New Britain herald., 1916-09-06
Why Grace Draper Accepted Mrs.
 UlAi7C1vyOOd'S '"TCrmS' Dcfiantly.

moments when Grace Draper and l4ll- lian Underwood faced each other in our improvised bathing tent, waiting for the girls answer to Lillian's ultl- matum
 During our "desert island'' picnic, Grace Draper, Dlclly's beautiful model. whose infatuation for him had made my summer most miserable, had overheard an impatient remark of Dicky's concerning her, which evidently had driven her to dcspera- ton.
 Later she and I had gone far out into the surf together, where she had performed many spectacular feats, re- reatedly swimming around under water.
 During one of these appearances of hers I had felt a savage clutch at my foot, dragging me down into the waves, and had nearly drowned in consequence.
 Neither Lillian, who had watched US from shore, nor l, had any doubt that the girl had intended to cause roy death. That, whether from re- morse or fright, she had saved me cfterward, did not matter to Lillian. She seized upon the opportunity for ever to separate the girl from DiclIy.
 Summoning her to the improvised tent where I lay weak from my ex- perienco, she had bluntly given the girl her choice of accepting Harry Underwood's offer of theatrical en- gagement and forever leaving Diclly's life, or having Lillian summon the other members of the party and tell them of what she had learned.
 The girl stood with bent head for g. long minute as Lillian flared out her ultimatum: "Take this offer or take the consequences,' then she lifted it and looked steadily into Mrs. Underwood's eyes.
 "Remember, I admit nothing,'' she said. defantly, "but, of course, I accept your offer. There is nothing else for me to do in the face of the very ingenious story which you two have contocted between you.'
 She turned and walked steadily out of the tent.
 Her words, the blaze in her eyes, the very motion of her body was magnifcently insolent.
 She's a wonder!" Lillian admitted, drawing a deep breath, as the girl vanished. "I didn't think she had bravado enough to bluff it out like that"
 Madgc Takes a Nap.
 And now my dear,' Lii spoke briskly just lean your head against my shoulder, shut your eyes, and try to rest for a httle I know that sand with a rain coat covering doeSh make the most comfortable couch in the world, but think I can hold you so that you may be able to take a tiny nap"
 Against my feeble protest, which she absolutely disregarded, she sat down on the sand by my side, and, putting her arms around me, cradled me as if I had been a child.
 Obediently I shut my eyes, and pre- tended to sleep in order to please her. The quiet, the warmth, the pro lection of her arms did indeed soothe me, so that my nerves qu1eted into their normal state, and l felt my strength returning again. But l was tCo excited and happy to sleep.
 Dicky's face, his voice. his kiss when I first recovered consciousness were vividly before me. I longed for the day to be over, for the guests to be gone. I wanted Dicky all to my self as I had had him in the days before Grace Draper had done so
 
 It was Dicky himself who broke in upon these musings. He parted the sail cloth, looked in cautiously and said in a stage whisper:
 "1s she asleep?"
 Before Lillian could answer l opened my eyes and smiled joyously at my husband.
 Not now, Dicky," I said cheerily. 1T have had a wonderful rest, thanks to Lillian. I am feeling almost my |, self again.
 Ready for me to carry you out?' Dicky asked You should see the throne Harry has fixed up for you."
 "Oh! I think I can walk" I replied, bravely raising myself on my elbow and attempting to stand on my feet. But Lillian held me firmly, and Dicky strode over and lifted me in his arms.
 How dare you try to stand up?' he demanded with fierce tenderness, ''you're as weak as a cat yet. Just remember, I'm your boss for the rest of the day, young lady. Don't you dare to move unless I give you per- mission."
 How Kindness Was Rebuffed
 He lifted me in his arms and carried me out to the sand piles where the rest were gathered about the clam bake His breath was coming rather unevenly, and little beads of pers- DiratiOn stood on his forehead when l he finally put me down on a heap of 1 cushions from the motor boat which l Mr. Underwood had arranged in a l 11ost comfortable resting place. But 1 his face was radiant, and the look | he bent upon me told me as nothing l else could that my weight had been l a precious burden to him.
 The others welcomed me warmly | but quietly, as if they were all sub dued at the nearness to a tragedy l which had come to us.
 Grace Draper's manner was perfect 1 l felt that she would go far as an |