Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 170, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 November 1922 — Page 2

A Hoosier Chronicle By MEREDITH NICHOLSON First Novel in thè Times Series of Fiction Stories by Indiana Writers (Copyright, 1912, by Meredith Nicholson.)

6YNOPSI3 MBS. JACKSON OWEN, a practieal widow of Indianapolis, because of ber Interest in SYLVIA UARRISON) granddaughter of her old friend, PROFESSOR KELTON. gives him 6.000 lor ber eolìese expenses. Sylvia la not to know thè contenta of an nnsigned letter. delivered to her grandfather by a stranie young man, contamina a proposition w laeh he refuses. PAN HARWOOD, cierk in thè law officcs of IVKIGHT A FITCH, who also does reportorial ork for thè Courier. a Demoeratic publication, is sent to Fraaerville to write a sketch of thè HON. MORTON BASSETT, prominent and wealthy statesmen. ho impresses tiie young reporter as being very much superior, tatellectually. to other politieiaus he Lae interviewed. but appears to be a man of combative mstinct. CHAPTER VII The snow lay late thè next year on thè Madison campus. It had been a busy winter for Sylvia, though in all ways a happy one. When it became known that she was preparine for college all thè Buckeye Lane folk were anxlous to help. Professor Kelton would not trust his own powers too fax and he availed himself of thè offers of members of thè faculty to tutor Sylvia In their severai branches. Spring stole lnto thè heart of thè Wabash country and thè sap sang agaln In maples and elms. Lilacs and snowballs bloomed and Professor Kelton went serenely about among his rosea. Sylvia passed her examlnàtions, and was to be admitted to Wellesley without conditions —all thè Lane knew and rejoiced! The good news was communicated to Mrs. Owen, who wrote at once to Professor Kelton from thè summer headquarters eh e had established on her fami in northem Indiana that Just then required particular attention. It ran: "I want you to make me a visiC Sylvia must be pretty tired aster her long, busy year and I have been tinkering thè house here a little bit so you can both be perfectly comfortable. I lnclose a timetable with thè best trains marked. You leave thè train at Waupegan Station and take thè steamer across thè lake. I will meet you at any time you say.” So it happened that on a June evening they left thè train at "Waupegan and crossed thè platform to thè wheezy little ste4mer which was waiting just as thè timetable had predicted, and soon they were embarked and Crossing thè lake, which seemed to Sylvia a vast ocean. Twilight was enfolding thè world, and all manner of fairy lights began to twinkle at thè far edges of thè water and on thè dark helghts above thè lake. ©verhead thè stara were slipping into their wonted places. “You can get an idea of how it is at sea.” said her grandfather. smiling at her long upward gaze. “Only you can hardly feel thè vonder of it all here, or thè great loneliness of thè ocean at night.” Every cottager maintained his own light or combination of lights to facilitate identiftcatìon by approaching visitors. They passed a nurober of sailboats lazily idling in thè light wind, and severai small power boats shot past with engines beating fur-

iously upon thè stili waters. "The Bassotta’ dock is thè green tight; thè red. white and blue is Mrs. Owen’s,” explained thè captain. "We ain’t stoppln’ at Bassett’s tonight.” These lights marked thè farthest bounds of Lake Waupegan, and were thè last points touched by thè boat. Sylvia watched thè green light with interest as they passed. She had thought of Marian often since their meeting at Mrs. Owen’s. She would doubtless see more of her now; thè green light and thè red. white and blue were very dose together. Mrs. Owen called to them cheerily from thè dock, and waved a lantem In welcome. She began talking to her guests before they disembarked. "Glad to see you, Andrew. Tou must be mlghty hungry, Sylvia. Don’t mash my dock to pieces, Captain; it’s only woodL” Mrs. Owen comptained aster a few days that she saw nothing of Sylvia, so numerous were that young person’s engagements. Mrs. Bassett and Marian called promptly—thè former a trifle dazed by Sylvia’s sudden advent, and Marian genuinely cordlaL Mrs. Bassett had heard of thè approaching visit with liveliest interest. A year before, when Marian had reported thè presence in Mrs. Owen’s house at Indianapolis of a strange girl with Pro-, fessor Kelton. her curiosity had been piqued, but she soon dismissed thè matter. Marian had carried home little Information, and while Mrs. Bassett saw her aunt often on her frequent exeurslons to thè city, she knew by long experienee that Mrs. Owen did not yield gracefully to prodding. Through most of her lise Hallie Bassett had assumed that she and her children, as Sally Owen’s next of kin, quite filled thè heart of that admirable though often inexplicable woinan. Mrs. Bassett had herself inherited a email fortune from her father. Blackford F. Singleton, Mrs. Owen’s brother. a judge of thè Indiana Supreme Court and a Senator in Congress. whose merita and Services are set forth in a tablet at thè portai of thè Fraser County courthouse. The Baseetts and thè Singletons had been early settlers of that region, and thè marria ge of Hallie Singleton to Morton Bassett was a satisfactory lncident in thè history of both families. Six years of Mrs. Bassett’s girlhood bad been passed in Washington; thè thought of power and influence was dear to her: and nothing In her lise had been more naturai than thè expectation that her children would enjoy thè fortune Mrs. Owen had been aecumulating so long and. from all accounts, by processes hardly lesa than magica!. Mrs. Bassett’s humor was not always equa! to thè strain to which her aunt subjected lt. Hallie Bassett had. in fact, little humor of any sort. She viewed lise with a eertaln austerity, and in llterature she had fortifled herself against thè shocks of time. Conduct, she had read, is three fourths of lise: and Wordsworth had convinced her that thè world is too mueh with us. Hers were no mean standard?. She meant to be a sympathetic and helpful wife, thè wisest and most conecientious of mothersMrs. Bassett eneouraged Marian's e.ttentlon to Mrs. Owen's young visitor; but lt must be said that Marian. on' her own account, llked Gylvia and

sound delight in initiating her into thè mysteries of Waupegan lise. She taught her to ride, to paddle a canoe, and to swim. There were dances at thè casino, and it was remarkabfè how easily Sylvia learned to dance. Marian taught her a few steps on thè first rainy day at thè Bassett house; and thereafter no one would have doubted that Sylvia had been to dancing school with thè boys and girla she met at thè casino parties. Marian way thè most popular girl in thè sunimer colony and Sylvia admired her ungrudgingly. In al! outdoor sports Marian excelled. She dived from a springboard like a boy: she paddled a canoe tirelessly and with inimitable grace; and it was a joy to see her at thè tennis court, where her nimbleness of foot and thè certainty of her stroke made her easily first in all competitions. At thè casino, aster a hard round of tennis, and while waiting for cakes and lemonade to be served, she would barnmer ragtime on thè piano or sing thè latest lyrical offerings of Broadway. She taught Sylvia how to arrange her hair in thè latest fashion nromulgated by "Vogue”; she instructed her in thè refined art of manicuring according to thè method of thè best shop in Indianapolis; and it was amazing how wonderfully Marian could improve a hat by thè slightest readjustments of ribbon and feather. Mrs. Bassett kept lamenting to Pro- | fessor Kelton her husband’s protracted ■ delay in Colorado. He was interested in a mining property there and was waitim? for thè installation of new maclMery, but she expected to bear that We had left for Indiana at any time, and he was coming direct to Waupegan for a long stay. Mrs. Owen was busy with thè Waupegan farm and with direction of her farms elsewhere. On thè veranda of her house one might frequently hear her voice raised at thè telephone as she gave orders to thè men In charge of her properties in centrai and southern Indiana. Her hearing was perfect and she derived thè greatest satisfaction from telephoning. She sold stock or produce on these dlstant estates with thè market page of thè Courier propped on thè telephone desk bofore her, and explained her transaotlons zestfuliy to Professor Kelton and Sylvia. She communicated frequently with thè superintendont of her horse farm at Lexington about thè "string” she expected to send forth to triumph at county and State fairs. The Annua! Stud Register” lay beside thè Bible on thè llvìng-room table; and thè Western Horseman mir.gled amicably with thè Congregationallst In thè newspaper rack. The presence of thè old professor and his grand-daughter at Waupegan continued to puzzle Mrs. Bassett. Mrs. Owen clearly admired Sylvia, and Sylvia was a charming girl—there was no gainsaying thafcr--N. She felt that her husband would h° displeased if anything occurred to thwart thè hand of destlny that had so clearly pointed to Marian and B!ackford as thè naturai beneficia rics of thè estate which Mrs. Owen by due

proeess of nature must rellnqulsh. In all her calculations for thè future Mrs Owen’s fortune was an Integer. Mrs. Bassett reeeived a letter from her husband on Saturday mornlng In thè second week of Sylvla’s stay. lt progress from thè mining camp in thè ■ mountnins had been slow and thè boat : that delivered thè letter brought also I a telegram announclng Bassett's ar ! tival in Chicago, so that he was even j now on his way to Waupegan. As | Mrs. Bassett this intelligence | Sylvia appeared at thè veranda steps to inquire for Marian. “She hasn’t corno down yet, Sylvia. You girls had a pretty lively day yesterday and I tolfl Marian she had better sleep a while longer.” "We certainly have thè finest times in thè world,” replted Sylvia. "It doesn't seem possible that I vo been here nearly two weeks.” “l’m glad you're golng to stay longer. Aunt Sally told me yesterday lt was arranged.” “We realiy didn’t expect to stay more than two weeks; but Mrs. Owen made it seem very easy to do so.** "Oh, you needn’t be afrald of outstaylng your welcome. It’s not Aunt Sally’s way to bore herself. IfNhe didn’t like you very much she wouldn’t have you here at all; Aunt Sally’s always right straight out from thè shoulder.” "Marian has dono everything to give me a good time. I want you to know I appreciated lt. I have never known girls; Marian is really thè first girl I have ever known, and she has taught me ever so many things.” "Marian is a dear,” murmured Mrs, Bassett. She was a murmurous person, whose speech was marked by a curious rising inflection, that turned most of her statements lnto interrogatories. To Sylvia this hablt seemed altogether wonderful and elegant. "Suppose we take a walk along thè lake path, Sylvia. We can pretend vve’re looking for wild flowers to have an excuse. I’il leave word for Marian to follow.” They set off along thè path together. Mrs. Bassett had never seemed friendlier, and Sylvia was flattered by this mark of klndness. When they carne presently to a rustie seat Mrs. Bassett suggested that they rest there and watch thè lake, which had always its mild excitements. "You haven’t known Aunt Sally a great v.hlle, I judge, Sylvia? Of course you haven’t known any one a great while:” "No: I never saw her but once before this visit. That was when grandfather took me to see her In Indianapolis a year ago. She and grandfather are old frlends.” “All thè old citizens of Indiana have a kind of friendship among themselves. I used to meet your grand--1 father now and then at Aunt Saliy’s; but I can’t say that I ever knew him. He’s a delightful m;:n and lt's ptain that his heart is centered in you.” “There was never any one like grandfather,” said Sylvia with feeling. "I suppose that as he and Aunt Sally are such old frlends they must have talk ed a good deal together about yom and your golng to college. It wouldAe quite naturai.” not thought of this. She was gulleful of beings, this

DOINGS OF THE DUFFS—

HELLO,MR.DUFF-IS MRóA A f/T! OH. LET IT GO MR.DUFF ZEA f TOM VNHAT IH THE V —\ DUFF IH ? I WANTED TO \s I DON'T WANT TO POT J [3- WORLD ARE VOL> <wantfh Y WHTIT WAS RIGHT V 77 BORROWSOME BAKING f SHE ISNT HERE, YOU TO 50 MUCH LOOK IMG FOR ? ) BORROW SOME R HERE ON THE | CE BOX.’ )==?=* , | RAN 6HORT. 1 / BOT I <SOESS I ' <n <. TROUBLE VOU VE EVERYTHING } BAKING PowOER \ IF IT HAD OEEN ALIvE ) > \ i ! OUT OF THE CUPBOARDy AnD , C OOLDM' T ) . IT WOUID HAVE BITTEN-t—t {■ : e*''' | |

y VVmy fatuer pad\ /wELLYER DAO Cxar\-|IJ—-I ' !$\ \ FOR'TUIS PA p AD FIFTY 11 1 * lìjiip" V7ì CENYS FHR TMIS r M /: r 'ì ’illjl f !>n lì AAN HE'S A LOTS si 0 ''l l!j: lri I j l 1 / Bie&ER'N VOURN ) VALUE.S tjrraw-'lìgM^

THEM DAYS IS GOXE FOIIEYEIl —>

— ■■ ~ ' tmaw 50 t AT€ FTO BRGAvKFAST YWEM IWWS if 1 \ AfPETTO AINJ’T THcY IT 03 EH,

TUE OLD HOME TOWN—By STANLEY

JW F j ’i | jpTHE TtWN BOVS BEGAN GATHEfrIHC* FOR THE '■■''È&zt wa lcD€e supper as barlt /AS. fouro s clocK %M?lÌffM UNDEBTAKER. JEDBARRVMORE SAID THERE* 1 VsfoouD Be chairs for all • —^

Sylvia, and she saw nothing amiss in these inquiries. “I suppose they may have done so and Mrs. Owen talked to me about golng to college when I visited her.’ "Oh! If she undertook to persuado you, then lt is no wonder you deelded to go. She’s a very powerful pleader, as she would put it herself.” "It wasn't Just that way, Mrs. Bas-

THE IN DLANAPOLIS TIMES

OUT OUR WAY—By WILLIAMS

sett. I think grandfather had already persuaded me. Mrs. Owen didn’t know of it till afterward; but she seemed to like thè idea. Her ideas about girls and women are very lnteresting.” "Yes? She has a very deelded way of expressing herself. I should im agine, though, that with her training and manner of Use she mlght^took

Finish Tliis On Tour Fiddle

a little waiily at thè idea o£ college training for women. Personally, you understand, I am heartily in favor of it. I have hoped that Marian might go to college. Aunt Sally takes thè greatest interest in Marian, naturally, but she has never urged it upon us.” Sylvia, guesslng nothing of what was In Mrs. Bassett’s mind, fall ed to understand that Mrs. Owen’s approvai

No Easy Thing to Find

m C aut utDr ur ìDEA - S°' MS 1 ( ) A r 7 AN ) aMWL Voo WNO'AI Voo ANSVIT A stoo Vous - ( (_ MOM CAN rr ALOAK? V \ SUoES 1 AND SToOONSS j ■ B 7A i N'T 'TFPYU 'S MOJKV-oexMS' < I/ g .li

f-t*D / football , t'll mea/er forgeT yy /uh-rfe-rb qf-tu' \ 7 ( y Lar, -tu' QriTTntA ' VIEADS Voti LOSE ! - , PLAVED \ki OiJcE* I 3UST ' TlrSI ' amar* mTH'euOG caugut-tm'bau. aU' ’ ,s wor~ hwo a ? A *f * ore* a,u -W’ sleeves -thev pi aUo feu. ou mv m Ue'LL BE ABLE L OUGBTA CALL-TVUs MECK-TMekII

of Martan’s educa don was of im portance. Nothing could have been more remote from her thoughts than tue idea that her ówn plans concernecl any one but herself and her grand father. he was not so dull, however but that she be?an to feel that Mrs Bassett was speaking defenslvely of Marian. "Marian’s tasta in readlng is very

FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS —By BLOSSER

OUR BOARDING HOUSE—By AHERN

unusual, I think. I have always in j isied that she read onlj| thè best. 1 was never happier than thè day I sound Marian curled up on a lounge reading Keats. It may be that thè reai literary instinct, such as I feel Marian has, vvpuld only be spoiled by rollege; and I should like nothing bet ter than to have Marian becom® a writer. A good manjr of our best

JNOV. 25, 1922

—By ALLMAN

—By AL POSEN

American women writers have noi been college women; I was looking that up only thè other day. ’ Sylvia listened. deeply interested then she laughed suddenly, and aa Mrs. Bassett turned toward her eh e r’elt that it would do no harm to repeat a remark of Mrs. Owen s that had 6truck her aa being funny. (To B® ContinuedJ