Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 28 January 1938 — Page 26

PAGE 26

CAST OF CHARACTERS CONSTANCE CORBY-—heroine; richest girl in the world. BRET HARDESTY-—hero; bridge builder. RODNEY BRANDON—Connie’s fiance. KATIE BLYN-——Connie’s ‘‘double.”

Yesterday—Bret answers Connie's challenge; refuses to permit a divorce. He is determined to make her like her marriage!

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“ ES, I decided not to go to Bermuda,” Connie said to Rodney Brandon, over cocktails in the small private club at which they were lunching together. “Bret

staged a scene, refused to go. Though that’s not my only reason for giving up the trip.” Her pretty face took on a look of determina- . “I'm going to divorce Bret, Rodney.” “you are!” There was no mistaking the eagerness that lighted Rodney’s eyes. He leaned across the little table, intimately. “Darling. . . . I, well, perhaps, I shouldn't say this —but I'm glad. Bret isn't the man for you. Your worlds are miles apart. You made a mistake in marrying him. There's no reason why you shouldn't put an end to it.” That was what Bret had said— that their worlds were miles apart. It re-echoed in Connie's heart; or in the empty dull aching space where her heart had been. She knew why Rodney was glad. He thought that when she divorced Bret that then she would marry him. And most likely she would. She and Rodney belonged to the same world; they were alike in every way. Except that she did not love him. “It's going to be difficult,” she said, twisting the stem of the glass between her slim fingers. She scarcely had sipped the sherry. She had planned this luncheon for a purpose. Rodney must help her in what she must do. “Bret says he won't let me get a divorce. But I think hell change his mind. I shall tell him that if he won't let me divorce him, I shall force him to divorce me.” “How can you manage that?” Rodney’s slow smile was full of admiration. Things were working out just as he had known they would when Connie first had run away from him. He had not run after her. He was sure, given time enough, she would come running back. “Is there anytihng I can do?” he added now. “You know if there is, you have only to demand it.” “I hoped you'd say that.” Her eves met his a quickening moment; then dropped before his gaze. She knew what she meant to do; she had planned it craftily, after the first swift rush of furious anger had died down and she had resolved that she would show Bret she could have her own way no matter what he did, no matter if it broke his heart—and hers. “I hoped you'd help me.” ” ” 5

" OU knew I would. Haven't 1 told you I'd stand by always— your humble henchman? What is it you want me to do, Connie dear?” She wondered why Rodney failed to stir her to any deep feeling. He always was so agreeable, so perfect; she could count on him to do just as she wished without question. “I shall tell Bret I am going away with you—that you are my lover,” Connie said. : Even Rodney had not expected that. His eyes widened; then he reached across and caught her hand, held it. “Do you mean that? you wouldn't go away with me? Force him to divorce you. . .. You must hate him, Connie. You must not care what he thinks of you.” “I don’t.” Her answer was brief. She did not say whether she hated Bret or not. Perhaps she did not know. The dividing line between hate and love is so fine, a silken thread. It might have been hate, or love, or pride, that caused her to follow the course she had chosen. “You'd do it, then, Rodney?” “You know you need not ask. And of course we'll be married just as soon as Bret does the decent thing and divorces you.” “Yes . .. of course.” She supposed they would have to be. She was not thinking that far ahead, however. This was another wild impulse that had caught her up, rushing her along on its torrent. She had to do something. Something to hurt Bret. To even the score. To force him to let her win. To make him think she hated him.

5 " un

HEY were living in complete unhappiness now, like strangers, like people who had never known each other. Bret stayed in his rooms; Connie in hers. During the day he was gone, she did not know where, or with whom. She did not know what his planus were. She did know that she would not go on this way. She could have gone to Bermuda. If Bret had unpacked her things, tossing them out of the window, as he had threatened, she could have repacked others. She could have left. But that would have been only a temporary arrangement. Nothing final. She had told Bret she meant to divorce him. That was what she would bring about, no matter how it was managed. She did not have any grounds against him. She might have managed to have faked some; but she knew he would fight them. She knew he would fight, no matter what she did. After that moment, when he had held her by her shoulders and had shaken her, and had told her he would not divorce her, that she was his wife, and would remain his wife forever, he had become again the Bret he had been before their marriage. The Bret she had loved, whom she had fe't she could trust, with whom she had known she need never be . afraid of anything. Though now it was this same Bret whom she hated—or did she really hate him?

» » "

HE supnosed he hated her. He behaved as though he did. He had accused her of changing him, or robbing him of his self-respect. He would not go her way; he refused to accept her world, her friends, anything in it. She would not return to his. There was nothing for her to do except to make him hate her. Then had come this cunning plan. If she could make Bret hate her enough, if she could prove to him that she really was not his wife, make him believe her unfaithful, untrue to those vows he thought so solemn, so binding, then he would divorce her. She would have won. _ She did not stop to consider how ‘might be such a victory. How

BY ADELAIDE HUMPHRIES

long the gnawing remorse. How futile the tears. «When are you going to tell him?” Rodney asked one day soon after this luncheon. He was eager, exultant. “When are you going with me, Connie dear?” “Tonight,” she answered. What was the good of waiting? What was the sense of going on another day, or night? “You mean youll go away with me tonight?” Rodney caught her hands in his. “You must not say you will—again—and not mean it, Connie. You never should have run away from me that first time.” ” os ” N<% she supposed not. Yet, if she hadn't, she never would have had those happy busy days in the little valley town, she never would have known Bret—and his love. It was over now; it had not worked out. But still it was something to have had such love as it had been.

“I'll go tonight,” she said. “I

mean it, Rodney. I'll meet you at midnight, at the pier. The yacht is ready to sail at any notice. We'll go away together, after I've told Bret.” Rodney raised her hand to his lips. “You'll never regret it, dearest,” he said. “I'll make you happy, Tl spend the rest of my life obeying your every wish. I never loved you so much, you never looked more beautiful than you do now. we'll sail clear around the world. . .."” Connie wrenched her hands away. No, they would not do that. She had gone around the world, with Bret, on her second honeymoon. This third one—without him—would be a mockery. She said “I don’t know where we'll go. That doesn’t matter, yet. But I'll send word to Captain Stephens. We'll sail tonight. Nothing—no one — shall keep me from going.”

(To Be Continued)

(All events, names and characters in shis story are wholly fictitious.)

Daily Short Story

CURTAIN CALL—By Athlyn Deshais

AXINE DEVINE was an actress. With commingled feelings of grudging admiration and indefinite alarm, Gerald was forced

to admit this to himself as he watched her make her way unhurriedly and regally across the parquet of the hotel dining room directly toward him. He knew with the prescience born of all the years of their previous association that she would stop and put on her best imitation of lovely surprise at seeing him. The only thing he could do would be to invite her to dine with him. And that was precisely the one thing in the world he didn’t wish. Exactly as he had predicted, Maxine was presently sitting at his table with what once would have been charming and desirable proximity. But it doesn’t happen to be the most comfortable feeling in the world to meet one’s estranged wife suddenly after three years, even if all rancor had disappeared. «youre looking extremely well, Gerald,” she complimented as an opening conversational gambit. “But then, you've probably done very well since—well, since we haven't been together.” Gerald refused to permit his true thoughts to appear.

” LJ ”

«¥'VE managed to get along sO far,” he admitted. “You are as lovely as ever, Maxine, if you'll permit my saying so. And how is Norman?” It might be well at the very outset to disarm any suspicion that he was still jealous of the man who had broken up his home, cheated him of his wife. Besides, it no longer mattered. Maxine made a tiny mouth of dismay and leaned across the table to place her hand with an unconscious appeal for sympathy upon his own. Gerald recognized it—he had seen her do it so often. “He has not been well, and you know there hasn't been a great deal to do in the theater so far this season.” He had guessed as much. The coat of the woman across from him was not this year's model or even last year’s. The tiny scuff marks on the ridiculously high-heeled pumps were past the stage of eradication. And it suddenly came to him that upon her entire person

Mind Your Manners

Test your knowledge of correct social usage by answering the following questions, then checking against the authoritative answers below: 1. How would a secretary answer her employer's telephone? 2. Is it better to answer a private telephone by saying, “This is Mrs. Martin's residence,” or “This is Mr. Martin’s house”? 3. At a party is it best to avoid heated discussions of controversial topics? 4 When an acquaintance says, “How do vou do,” is one supposed to re ly, “How do do,” or say, “Fine, think you”? 5. How would a woman introduce herself to her child's teacher?

What would you say if— You have not heard clearly an important word or statement made by a person with whom you are conversing— (A) “Pardon me” in a questioning tone? (B) “I'm sorry, I didn’t hear what you said?” (C) Nothing and hope to pick up the idea later on?

= ® » Answers

1. “This is Mr. Roper’s secretary.” 2. The latter. 3. Yes. 4. The former, for it is only a greeting. 5. “I am Mrs. Fleming— Sue’s mother.”

Best “What Would You Do” ( Ds

“You are as lovely as ever, Maxine.”

there was not a single piece of jewelry in evidence. “I've heard that the theater has hit one of its usual slumps,” he admitted, “and you can’t imagine how sorry I am.”

" " ”

"TT you aren't connected any longer with it?” she wanted to know. “I've often wondered what you were doing since I've not seen your name appearing in any of the theater journals. I suppose you've found something more certain and profitable, to judge by your appearance!” Gerald was pleased. It had always been a matter of pride with him to keep himself carefully groomed at all costs. “No, I played my last engagement quite some time ago.” The waiter’s appearance prevented the discussion from falling into what Gerald felt was dangerous channels. The fact was developing that Maxine’s chance presence in the dining room might have an ulterior motive. It would be not very unreasonable to assume that she had seen him from the street, since the dining room was upon the ground floor. The motive was obvious immediately their dinner was placed upon the table. Judging by the restrained avidity which Maxine exercised in making away with her food, it was easy to see that it was probably the first she had in too long. It pained Gerald to think that such a proud and lovely person should be reduced to such straits, especially before a man from whom she could expect little more than recognition. 8 n 2

“ RE you sure you've had quite enough?” he asked. His former wife relaxed over her coffee with visible satisfaction. Gerald noted that some color had come back into her cheeks under the makeup. “I must compliment you on your ability to order a perfect meal, as usual. I've really enjoyed every mouthful!” “I'm glad to hear you say that. It might have been so different, I mean, with two intolerant persons!” And then, irrelevantly, “you know, I was reminded just today that last week was your birthday anniversary.” Maxine eyed him thoughtfully. “How odd,” she wondered, “that you should have thought of me particularly today!” Gerald smiled easily. “Not at all. You remember that superb platinum watch you gave me on our first anniversary?” Her eyes automatically went to his waistcoat and the slender chain banding his vest. “Every time I looked at it I was unconsciously reminded of you. But today, for some reason, I gave it more attention than usual. Would it be out of order if I were a trifle late in returning a courtesy?” From his billfold he extracted a $20 note and folded it into her hand. “Best wishes,” he said sincerely. Maxine hesitated momentarily, then hastily stuffed the bill into her purse. Gerald surmised that she was fearful of letting false pride make her refuse. » ” 2 1 AFRAID youre much too generous, ‘Gerald, but I appreciate your thoughtfulness because I know you mean it.” “Not at all,” he deprecated with a grin. “But now, if you don't mind excusing me for being rude, I must ask you to leave me. I'm expecting a gentleman momentarily upon a matter of important business.” “Of course, I mustn't interfere with your business engagements, Gerald. Thanks for everything—and the best of luck!” He watched her with relief as she moved toward the door with her easy, graceful walk. Then he sat back to wait for the important gentleman to arrive with the check. Idly his hand caressed the few coins in his pocket and the pawn ticket which represented his watch and overcoat, lately put up as final security against penury. But Maxine would never know. He was also, he reflected with some wry satisfaction, quite a bit of an actor himself!

THE END Dhies And characters In y fictitious.) .

Our army exists for defense, but if we are attacked we shall answer

(All events, this story Te

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES OUT OUR WAY

By Williams

OH, THIS BOARD T WHY, THIS IS A KINDA LIFE PRESERVER ~ TH' \CE IS AWFUL THIN, AN’ IE \T BREAKS T'LL HAVE SOMETHING TO HANG ON TO. JIS’ PLAYIN' SAFE \S

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FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS

ROLLING ON BOTTLE OF NITRO HIGH EXPLOSIVE. SECOND -MAY BE

OCCUPANTS

WELL, THAT'S VERY SAFE. ITLL

BEFORE DEEP ENOUGH

FGNORANCE IS BLISS, INDEED.

SENDS THE CAR AND ITS INNOCENT 4 SUDDEN

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OJ. RWNLLIAMS

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1-28

——

By Sylvia

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“What a surprise! I thought you two had separated.”

“We have, but we thought we'd better keep up appearances

for the sake of

THE ONE THAT

HE TOOK OUR OIL WELL AWAY — US, BUTCH, OLD KID, BUT DON'T worry! WE'LL GNVE OLD MAN SCUTTLE A BATTLE IN COURT AND SEE IF HE HAS RIGHTS TO THAT PROPERTY!

HELLO, MR. BENTLEY! WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO ABOUT

NOTHING , SON... NOTHING ! IT'S HIS PROPERTY Ji AND YOU CAN'T

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the children.”

You SEEM TO BE TAKING IT KINDA LIGHTLY, MR BENTLEY!

I HAVE My REASONS, Son! KEEP YOUR EYES ON SCUTTLE AND WATCH THE FUN ! SOMETIMES THE HANGMAN GETS ALL TANGLED UP IN HIS

OWN roPE !!

ASK THE TIMES

Inclose a 3-cent stamp for reply when addressing any question of fact or information to The Indianapolis Times Washington Service Bureau, 1013 13th St., N. W., Washington, D. C. Legal and medical advice cannot be given, nor can extended research be undertaken.

Q—Do sign painters use ordinary brushes and paint for lettering on oilcloth? A—They use a lettering quill or a one-stroke brush, and japan colo's thinned with turpentine. Ordinary domestic oilcloth is too glossy for the purpose, and a special kind called sign painter's oilcloth is used.

Q—When did the forebears of William Howard Taft come to this country, and where did they settle? A—Robert Taft came from England to Massachusetts in the 17th Century. Aaron Taft fought in the American Revolution and then settled in Vermont, where the family remained for many generations.

Q-I am an American-born woman and I married an alien in 1905; did I lose my American citizenship? A—No; the law providing that American women who married aliens lost their citizenship status was in effect only from March 2, 1907, to Sept. 22, 1922. Before and after those dates American women who married aliens retained their American citizenship.

Q—How would you describe the baying of bloodhounds? A—A musical, yodeling howl.

Q—Are the verbs correct in the expressions “He flung himself down” and “The President sat himself down”? Can the verbs be transitive? A—The verb “fling,” past tense “flung,” is transitive. It means to throw or sling passionately, as “he flung his coat down”; or “he flung himself in a chair.” “Sit,” past tense

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with the greatest offensive in history Commissar Voroshilov

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ITS TIME YOU KNEW WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT, MY PEAR BOY. AHEM! MR. SCHUYLER SMYTHE SA

“sat,” is both transitive and intransitive. In its transitive use it is generally reflexive as “sit thee down,” “he sat himself down.”

QName the different flags the present state of Texas has been under. A—Spanish, French, First Republic, Mexican, Second Republic, United States, Confederate States and again United States.

Q—How many workers in the United States are protected by unemployment insurance? A—Tt is estimated that nearly 91 million jobs are protected by unemployment compensation laws.

Q—How long has Don Ameche been off the “First Nighter” radio program, and who replaced him? A—Lester Tremayne replaced Ameche, June 4, 1937.

Q—What is the mode of execution in Germany? A—The German Ministry of Justice says that the guillotine has superseded the executioner’s ax in Germany.

Q—Does the President of the United States have absolute authority to appoint his Cabinet? A—The President selects his appointees, but they must be confirmed by the Senate.

Q—How many miles per hour can the average person walk? A—The average person probably can walk at a speed of about six or seven miles an hour, but the ordinary average speed is between four and five miles.

Q—How much duty must I pay on a dress worth $3.95, which I intend to send as a gift to my sister in Toronto, Canada? A—Gift packages valued at less than $5 may enter Canada free of duty. Mark the package plainly, “Gift, Not for Sale.”

Q—Where and when were Deanna Durbin and Judy Garland born? A—Deanna Durbin at Winnipeg, Canada, Dec. 4, 1922; Judy Garland at Murfreesboro, Tenn, Jan. 10, 1923.

[re |S BEDRIDDEN- TRANSACTING ALL BUSINESS BETWEEN HIS BANK AND HiMSELF BY TELEPHONE. TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF TO HIS BANK MANAGER--~

By DR. MORRIS FISHBEIN American Medicat Journal Editor EX renys publicity given to recent outbreaks of severe diarrhea among newborn babies in the nurseries of hospitals has perhaps caused undue apprehension as to this condition. In two and one-half years there were 16 such outbreaks in the aurseries of 11 hospitals in New York City. Epidemics recently have been reported from institutions in Kansas and in Chicago. The condition, therefore, is not extraordinary—but it may be unusual in its severity. In the usual outbreak one or two babies within a few days after birth will suddenly develop severe diarrhea with a high fever, loss of weight and the other signs of severe intestinal intoxication. In the very worst cases death may be prompt but in many instances the child may be ill a week or longer and may, in fact, die of some intercurrent condition such as pneumonia. In the milder cases the babies recover within two or three weeks. Two generations ago diarrhea in babies, particularly the so-called summer complaint, was exceedingly common. Babies suffered from what was called cholera infantum and cholera morbus, but in recent years that type of condition had been largely overcome by use of pure water, pure milk and through sanitary control of nurseries. It has been customary in the hospitals to determine exactly which bacterial organisms were responsible in each outbreak. When these conditions first developed, it once was customary to take the infected children out of the nursery and permit others to be brought in.

® =» = ORE recent practice involves immediately closing the nurseries for the newborn in hospitals and making certain that new cases

will not develop. It is also necessary to study the routine

HE USES A CERTAIN KEY WORD. BOTH MEN BELIEVE ONLY TWO PERSONS IN THE WORLD KNOW THIS

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SEND HIM $1,000,000 IN SECURITIES= | MESSENGER

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“Canada, United States, Mexico—the same thing,

technic in the nurseries to make sure that mothers, attendants, nurses and other personnel are not carriers of bacteria which are dangerous to babies. The newborn baby is so sensitive to infection from food or from the

attendants in the nursery, or sometimes even from the air, that it is necessary to adopt measures almost like that of the operating room to insure protection. In one nursery all the attendants wear caps and face masks

Meaico—Canada, United States,

1”

year in, and year out

and sterilized gowns and are ree quired to scrub and disinfect their hands before handling each baby. The nurses who feed the babies are not permitted to dress them or to change their diapers. Each baby is kept in separate cubicle and all instruments and equipment are boiled before use. In order to prevent infection new precautions are now being developed in most of the hospitals which will make the conditions much safer for the babies,

STUY SELLE

LONG FILLER CIGARS

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FRIDAY, JAN. 25, 1088" |

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