset Penny, naturally, be-
cause she's not used to getting
them. Maybe it said her brother
had broken his hip. That's some
thing she could be expecting and
dreading. Or maybe her sis
ter's being put out of her house
because she can't pay her rent. In
that case Penny can borrow money
from Miss Gwen to help her out
Anyway, I shant worry. I offered
to talk it over with her and she
almost bit my head off. III mind
my own business"
She got out of bed, took a lei
surely bath, dressed and went
downstairs.
'Mornin, Miss Elaine" re-
spOnded a matter-of fact Penny.
III have your breakfast on the
table in a jiffy. Just sit down"
Well" exclaimed Ruth with
pleasure, here's the morning paper!
I'd forgotten all about newspapers
in the last week"
I bought one" explained Bertha
Gibbs, Ito see about the weather. A
body never knows what to expect in
the fall of the year"
No" replied Ruth, lone does not. "
The paper was il complete dis
order, as if Penny in her perusal of
the weather forecasts had become
lost.
Ruth assembled the scattered
sheets and as she slipped her coffee
and munched her toast she read it
avidly. 1t seemed good to have news
Of the outside world again, to know
what was happening in Washington
and Europe, to see who of impor-
lance had married and divorced and
had babies and died, even to see
what new enticementS the stores
were advertising in the way of
pOcketbOokS and vanities and fall
shoes and fur coats.
Presently Ruth uttered another,
Well" having, to her surprise,
found a continued story which she
had begun to read in Brooklyn and
thought never to encounter again.
She quickly read the synopsis and
was soon following the fate of the
very hkable heroine with as much
enthusiasm as if she'd stumbled on
an old friend.
CHE said to Bertha, reflling her
- coffee cup. It's a small world,
isn't it, Penny? And the neWSpa-
pers bind us all together. They're
the greatest power of all-greater
than airShips and armies and ma
vleS. NOthing'S hid from the news
papers, and the newspapers hide
nothing"
The old woman stared at her
without blinking. The newspapers
think they're pretty smart, I guess.
But there's some that can outwit
EN-"
The remark had no meaning for
Ruth, so she dismissed it. She said,
You're feeling better this morning,
aren't you, Penny?"
Yes" replied Penny. GAS fit as
a fiddle"
As a matter of fact the old woman
did look stronger. She was less bent
and shufling. She moved more
purposefully. She said, Now that
you've finished your breakfast, Miss
Elaine. I've message for you from
Mr.. John MCNEIL. He wants you to
drive to Cleveland with him today,
bein' as he has to go there on bust
ness. He'll start about IL o'clock.
He says he won't take No for an
answer. He says even if you are
for you buryin' yourself"
Ruth laughed. He won't have
to take no for an answer, Penny.
I'll snatch at the chance-unless
you need me here at home?"
Il don't need you," replied Ber-
tina with promptneSS. You go, Miss
Elaine, and stay as long as you like.
It'll do you good. There's a sight
of things to see in the city"
Ruth laughed again for sheer JOY
and ran upstairs to her room. She
had ample time to clean her room,
set her hair and dress. She thought
of a quip she had once heard IN a
clever talkie.
An actress had drawled, ANY
woman'S in Heaven when she's go
ing somewhere and has something
to wear" Ruth told herself. That's
me today-with additions. I'm going
somewhere with some one I care
about. and I've got something to
wear!"
John MCNEIL called for her at
y II. Good girl" he said. ION
time! You don't keep the busy
business man waiting. You look
sweet. by the way, in that two
shades Of green get-up. Another
new one?"
Not new" Ruth answered. 'ex-
cept to you. It's even got little
darned places in it. It's knitted"
I know" he said. starting the
car. My mother does EN-. She
knitS EN- for herself and my mar
ried sister in Washington, Flor
ence."
"Oh. yes" said Ruth. shes
older than you" She made the
guess recklessly. since she knew
she ought TO recall his family.
Yes" John replied. Picture me
with a 10-year-old nephew and
twin nieces. aged 81"
Ruth pictured him and found it
a pleasure. If he had said, Pic