New Britain herald., 1916-01-22


 Mrs. Underwood's bedroom in which I sat where she had left me I had wondered vaguely how she was going to persuade Dicky that I ought to go home. The result showed that as a strategist she was highly successful.
 Why, Madge dear" he said solici- tously, why didn't you tell me you felt one of your headaches coming on? I've ordered a taxi and we'll go home at once. I'll fire Katie in the morn ing. No wonder you were upset at finding she had been rummaging through your things
 "Oh, no. Dicky," I protested then stopped, smiling faintly at Dicky $ masculine idea of soothing headache Nothing mattered now. I was going home and Dicky's voice showed that he was his natural, sunny, lovable self again.
 That's right Lillian's voice broke in cuttingly "Got her head to going good by promising a nice little domes- tic ruction in the morning. Trust a man to do a, thing up really brown
 She handed me my hat. helped me into my coat, waited on me as deftly as a trained maid could have done.
 Harry Underwood Ilounged in the background, his hands in his pockets. I glanced up once, inadvertently, and found him smiling sardonically at me. I knew that he did not believe 1 had headache, but his opinion weighed less than a feather now that Dfcky was with me.
 On one thing I was resolved. Head ache, or no headache, I meant to tell Dicky everything that had happened since he had left me in the morning. He might be angry. I might have to endure another scene but there should be nothing held back
 Harry's "Kind Invitation"
 have always abhorred anything savoring of deceit. I felt that I could not endure the least shadow of it m my life with Dicky.
 The honk of car sounded outside.
 "I guess there's you choo-choo,' drawled Harry Underwood. T say, Dicky, don't let this headache spoil everything. If the wife gets better bring her back tonight, and we'll all go play bit somewhere. If she doesn't and gets to sleep the way Lii does af- ter a headache, she won't need you. Come back by yourself"
 And I had thought Dicky inconsider- ate sometimes! I caught a glimpse now of a selfishness so colossal that it made Dicky's occasional thoughtless- ness appear as nothing.
 I waited breathlessly for Dicky's re- ply, but before he had chance to speak Lillian interposed.
 Gut that out Harry she said quietly but her voice was like flint. "Dicky is not coming back here to- night He's going to take care Of hls wife,
 Her husband shrugged his shoul- ders. but did not reply. There Is one thing certain about the UnderWoods. Lillian strikes the dominant note i'll the family. Her husband busters and sneers, but I notice that she decides all questions of any importance, and there appears to be no appeal from her decision.
 The auto horn sounded again. Dicky hurried me to the door. Lillian snatched a lace shawl from a chair where she had thrown it, and wrapped it around her bare shoulders.
 Come on Harry" she called as gen. tally as if she had not just "called' him, as Dicky would say. wen see that they get in the machine all right
 Cure That Headache"
 He sulkily followed us down. Lillian patted my shoulder again as I got in to the taxi.
 "I do so hope you won't have much trouble with that head" she said anx- iously. q won't phone you, because you might just be dropping to sleep when the call came But do call me up as soon as you feel better, and do you call me, young man'-she turned cI,o i'll, and you should need me-
 Thanks awfully, Lil," Dicky an wered gratefully. I'll just do that"
 Dear Mrs. Underwood,' I said, leaning out of the taxi, q must tell you now
 You must tell me nothing," she said, pushing me back gently. Don't worry about the usual thanks. Just get home and to bed and cure that heada che"
 She took her hand from the door and turned to the chauffeur, "Drive carefully" she said. "Forty-s six East Twenty-ninth street is the number. This lady has a bad head ache and must not be jolted."
 ''Very well, ma'am.'
 "Good-bye,'' called Lillian as we drove away. Her voice was as loud and careless as ever, but it no longer grated upon me. For the moment l forgot all the other sentiments I had entertained toward her, and remem- bered only her genuine kindness to- ward me.
 How kind she is.' I murmured as the taxi started.
 She's the bulliest little scout that ever breathed," Dicky rejoined en- Enthusiastically. Indeed, felt there was a trifle too muc henthusiasm in his voice.