The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-03-12
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
NOW GO on WITH THE STORY

WE have been talking about
w our Christmas plans, DR.. Bob
And We al love your hospital Now,
there must be a Big tree way TO the
ceiling. loaded with sparkling orna-
ments' and tinsel and silver stars
and angels.
And John must be Santa! Think
Of John Dey in white whiskers and
a red hood I shall ask him tonight.
We can have the party here early
50 ne can get back to his own fire
side at a reasonable hour. And
there VIII be toys; a red fire engine
for that blessed Casey and a doll
for Betsy"
She accepted the cup Of tea
from lingo. ana knocked the ashes
from her cigaret against the
saucer.
We Will decorate the tree the
afternoon before Christmas, DR..
Bob. The whole 10 of US. And
there must be wreaths for the win
dOws and one for over the fire
place: right below her picture John
will ike that" and she winked slyly
al Eugene Wells. And there Will
be suits and shoes and stockings for
the boys. and dresses and shoes for
the girls
You Overwhelm us. Ann, said
Dr. Laird CALAMITY. Then he smiled
gently at lingo as She passed him
MS cup of tea Thank YOU, lasSie.
You see, these young ladies are 60
ing to take Christmas right out Of
our hands. aren't they?
Just yeste: n y, Miss JeSsica and
were planning an old-fashioned
Christmas with colOred popcorn
strings and apples and cookies with
pink frOsting and an old fashioned
tree"
"COlOred popcorn strings and
cookies with pink frosting!" ex-
claimed Ann with appraised hands,
and the girls joined in her laugh
ter.
How perfectly funnyl You dc
have the funniest ideas. DR.. Bob
For instance-that exhibit you told
us about last summer. Do tell the
girls about that person you have
under your supervision; the person
who associated with gangSters ano
all that and whom you believe you
Will reform within a year through
faith and interest and environment
Only six months more. DR.. Bob
That was last July when you told
about your experiment"
DR. Laird held up his hand.
We agreed not to talk about
that person. Ann" he said softly
You remember? And now. young
ladies. we are pleased you want to
give us a Christmas. We need all
The things you are going to give us
badly. don't We. laSsie?"
We must run along or we'll be
late for Harrietts tea dance. Come
darling"
They slipped once more into
their smart fur coats. snapped half
smoked cigarets into the fireplace
and trailed out, DR.. Laird accom-
panying them to their cars.
LINGO mechanically cleared III
- tea table. and as she did so slit
evaded the straighteyed gaze of TIL
+ girl in the gold frame. Dr. LairC
stopped at the door of the kitchen
F as he pc SSed down the nall
"LaSSiC-"
For a second her lower lip wa
caught between her teeth. Sh
turned TO face him, her eyes mar
rowcd.
I know what YOU are going Il
. say! Please let me alone. She wa
laughing at me-she said only Si1
months mOre-She called me an
exhibit"
Please. lsSsie, listen to me"
"Iscan't talk-nOw. I wish I had
never come"
DR.. Bob's shoulders were stopped
as he turned away. His fine face
looked pinched and gray as he lis
tened 10 her outburSt. Jingo's eyes
followed For a brief instant she
was about 10 call out.
Then the dish in her hand clat-
tered TO the floor as she saw him
stumble. near his Office door. clutch
ing for the wall. Half TO his knees
ne pushed mis- body upright and
leaned against the door. his hand
over his eyes. On winged feet. the
girl reached his side, her hand on
his arm.
DIR. Bob-you are i'll! Please, DR.,
Bob. speak to mel"
He turned his head toward her
and tried TO smile. She slipped her
hand through his arm and he pat
ted it as it lay against his sleeve
I'm all right now. lassie. This
old heart OF mine is wearing out and
I have these spells. Often lately
But am all right-and I'm sorry
for what she said. Very-Sorry."
lingo stood beside him as he sank
into his chair and closed his eyes
She placed a glass of water near
waited for moment. but when he
did not stir. she tiptoed from the
room.
She threw herself on her bed and
buried her face in her arms. The
world had been a beautiful place
this morning. She had been sing
ing as she went downstairs.
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