New Britain herald., 1916-01-08
What Harry Underwood Said.

person or all the world whom would have wished not to meet in this em- barrassing predicament of mine, I should have said promptly Harry Underwood"
 However, here he was, very much in evidence, and I had to think swift ly, in order to decide what to do with him.
 I wondered how much he knew Had Lillian told him that I was not going to accompany Dicky to dinner at their home because of my engage ment to dine with Jack, and was he standing here at the door of the taxi from malicious mischief?
 Or was he simply pursuing the gen. era1 annoyance of me, which had ap- peared to be his purpose ever since he had met me?
 Whatever his motive, he must be sent about his business. I realized that.
 You're surely going to give me a lift" he persisted, his eyes fixed au- daciously on my face, his hand on the taxi door.
 I'm sorrry," I said as smoothly as possible, "but you see I am not, going in the direction of your home Didn't NILS. OuuoTWOOu tell you that 1 was not coming with Dicky for dinner but perhaps would join you later? I have an engagement to dine with my cousin who has just returned from a years absence in South America"
 A little shiver of disgust ran through me as my lips uttered the falsehood so smoothly. It seemed to me that I was launched, through no 3 deceit. But not for anything could I allow this man to know that l al- ready had dined with Jack, and that my cousin was even now hunting wild ly in the restaurant for my wedding and engagement rings which I had lost there.
 "They Can't Find Them"
 I could ina zine his derisive smile if he should guess the truth, that upon a foolish impulse to keep my marriage a secret from Jack until the dinner should be over, I had taken off my rings and put them in my mesh bag He was so cynical, so malicious, that he was quite capable of telling the in cident as a huge joke.
 I had a sudden terrifying vision of Dicky hearing the incident of the rings from the smiling, sneering lips of this man.
 He must not discover I had lost anything.
 But fate was against me- I had hoped that he would at once move on when I told him I had an engage ment.
 But I did not know Harry Under wood.
 How very interesting, this dinner engagement with cousin!'' he said mockingly. Where is cousin, by the way? I should love to meet the dear chap. Lucky cousin, to be able to dine with the bride. I don't suppose you would dine alone with me-"
 You are perfectly correct in your suppostion." I smiled, however, as l said it. Though the thought hu- initiated me, I realized that I could not afford to make an enemy of this man.
 Just then Jack came rushing down 1 the steps. One look al his white face, | and l knew the rings had not been | found. He was upset that he did not notice Harry Underwood stand | ing by the taxi, did not see my warn | ing glance, but blurted out despair ingly:
 ''It's not use, Margaret. They can't | find them anywhere" "Jack, l want you to meet MT. Un- derwood a friend of my husbands s' I said hastily, hoping to save the sit uation. MT. Underwood, my cousin | MT Bickett."
 The End of Worry.
 The two men shook hands per l functorily.
 Glad to meet you, MT. Bickett' , Harry Underwood said, in his effusive | manner. Have you lost anything i valuable? Can I help in any way?'
 Nothing of any consequence" | interrupted desperately.
 ''Oh, yes, I see, nothing of any con. sequence" he replied meaningly. Hi. eyes were fixed upon my unglovet l left hand, which showed only toe plainly the absence of my rings.
 But don't worry" he continued Your Uncle Dudley is first cousin tc an oyster. Wish you luck. So long ! and lifting his hat he strol1ed on LII | the avenue.
 Jack was consulting his note book | I heard him give the address of my | apartment to the. driver.
 Drive slowly he added. 'Whe 1 was that man?" he demanded stern l ly. He is no one you ought tc 1 know"
 "I know, Jack" I said faintly. "l 1 dislike him, I even dread him, but 1 he and his wife are old friends o1 | Dicky's, and I cannot avoid meeting 1 him.
 He will make trouble for you some day" Jack returned "I don't like him, but there is nothing I can do tt l help you. I've messed things enough now"
 What shall I do, Jack?" I walled l All my vaunted self-reliance was gone I felt like the most helpless clingins 1 vine in the world.
 Were going straight to your home