The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-04-13


his two granddaughter, the east
side for Elizabeth and the west side
for Harriet, he hoped to put Eliza
beth's husband, Michael Sherlin, on
his mettle, to make him measure up
to Harriets husband, Felix Wayne,
who would always present to the
world the same conventional au-
thentic front that his side of the
house presented.
Daniel Ruffin couldn't be sure
about Sherlin-a fellow like that
who, before his marriage, had wan
dered about over the world writing
books for boys, a pipe between his
teeth and an Irish setter at his
heels.
He couldn't be sure about Mike,
and maybe he wasn't so very sure
about Elizabeth, either" Harriet
Wayne said to her husband. "She
used to give him a good deal of
anxiety, you know"
Their parents were dead and
their grandfather had brought them
up. Harriet had never given any
body any anxiety. Even as child
she had been round, sober-eyed,
slightly dull, conscientious person
with a quiet go-aheadness that
would take her somewhere. And
Elizabeth seemed to be where she
wanted to go right then.
Her enjoyment of life had begun
after awhile to seem to her grand
father purposeless. He wanted her
to settle down to the serious bust
ness of living. Then less than a year
before his death she married Mi
chael-not exactly the kind of hus-
band to help her do it.
PUT now that we're going to
- live here beside each other.
it's going to be all right Harriet
said. Harriet was seven years older
than Elizabeth and behaved almost
as if she were her mother THE
set-up will sort of force them to
pattern their lives after ours, don't
you think?
And goodness knows they need
something sensible and forehanded
to pattern after. When we get avn
ings in the spring, they'll have to
get some, too to match up with
them. And it will be the same way
about porch furniture-and other
things"
But it wasn't. The Felix Waynes
bought expensive awnings, and the
Michael Sherlins did without. They
said they liked the sunshine.
80 inexcusably home made look
ing" Harriet said to Felix. Eliza
beth has a good color sense, but
precious little sense of the fitness of
things. You'd think they'd have
pride enough to get new things for
their new house"
The Michael Sherlins didn't seem
to have any pride at all. They didn't
seem to think people needed it.
They got along without an incredi-
BILE number of things that the
Waynes considered essential.
THE1R heads didn't go down,
l. even, after Felix had found out
about the silver and he and Har-
riet had gone over-they felt that it
was absolutely their duty to do so
and, at last, eXpostulated.
The Sherlins knew something
was going to happen as the two of
them came through the door.
Felix went to the hearth and
took his place there somewhat like
Elizabeth thought-a coroner at
an inquest, his legs little sprad-
died, his bands behind him.
Michael Sherlin disliked nearly
everything about his brother-in-
law, bui away down at the bottom
of himself he rather liked Felix He
gave him conversational push now
because Felix always needed it.
Anything wrong?" Mike said.
well, yes-yes, there is, Mike"
Spill it." Mike said discomfort
ingly, trying to help.
We'll. the fact is--er-I was In at
lGlidden's today, and"
( Mike and Elizabeth both laughed.
And the Sherlin skeleton came
out and did a step or two for you,
eh9"
iHARRIETS cheek grew pink.
Il Il Mike" she said earnestly
II do think you might have given
Felix chance to help you before
you began selling your wedding
! presents. I really do
I'm afraid Felix wouldn't have
! been very keen to do it, Harriet, If
he had known what we were 60
ing to do with the money"
What are you going to do with
it?"
Buy car" Elizabeth said. In
fact, we've bought it."
Her sister stared at her.
But you can't afford it, can
you"
I'VE couldn't if we paid for it any
other way"
But really, Elizabeth, haven't you
any sentiment?"
For q chest Of silver given to us
by stranger"
by an old and esteemed friend
Of your grandfather's."
WAOAi VIC ucNtE saw IN our
lives" Mike said. land almost GER
tai:l!y never shall see"
1T isn't likely" Harriet said: but
It's quite possible. And II you do
see her. then what will you do?"
Make her see. hope, that she's
given us all outdoors instead OF
just something to be locked up in
a Closet"
VOU," Felix said with an ac-
\ cent Of finality, don't know
Miss ConQyer."