New Britain herald., 1916-01-21
How tho Scene Ended.

When I held out my left hand to Harry Underwood in order to show him that my rings were not lost, as he was half-playfully insisting, l did not count upon the diabolical quickness and audacity of the man.
 He caught the hand, holding it so tightly that I could not draw it away.
 You're a game little cuss. Why can't you be friends with me? You krow I won't tell Dicky about your less of the rings. Oh, l understand you found them again, but you and cousin were pretty groggy with fright about them when I saw you; don't forget that But I'll never tell, never, cross my heart, hope to dle.'
 I knew it was the veriest nonsense. The man was too much a buffoon to be dangerous, but his assumption of sharing a secret of mine, of protecting me, was intOlerable. How I wished for the safety of my own home. It seemed to me that I could never en- dure the rest of the day and evening with it's program of going out to some restaurant.
 My head was aching hard by this time. I was afraid if I stayed through the day would be really i'll with it.
 What chance had I of getting away ? DcRey would not understand, and would resent my wish to go. Harry Un- derwood was hopeless. There was put one person who could manage my go- ing home if she so wished-Mrs. Oh- l derWood
 There is something puzzling to me 1 about my feeling for Mrs. Underwood. 1 I dislike most of her ways re- sent Dicky's friendship for her, but 1 there is such an air of efficiency ana l good will about her that l know or no one whom I would rather ask for l help in an emergency. 1
 Lil to the Rescue.
 raised my eyes and looked at her l as if she had understood my unspok- ] en appeal, she nodded ever so slight 1 ly, and went on playing. She was 1 near the end of the selection, and in 1 moment a little Hitting run, a crash 1 ng high cord, a haunting low note, 1 and she rose from the bench, with l Dicky protesting violently.
 That's always the way with you, Lii. Just play one thing, get every body in musical mood, and then luit''
 Perhaps I only know one tune,' Lillian returned, laughing, as she swiftly crossed the room to me.
 You boys go and smoke" she com handed. I'm going to show Mrs. Graham some of the most wonderful in gloves and stockings ! picked up the other day. We'll see 7ou later"
 She took my arm and ushered me swiftly across the room to her bed 'oom and shut the door behind us.
 Here, sit down. lean back and ] smell this before you say anything,' she said. Your head must be ach- ng terribly I can tell by your eyes. [ have 'em myself
 She put a vial of some strong aro- matic stuff to my nose, and stroked my forehead with the dsengaged hand. The strong, magnetic strokes soothed me una ccountably.
 Look here" she said suddenly. 1 Youve been terribly upset this morn ing. I can see that. I don't want ! to know anything about it. I can 1, guess enough from what Dicky said 1 the other day. when he spoke of | your cousins return from South !, America. But you're not up to going 1 out any more today. You ought to be in bed this minute. Suppose we send the boys away, and you stay here with me this afternoon. I'm a splen- did nurse, really"
 Katie Good Excuse.
 Her kindness unnerved me. I felt really guilty at the thought of the