The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-05-16

n DAVID Coke, an alert, we'll
L N built young chap of IS, walked
up the immaculate path that led to
the Binney's imposing house on the
best street in Gailburg, he noticed
shat not a piece of gravel on the
walk nor blade Of grass on the
perfect lawn seemed out of place.
You didn't need to be graduate
OF Scotland Yard to know what kind
of people lived in here-efficiency
was their middle name. Dave turned
TO his companion, Mr.. Evans, the
towns smartest lawyer, and with
his hand on the front door bell re-
marked:
Il wish you hadn't dragged me out
here for supper. feel like a darn
TOOL" Mr.. Evans chuckled.
You needn't" he replied. Marion
Binney doesn't know anything about
your Uncle JoeS- WILL"
OK years before David Coke had
~ left Gailbury for New York.
There he'd found a Job with
wholesale drug firm and, WORKING
hard, was now drawing down enough
on which to live, save a little and
become engaged to Molly Blake.
Falling in love with Molly had been
the most wonderful adventure of
Dawes life.
They planned to be married in the
fall, for If only they could be to-
gether poverty had no terrors for
Molly. However, she was confident
they wouldn't be poor for long and
1t made Dave feel fine to hear her
say: You're so clever, darling, you're
going to get ahead in no time!"
Then, in the very midst of all theil
plans and on the eve of Dawes sum-
mer vacation came Mr.. Evans letter
from Gailburg announcing Uncle
Joe CoXe's death.
But it wasn't until after the flu
neral that Mr.. Evans summoned
Dave to his office and there read
him only as much of Uncle Joe's
will as the law compelled Boiled
down, this outrageous document
stated that David Coke was to in
herit the sum of $4,000, his Uncle
Joes drugstore in Gailburg and his
Uncle Joe's house provided within
six months time said nephew mar
ried Marion Binney.
LIVERY time Dave thought Ct
~ that word provided he saw red,
Outside of no-star moving picture
plot, Uncle Joe's will was the most
unfair, preposterous one ever drawn.
But Dave ragged in vain. Uncle Joe
had been of sound mind, and if
Dave didn't like the will it was Just
too bad. Dave thought how much
he liked it right now, as walking
into the Binneys living room he
said good evening to the girl Uncle
Joe had decided he was to marry.
The Binneys hadn't changed
much in six years. Marion, with
her quiet air rof possession,
erect carriage and swapping black
eyes was. perhaps, even better look.
ing than in the old days. M.
Binney, tail and STOPPING, listened
meekly as usual to his handsome
wife, who was Marion all over again
only 25 years her senior.
After a delicious supper, Mrs.
Binney Unanswered SO that Dave
and Marion were left alone on the
side piazza in the moonlight. It
was a beautiful night, peaceful,
quiet, the kind of stiffness that
Dave and Molly longed for in New
York and never found but, wasted
here, and as Dave regarded Marion
sitting bolt upright in the swing,
he realized that he would never
have any desire to take this girl in
his arms and shield her from LIES
hard knocks.
"OH, by the way" said Marion
~ with elaborate carelessneSs
after a little pause, "the whole
towns talking because your Uncle
Joe's will doesn't have to be pro-
bated for six months. DO you know
what's going to become of his
money!"
NO" replied Dave honestly, 81
really don't"
He didn't take it with him"
observed Marion, ''or his house or
his drug store, eitheri" And as
she spoke she flashed a speculative
glance at Dave from her black ewes
that made him feel vaguely uneasy.
Marion Binney was the kind of
person who got what she wanted.
and If by chance she wanted him
Dave ran his fingers around inside
his collar.
When Dave returned to his Uncle
Joe'S house that night he found
that Ellen, Uncle Joe's houSekeener
Tor 20 years had not only turned
down his bed for him but also laid
out paJamas and placed a pitcher
OF Ice water within easy reach on
a small table. Dave laughed as he
thought of his third-Story room back
in New York.
BREAKFAST next morning as
~ served by Ellen was leisurelv
and delicious. not at all like the ones
ne 2onbled any old way at a cor
ner drug Srore. Moreover. while
waiting on him, Ellen's manner was
oeierentially polite as though he
were already the head of the house
and her future employer. Not only
did Dave find Ellen'S attitude ex-
tremely gratifying. but also that of
his old friends who, assuming him
10 be his uncle's heir, expressed
their pleasure at his return. In New
York the name of Coke was merely
something TO call you by; in Gail |
burg 1t meant a great deal. There
had been a Coke in the town ever
since 1t was founded 200 years be-
fore. Yes. thought Dave to himself. |
1t would be pity II there were to be
no more Coxes in the place. In |
way, It might almost be his duty to |
come back. He decided he would STAY