The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-06
"VXTHAT a conceited young idiot
w I must have been in thcs-

Hal a concerted young AulOl
w I must have been in these
days." Ruth remarked, enjoying
herself thoroughly. Can you recall
anything at all nice about me?'
Yes" nodded John Mcneil. You
were always as game as the devil.
They say you were never known to
take a dare. You could outride and
outswim any kid in town"
The advantages Of wealth." Ruth
pointed out. Swimming and horse
back riding come easy to children
who've been provided with beaches
and horses and bride paths"
She realized that she was speak
ing a little bitterly. Back in her own
dreary childhood thered been lit
tie girl in her town who owned a
spotted pony, and who'd refused to
let the shabby little Woodson girl
ride it.
She found herself disliking Elaine
Chalmers as the symbol Of all those
selfish, pampered children who
have more of this worlds plums
than they need. Then she recalled
that tonight she was Elaine herself
and must remain in character. But
you we're just old enough to be
scornful," she bantered. You treat
ed me like dirt"
Il kissed you once, he remarked,
as if it had become suddenly i'm
portant. Il suppose I did it just
to tease you. Have you forgotten?"
Ruth said, "A girl never forgets
her first kiss" Again she felt a
thrust of dislike for the girl she
was supposed to be. Let's go help
Penny" she suggested.
Penny gave them aprons and let
them do as they liked. Ruth set
the table while John and Penny
argued about the steak. The silver
and china which the old woman
had given her to use were cheap
and ordinary.
Il guess they've taken away all
the fine old Chalmers things" she
thought. Then she paused in her
tracks to figure something out.
This was not a Chalmers house,
for that name belonged to Elaines
father, and it was her mother who
had lived here.
Her mother was the daughter of
the old railroad king who had
owned, and perhaps built, these
walls. Not to know the family name
gave Ruth a sudden feeling of in
security. There was a way to find
out
CHE slipped from the room, clos
- ing the door behind her. She
crossed the hall to the big dark
library which was back of the
drawing room.
There she took from a shelf a
book and carried it into the con-
Meeting drawing room, into the cir
Gle of freight. She opened to the
f1y-leaf and found something which
she had hoped was there, an old
book plate bearing the Latin words,
lex Libris." Underneath in a strong,
clear masculine hand, was written,
"Silas S. Hunter"
She made the test with several
books and always found the same
Sir-name. In some cases "Silas S."
and in other cases Duncan" pre-
coded the name Hunter The old
Hunter house" Ruth said to her
self softly. The knowledge would
be useful.
She did not know how long she
stood there drinking in the past
wondering about the old house and
the persons who belonged to it. She
only knew that all at once John
Mcneil opened the door and crossed
the room to her, his face looking
flushed and eager and glad.
He held out his hands and she
went to meet him, forgetting the
past in the contentment of the pres
ent. When he took her in his arms
and kissed her tremulouS lips, that
did not surprise her either. This
was a dream, and dreams should be
happy.
He released her and said, st
called you, and you didn't answer.
I had the feeling you might have
left as suddenly as you came. It's
rotten feeling. I've had it all
day"
Forget it tonight" Ruth said
with a shy little smile. i've Just
been in here absorbing atmosphere
-how's the steak?"
Its elegant" he said. tits per-
feet
What modesty," commented
Ruth. They had reached the
threshold of the dining room. On
the table there were lighted tapers,
and a great bowl of pink roses was
in the center.
At Ruth'S exclamation he said,
with a sweeping gesture, Candles
by Penny. Flowers by McNeill-"
"Oh!" said Ruth. What have I
done to deserve all this?"
Just being yourself" he said
gently as he held her chair.
Ruth felt she would always be
glad that he had not said, Just be-
ing Elaine" This would be sweeter
to Observation-Disclosures.
TO Be Continued)