New Britain herald., 1916-10-25
Why Lillian Said "Don't Think About
 the Man at All, Just Enjoy

l NOIr LtlNCflcOn.'
 We'll, my dear, what arc you incoming over that you didn't see me come in? I beg your pardon, l Madge what is the matter? Tell me-" 1 Lillian Underwood stood before me. Lillian, whose entrance into the small reception room of the Sydenham, at which we had an appointment l had not even seen. She stood looking ] down at me with anxious, alarmed | expression in her eyes.
 There Is nothing the matter" I returned, evasively.
 Don't tell me a terradiddle, my dear,' Lillian countered smoothly. You're as white as a sheet, and I 1 can see your hands trembling this minute. Something has happened to upset you. But, of course, if you'd l rather not tell me-
 There was subtle hint of with drawal in her tone I was afraid that I had offended her After all, why not tell her of the stranger who had so startled me?
 Look over by the door, Lillian" I said, in a low voice, mot suddenly as if I had just spoken to you about it, but carelessly Tell me if there is a man still standing there staring at us.''
 Lillian whistled softly beneath her breath, a little trick she has when surprised.
 "Oh-h-h!' she breathed, and turn ing she looked swiftly at the place I had indicated.
 1T see a disappearing back which looks as though it might belong to Q masher.' I just caught sight of him as he turned-we7l set-up man about middle age, hair sprinl<led with gray, rather stunning 1ool1ing.'
 Tillian's Common Sense.
 "Yes that ie the man." I returned, faintly "but Lillian. I'm sure he isn't an ordinary 'masher.' He had the strangest, saddest. most mysterious look in his eyes. It was almost g if he knew mo or thought he did, and I, I have the most uncannv feeling about Tim as if he were some one had known long ago. I can't describe to vo1 the effect he had upon me-"
 ''Nonsense" Lillian said, brusque1v, "Hhe man is just an ordinary common 1adv-kiIler of the type that infests these hotc7e and ought to be horse whipped at sight. You're getting fanciful and I don't wonder at 1t. You've had 2 terrible summer, with all that trouble the Draper caused YOU. and I ina zinc you haven't heon having any too easy a time with dear mamma -in-1aw Pm nichtv glad you're going to get away with Dickv hv yourself A week in tho mountains ought to so+ vou I'D wonderfully, and VOL certainly need 1t when you start weaving mysterious tragedies about the common or garden variety of masher.'"
 Ii1lian's rough common sense steadied mo, as it always does felt ashamed of my m om entary emotion.
 CT fancy you're right T11ian,'' I said nonchalant1v. "T1ot's forget about it and have some lunch. Where shall we go?'
 "There's a bully little tea room down the street here" she said. 'lt's very English with the tea cczies and I'll that sort of fl'l1s, and some Of their luncheon dishes are delicious. Shall we try it?''
 "Rv all means" returned. and we went out of the hotel together
 Although looked around fur lively and fearfu1lv as we left the hotel entrance. I could see no trace ot the man who had so startled me. Scoring myself for being so foolish as 10 imagine that the man might still be keeninr track of me- put all thought of his actions away from me and kept ,n with IilIians brisk pace chatting with her gayly over our past exper1- ences in buying hats and the execrable creations turned out by milliners gen. orally.
 Don't Say Anything"
 The tea room proved all that Lillian ct11p early enough to escape the noon hour rush and secure a good table near g. window looking out upon the street. 1T like to look out upon the people nassIng don't yOu?" Lillian said, as she seated herself.
 "Yes, I do," I assented, and then WIG turned our attention to the menu cards.
 "rm fearfully hungry" Lillian an- 1 nounced. i've been digging all morning. Oh! it's chicken pie here today" Her voice held all the glee of a, gormandizing child. "T don't think these individual chicken pies | they serve here can be beaten in New York" she went on. 'Y ou know the usual mess-potatoes and onion, and @ little bit of chicken i mixed Up with a sauce they insult with the name gravy. These are the l real article-just the chicken meat l with a delicious gravy covering 1t, baked in the most faky crust you can imagine. What do you say to those, with some baked potatoes, new lima beans, sliced tomatoes and an ice for desert?''
 'I don't think 1t can be improved upon,' I said, gayly, and then I clutched Lillian's arm. Look quick ly," I whispered, "the other side of the street!''