New Britain herald., 1916-09-16
Dicky Is Alive, But He is Hurt Slight
 ly and Needs You, Madge.


 "Never mind, Mrs. German, I'll an- swer that
 Lillian Underwood brushed past me and snatched the receiver of the tele- phone from the nerveless hand of Grace Draper's sister, Mrs. German. sank down on the stairs and clutched the stair rail tightly with both hands to keep from falling. Mrs. German shrank back against the wall as far as she could go and threw her hands out before her as if Warding off the thing she dreaded so much.
 The long, insistent peal of the tele- phone bell had come just as Lillian and I had finished reading the sinister letter which Grace Draper's sister, Mrs. German, had found underneath her pillow when she went to bed. In it the girl bade her sister good-by, left directions as to her burial and de- clared her intention of taking the longest journey of all, with, oh! such rare company if question she meant to ask that night was answered in manner to disappOint her.
 Mrs. German had rushed through the night, wild with terror, to bring us the letter and ask for an explanation.
 To Lillian and me the letter needed no interpreter.
 With the vision of Grace Drapers attempt to drown me before us, we knew that the letter, translated bald ly, meant that Grace Draper intended to-make one last appeal to Dicky, and if that failed, to take him with her on the long death journey she had threatened.
 Even half way up the stairs where I crouched, I could hear. coming over the 'phone loud, rapid unintelligible words in a hoarse voice, which I knew was not Dicky's.
 I listened breathlessly for Lillian's answers.
 Yes, yes, ths is Lil, Harry. Whats the matter
 ''Seriously?"
 Where are your" Yes, we were coming anyway. Miss Draper's sister is here with letter she wrote. We'll be in on the next train. Don't bother to meet us. We'll take taxi straight from the station.' had crept down the stairs at the word, "seriously," and now staggering with terror I caught her hand and pre- vented her putting the receiver back on it's hook.
 'tIs Dicky dead?'' I demanded. , NO, no, chi1d," she said, soothingly. 1T don't believe it ' I cried mad dened by my own fear. Gall him to the phone. Let me hear his voice 1 myself, then I'll believe you.' She took the receiver out of my grip, put it back upon the hook and grasped my hands firmly, holding them as she would those of a hysterical child. See here, Madge," she said sternly. "Dicky is very much alive, but he is hurt slightly, and needs you. We have barely time to get that train. Hurry and get ready"
 as she passed.
 Won't You Tell Me?" "Grace?" she whispered hoarsely. She is alive" Lillian said, gavely, l 'but I cannot give you any more news than that. The only thing for us to do is to get to them. "Please phone for that taxi. Mrs. German. Get one from Crest Haven. We'll take the train there as it will attract less notice there than going from Marvin"
 The woman went obedientIy to the telephone and Lillian rushed up the stairs after me. Katie was standing shivering in the hall above. Katie" Mrs. Underwood's tone was crisp, commanding, "do you want to be left all alone in this house?'
 "Oh, no, no, Katie vailed
 "Then you dress yourself faster than you ever did before in your life," Lil- Ian went on in staccato tones Throw a few things in a little bag, for you will probably be gone a day or two. Then lock up all over the house, see to your refrigerator, your stove and your lights so that we can close the house safely for a couple of days. and then