New Britain herald., 1915-12-07
An Accident Avoided-HoW Madge Explained the Psychology Of "Being Guided" Across the Street. "Is this Mrs. Graham?"
 Yes. Mrs. Smith %

telephone message had power to dis turb it. After my experience With 1 Mrs. Smith I knew no request Of hers l would have any effect upon any plan ] of mine.
 | Pardon me for calling you up so early the smooth tones of Mrs. smith went on, "but I wanted to be sure or catching you in. My masseuse 1 telephoned me late last night that she would be unable to give me my hour | today, and I wanted to reach you be- ! fore you made any other engagement. l Will our original appointment be all right?''
 1T am very sorry.' I used the con- ! ventiona1 phrase without thinking 1 until I saw Dicky's wide grin. But 1 my husband and I are just taking the 1 train for a long day in the country, and it will be impossible for me to get back in time to meet you.'' "Oh! dear!" to my astonishment the smooth tones took on tinge of l impatience. 1T have some unexpected engagements for the rest of the week. Wouldn't it be possible for you to get back, say by four or half-after? Then we could have our appointment today after all.''
 l was so amazed at her effrontery that I could scarcely gather my wits together to answer her. She had broken a business appointment with me for a visit from her masseuse. The faco that I had insisted upon keeping the appointment before heard from her had almost brought on a serious quarrel between Dicky and myself. Now that her masseuse had disappointed her she calmly ex- pected me to give up part of my day to suit her whim. There was pa tronizing note in her voice which I resented. It was almost as if she were speaking to a prospective employe.
 Paying Her Back.
 Tt will be absolutely impossible for me to do as you request.' I pur- 1 rosely made my tone deliberate and l cold. You will pardon me for hurry l ing away now. 1 am afraid I will ! miss my train. I will call you up ] when I return. Good-by.'' 1 1T heard a shocked, protesting 1 "Good-by' as l hung up the receiver. l Evidently Mrs. Smith was accustomed to having other women accommodate ! themselves to her whims I felt a 1 rapidly growing dislike to her. But ] overshadowing everything else was an i unholy joy at having paid her back ] for the unpleaSantneSS she nad caused ! me.
 Was the old girl peeved?" Dicky l asked as we walked down the street 1 with the early. crispness of the morn 1! ing air filling our, lungs and stimu- 1 lating our nerves. T gather her dear 1 r1asseuse or chiropodist fell down, and she was trying to ring you in as second ffddle.'
 You are eminently correct in your deductions, however puzzling your language" I returned mischievously. ''I know it's wrong, but am so glad 1 to have had the chance to get even with her for all the unpleasantness she caused me-"
 "It gives just the right kind of 1 fillip to the days enjoyment, eh? 1 That's a good, feminine feeling, isn't i it?"
 "Of course man never enjoys get ting back at anybody" I returned ! spiritedly.
 A Narrow Escape.
 Sure. Nothing like winning a good knock-down fight to give a man an appetite. You can't start any ar l gument with me on that question: Great morning, isn't it?"
 'Indeed it is,' I returned glad of any excuse for getting away from the subject of Mrs. Smith. 'It must be splendid in the country"
 "Just wait till you get there,' Dicky rejoined in the manner of l barker describing the virtues of a side show attraction.
 We are both rapid walkers, and it seemed no time at all until we reached the imposing station of the Penn sylvania road.
 Come on, this way'' Dicky grasped my arm, and started across to Seventh avenue, along which street the taxi entrance, a bewildering procession of automobiles was rushing.
 But hung back, pulling on Dicky's arm. As did SO, an auto horn
 sounded right behind us. Dicl1y
 jumped forward, pulling me with him
 by main force, and the auto glided
 past, missing us only by an inch or
 so.
 I did not realize the danger we had been in until we reached the curb
 on the corner of Thirty third street
 and Seventh avenue. Dicky had
 rushed me across the road with such a tight grip on my arm that the flesh felt bruised.
 "Diclxy!" I gasped. Please let my arm go. You are hurting me ter ribly.'
 ."I hope I am hurting you," Dicky growled savagely. Perhaps if I hurt
 you sufficiently you will have sense enough next time to keep from killing both of us.'
 I looked at him in amazement. He was white to the lips and his eyes
 were blazing.
 'What do you mean?" I faltered.
 A Perfect Dependence. What do I mean?" He almost , | eboYfod words "Hayou't voI1