The Red Cloud chief., 1913-09-11
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
TWAS BY TELEPHONE
By ci.ARiSSA MAckIE.


Something he had whispered last
evening had hinted at his errand. and
she was aglow with her honest love
for him: and charming in her favorite
pale blue gown with pink rose at her
waist
The telephone bell whirred and she
heard Biddy's light step as she went
through the hall to answer 1t. Then
she heard the girls musical Irish
voice.
You? What-never. Mick Doolan.
not IL never married all my days.
and Biddy slammed up the receiver.
and Lydia heard her heels clicking
toward the kitchen.
A little smile crinkled the corners OF
Biddy of the opportunities of Micky
Doolan who was wild to marry the
Ford's pretty maid Biddy was quite
fascinated by Andre. the chauffeur.
who flirted outrageously with her. and
so poor Micky who was elevator start
er in a big Office building had been
relegated to the background
hut Lydia soon ceased 10 think Of
Biddy and her love affairs. II was a
pleasanter pastime to dream about her
own. But where was Dick Fellowes
with his story. now
At ten o'clock Lydia Went softly up
stairs and sat with an open book be-
tore her which she did not read. Her
eyes were more often fixed on the bed
side telephone
That is all over" said Lydia tragic.
ally as she snapped out her electric
light and crept into bed. That she cried
herself to sleep no one knew but her
self.
Up In Biddy's chamber under the
mansard roof, another girl was weep,
ing into her pillow. The cook had told
Biddy that Andre was keeping STEADY
company" with a French manicurist.
Yes, old Dicky went to Canada on
that hunting trip he talked about" bab'
oled Willie Blair In Lydia's pretty pink
ear the very next evening.
Went today?" asked Lydia with a
dizzy look In her brown eyes.
"Yes-grouchy as bear. too Elem.
ing said Dicks girl had given him the
mitten-you know he was some sweet
ON little Alma Raymond"
mo, I didn't know It," answered
poor Lydia with a pitiful attempt at a
smile.
YES" went on the gentle gossip
amiably. II put two and two together
and the sum I make is that poor old
Dick has been put out Of the game,
and that explains his sudden depar'
ture."
How could he leave business at
this time?" asked Lydia indifferently.
Prescott Is taking his place--isn't
this our dancer" and Mr.. Blair changed
the topic as they circled the ball room
in time to the dreamy music OF the
palm screened orchestra.
When Lydia reached home that
night Biddy let her into the house and
followed her upstairs to her pretty bed
room. Lydia sank down In soft
chair and extended one little slippered
foot.
"Oh, Biddy. am SO tired" she said
with little catch in her voice.
Pm sorry. Miss Lydia. Shall I bathe
them? Ill have the basin ready in 6
moment" Presently Lydia was com
Portable In dressing gown with bel
pink feet In Biddy's capable hands
Biddy rubbed vigorously while Lydia
sat there with closed eyes thinking o.
what Willie Blair had said about Dicl
Fellowes and Alma Raymond.
1t couldn't be true. she told herself
not after what Dick had whispered t
her the night before last. A mufi1et
sob startled her and she opened hel
eyes to see Biddy's hot tears falling
on her feet.
why. Biddy. what is the matter
Are you In trouble!" asked Lydia sym
pathetically.
Biddy wiped away the tears and lift
ed her redeemed eyes. Excuse me
Miss Lydia. l didn't ought to breal
down before you but" her voic,
quavered into silence.
But what. Biddy?" asked Lydia gen
tly.
Biddy drew long sigh.
Men is deceivers. ma'am." sh
s0bb0d.
II am sorry you have found then
so." faltered Lydia. startled at thi
voicing of her own troubled thoughts
"Yes, ma'am."
1T isn't Micky Doolan?"
Partly. ma'am."
"And-Andre, Biddy?"
Biddy's face went into her hands
reddened and rough with honest tot
Her shoulders shook with her dee
sobs. ITS him mostly, Miss Lydia
begging your pardon for telling 20
my troubles. and you that tired afte
your dancing all night--but there's nc
body but c-c-c-cOok to tell. and sh
warned me against HIM"
Tell me all about 1t, Biddy."
There amt no more to tell. ma an
Andre was married this afternoon to
,swell French girl who works in n man