The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-03-26

You're all set up about having
the Lairds here tonight, aren't
you?" she inquired. I'VE ILLNESSES
have been going places for fair
since the Laird kidnapping case.
Sort Of put feather in your cap
didn't it?"
Il wouldn't say that" Bill an
swered, with becoming modesty.
"After Ill, there were a dozen other
fellows ca the case. was only
one of the lawyers"
Amanda shifted. 1.-THE only one
Papa and Mama Laird seem tc
have taken under their wing
though" Her plump, pretty face
was troubled. They probably dc
great things for you, Bill-if you
didn't happen to be married. Their
beautiful daughter, Muriel-"
Bill swung from before the
mirror crossed the room. Hey,
what's eating you, old girl? It's
natural that parents would feel
grateful to anybody who helped
bring back their child"
Their son was kidnapped" Bill
said, mot the beautiful Muriel."
Bill laughted. He did not have
chance to answer, for at that mo-
ment there came tap on the bed
room door.
IT'S Sadie" Amanda muttered
i She's probably discovered at
this hour that she forgot to order
the squads. That woman nearly
drives me mad!"
But Sadie had not forgotten the
squads. When Amanda opened the
door, Sadie's chocolate face was a
study in Requirement and despair.
Lands sake, Miss Amanda, you
know what that grocery boy done
done? He didn't bring us no butter
And there amt more'n a quarter
OF a pound in the house"
Amanda's mouth frightened. Ex-
ASPIRATION threatened to destroy
her freshly applied face. In silence
she glared at Sadie; then turned to
her husband. You'll have to jump
In the car, Bill, and get some at
that delicatessen on Fulton-st. For
getting butter-at o'clock! They'll
be here in half an hour!"
To Sadie she said nothing. What
was the use? The old alibi of the
grocery boy had been worked over
time, when of course it was Sadie
herself who had failed to put but
ter on the list. One of these days
Sadie would find herself fired, in
spite of six years faithful service
A woman, especially one with real
problems, couldn't be expected to
tolerate observation-disclosures forever
Don't forget the claret, Sadie
And see that you serve loaf sugar
with the coffee. Remember last
time"
"Yes'm. I won't forget a thing
Miss Amanda"
And, oddly enough, she did not.
The Laird family-father, mother
son and daughter-found the young
ILLNESSES delightful hosts. Every
one seemed in high spirits, and you
never would have guessed, seeing the
relish with which the Lairds en-
that their own home was one of the
city's show places. Nor would yor
have guessed that only a few
months ago young Wally Lairc
had been front-page news in every
paper in the country, or that every
effort had been made to keep Murie
Lairds exquisite features out O.
those same papers.
THEY were paradoxical fam
l. lily; or so they seemed to
Amanda. She wondered why the
kidnapping was never mentioned
during the evening. 1t would have
been the natural thing, it seemed to
her, since their gratitude to Bill
had been so apparent. Why else
did they call him up all the time
Why did they pay him a retainer's
fee?
1t was exactly five minutes to 1C
when the soaring truth dawned
upon Amanda. Sadie had just re-
moved the coffee things from the
living room, when Amanda-who
had been talking to Mrs. Laird
looked up to speak to Bill.
He was not in the room.
Eyes, 1 always enjoy Lunt and
Fontaine," Mrs. Laird was saying.
And Amanda saw Bill.
Saw him talking quietly tc
Muriel Laird, out in the hall where
the light was so dim you couldn't
recognize your own first cousin
Muriel was laughing, her curly head
tilted back A hazy white figur.
inc beside Bills big silhouette.
II think it is wonderful that the,
stay married-and happy" Mrs
Laird observed wittily. But that.
because they are both broad
minded people, I suppose. That
really awfully important in mar,
riage. Don't you think SOP"
"Oh yes, awfully." Amanda
stammered, having completely los
track of Lunt and Fontaine.
Bill and Muriel Laird were com
ing into the room now, their voice.
still muted. Bill was chuckling, ans
Strengthening tildt SHY Ulue HeCA
tie. Which made 1t hard TO
Amanda to concentrate on Mrs
Laird.
But she managed. ooh yes, ont
has to he broadminded these days
That is, wife must" She hopec
Bill heard her.
Mr.. Laird stopped putting the Is.
cent cigar Bill had supplied. Hi.
genial face beamed. You say tha'
like you meant it. young lady. Anc
you're right. A man needs a wife
who-understands."
A MANDA was to remember that
IN speech. She liked old Mr.