The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-10-02
CHAPTER THIRTY

OAAEI In AAAAAN
TOHN McNEILL, arriving in
j Worthwhile Thursday morning,
took a taxi to his nome. He let
himself in with a latch key. de-
posted his bags in the hall and
hallOed to Susie. When she came,
on the run. from the back OF the
house he talked to her for few
minutes. giving her the detailed
family news which She craved.
Presently he looked at his watch
and said, Before go to the fac
tory I'm going over TO the Hunter
place"
You bettahi" Susie agreed. Miss
Elaine done come ovah here yestid-
dy 70 git news of you. She tell me
to nave Mr.. John come to see her,
minute he gifts home"
she did. eh?" exclaimed John,
pleased. so she cared enough to
do thatl The world was just about
right today.
Susie said, "Lemme fix you some
breakfast first!"
NO" he shook his head. Il had
breakfast on the diner to save
time" He went out of the house,
whlstling, and crossed the lawn.
When he knocked at the front
door, Bertha admitted him She
started violently at sight of him,
remembering something which she
had temporarily banished to the dim
recesses Of her mind
John asked, rs is too early for me
10 see Elaine, Bertha?"
The old woman stared at him
queerly. He thought she had not
heard and repeated the question.
Bertha Gibbs still silent, turned
to look in the direction of the upper
hall. He followed her gaze. A girl
was coming down the stairs, but it
was not the girl for whom he waited.
This one was a glamOrOuS stranger.
She wore smoke-gray satin Longing
pajamas held at the waist with a
heavy red sash. The sash SWayed
about her knees in rhythm with her
languid walk. Her hair was gold
brown. Her eyes were dark. She
was very, very beautiful and she was
smiling at him.
John MCNeill!" said the girl, i'll
a voice that was somehow tender III
spite of its clipped tones. DO you
remember me-
John said, Elaine Chalmers" 1t
was more of a statement than a
greeting. He continued to stare at
her. trying to think in his clear, de-
liberate way what her coming had
meant to that other one Almost at
once he suspected the thing that had
happened.
Where is she?" he asked.
ELAINE felt a stab of irritation.
II He had said the word she" as
he would have said my darling"
And he had said it urgently. Penny
was not going to speak, that was
certain. She must answer him her
self
DO you mean the girl who was
using my name?" she asked, looking
regretful and letting her smile fade
to sad little ghost of a smile.
Yes" replied John MCNEIL
sharply.
She went away yesterday morn
ing soon after 1 came" Elaine said.
1t seemed best. She flew into quite
a rage before she left"
"A rage?" John repeated blankly.
Yes, said Elaine, signing. There
was no use trying to reason with
her Girls of that type-girls who
live by their wits, you knoW-are
primitive and sly and not at all
reasonable. They evade you"
John replied, coldly courteous,
She was not primitive and not sly.
You must be thinking of some one
else. One of your acquaintance at
Graycastle possibly"
Elaine bluShed. She was furious.
but she must keep the fact con-
cealed. When she'd whipped this
small town hero into line there'd
be time enough, ways enough, to
punish him then. Her expression
remained persistently sweet and re-
gretful.
L could have turned her over to
the police, of course" she reminded
him. But l didn't. l even offered
her money. She refused it without
even thanking me. Don't you think
you're being a little unfair to blame