The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-01
CHAPTER

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
TINE wide gates ahead parted and
Il swung open and two small
children appeared so suddenly they
seemed to have sprung up like
mushrooms.
Hello, buckles" Mrs. Tracy
called. See who I've brought you
a nice lady to teach you manners
and spank you when you're
naughty"
The dark-haired, dark-eyed little
girl stepped forward confidently end
slipped a chubby, tanned hand into
AIMS. The blond, serious-eyed little
boy stood aside. Something caught
in AIMS throat. Peters son, who
would be born some day, would be
like Sonny. Sturdy, serious-eyed
Like Peter, he must be won.
She was sorry for this little boy.
Sonny had a mother who filled her
life with pictures, and books and
music that crowded these small
ones out.
I'm going to stay here a long
time, Sonny" Ann said. Let's get
acquainted now"
She smiled at him and suddenly
he was by her side. Where r your
bOoks?"
We'll use the old ones until you
and Sissy and 1 car go to town and
get new ones" Ann said.
May -" His voice was breath
less.
With lots of pictures" piped
Sissy.
"All pictures" promised Ann.
The artist mothers swinging
stride had carried her up the slope
to the bungalow spreading out
among the trees. Ann, holding
Sissy's hand, followed. But her eyes
we're on the fair-haired boy trudg-
ing along on the other side.
The other member of the house
hold will be in around Six" Mrs.
Tracy told Ann later. They were
sitting in the attractive bedroom
that had been assigned to Ann.
My brother, Allan Vincent" Mrs.
Tracy explained. She got up and
walked over to the window, walked
%restleSsly back and sat down again.
I'm quite proud of him and just
as worried about him.
What I mean is that he's gone
far in his profession. He's at the
top. But it isn't what he'd like to
be doing and it has made him bit
ter. Am I boring you?"
NO. I'm interested"
Mrs. Tracy continued, He in
tended to be an artist. We had a
small inheritance from our father
and Allan went abroad at 16. For
nearly four years he gave himself
to his studies. AT the end of that
time ar honest and very blunt in
structor told him he could never do
anything really worth while. Al
lan's sense of color is extraordinary,
but he lacks something"
Ann said softly, What a shame,
Perhaps the professor was wrong"
NO" Mrs. Tracy shook her head.
He was quite right. For six
months the boy-he'S only "a now
went wild. Drank and ran about
with a terrible crowd, lost himself
entirely. One day he met a former
claSsmate who is rich and insisted
on lending Allan some money. He
was furnishing a new home and
asked Allen to help him.
1T ended by Allan doing the
whole thing. The house vas a SEN
sation and contracts for others
poured in. 1t gave my brother a
new interest. He began to study
again. He's been in France and
England and only a few moths ago
opened an interior decoration studio
here. He's made money, but it
hasn't brought him happiness. He
has a suite OF rooms in town, but
spends most of his time here. he
tries out his color schemes in really
charming paintings. Quaint idea.
But it works"
Here it was dark when Allan Vim
cent arrived. He was slender, dark
haired. boyiSh-looking. Ann met his
dark, discontinued eyes. I'm glad
you're here" was the way he
acknowledged the introduction. For
two reasons. The kids need discip-
line"
I'm off to get into a hot bath
and then into paiamas," Mrs. Tracy
said. I'm dead!"
You look tired" Allan Vincent
said to Ann. Wouldn't you like to
have dinner in bed, too? Don't hest
tate, if you'd like to. This is the
original Liberty Hall. Very fire.
quently. the children are the only
ones at the table"
Ann was tempted. She felt tired,
lonely. sick at heart. But, thinking
of two children sitting alone at the
table. she said. mo. I'd prefer hav-
ing dinner with the children. 1t will
be a good time to get acquainted"
I'D prefer having dinner with
the children, too" the young man
said.
1t was a queer meal. Ann thought.
The strange young man with the
intelligent. restless eyes at one end
Of the table. 2 child on each size,
The children we're quiet. their fas-
cinated eyes fixed on Ann. Occa-
sionally. under her coaXing. they
broke into excited conversation.
My mother doesn't know any
stories. but Miss Lane told us some.
About Runple--"
Stills" prompted Sonny.
Skin" finished Sissy.
Ann knew about Rumplestiltsken,
too. And after dinner she told the
story with many embellishments.
She led her admiring charges of
TO bed, tucked them in, and then
returned to the hall. Allan Vincent
was there, sitting by a reading
light. He laid his book on the table.
Good night" Ann said.
Turning in so soon?"
Yes. I'm a little tired"
Won't you come into the living
room with me while I smoke a
couple of cigarettes? Or better, will
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