The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-06-29
BY MABEL MELLIOTT-
(copYrlght 1885. NEA Service. Incl

Frank has been so charmed with
her. She's lovely, We all think.
Michael scOwled at the thought
Of young Mr.. Frank, whoever ne
might be. and Miss Daisy looked
frightened. This handsome young
man could be quite fierce. Perhaps
she shouldn't have said that, but II
was true and she meant no harm.
And Miss Vincent had told her eX-
plicitly that Miss StryKhurSt was
not engaged to any one.
Michael had to wait and make
polite conversation until fat Mrs.
Houghton, in dotted linen with a
big. fashioned straw hat on her
head, arrived.
Can't tell you a thing about it,
my dear boy Mrs. Houghton
wheezed, looking benignly at him
why not wait here until they re-
turn? Well make you comfortable"
Michael said that she was kind;
he appreciated it a great deal but
his business was urgent.
We'll then, after lunch Ill run
you ever to the Millard's place, "
said his hostess, fixing her dark
eyes on him shreWdly. They've
a Chinese boy there who's made the
trip and perhaps he can tell you
something about the roads. That
is, if you can get anything out OF
a Chinese boy"
I've known a lot Of EN-" MI
chael said.
oh, reaIly?"
NEICHAEL, pressed, told her
1V1 about the ranch and what he
remembered of his father.
"Heatheroe?" unused Mrs. Hough-
ton. There was a Francis Heathe-
roe at San Diego about 1905.
Charmin' fella. Knew him well.
Good family"
THAT was my father" Michael
told her.
mot really?" Mrs. Houghton
beamed. How very interestin'!"
The man fairly ached to be on
his way, but there was no hurrying
this capable woman with the as
sured air and the tWinkling eyes.
Besides, he was more or less at
her mercy. If she chose to drive
him to the Willard ranch to inter-
rogate their Chinese boy, he might
feel himself very lucky. But he
must not be discourteous enough to
urge her to foregO luncheon.
SO they lunched in the long, cool
room open on two sides. Michael
scarcely knew what he ate. While
Miss Daisy and Miss RoXana
pecked daintily at their salad Mrs.
Houghton took two helpings of
everything, drank great cups Of
tea, and leaned back in her chair
for a cigaret. Michael could have
cheerfully killed her.
No one went out in the heat of
midday here if he could possibly
help it; he knew that. But the in
trepid Mrs Houghton put on the
monstrous old straw hat again and,
while Miss Daisy and Miss ROXana
went delIcately away to enjoy sizes
tas, she and Michael Heatheroe
climbed into the roadster and took
the that led to the Willard
place.
This is really very kind of you,
Michael said with some cOmpunc-
ton.
Not at all" wheezed Mrs.
Houghton. Was young m'self
once"
The Chinese boy had been asleep
and came drowsily to the door at
their summons.
Yes, he knew the way. But he
could not leave the place. He was
in charge.
I'VE know that. Lii" said Mrs.
Houghton patiently. THE gentle
man only wants you to tell him how
to 60"
NTICHAEL had a map in his
I'VE pocket and the boy, with many
mods and profound head-shaking,
finally agreed on a route.
You did that very we'll" said
the woman admiringly to Michael
as they left. Il can never get a
sensible word out of him. Not that
I'm at all certain the road is right.
They'll admit anything just to be
agreeable. I do think you're pc
ing rather foolish. They'll be back
cay after tomorrow in any case.
Michael shook his head stub
bornly. Wait here for Katharine?
He couldn't live through another
Gay, not knowing how he stood