New Britain herald., 1917-07-07
What Is It That troubles Lillian
 Underwood.


 Underwood. !, For heavens sake Madge What on earth do you mean by that?' My husband scowled at me in be- wilderment when I told him that was afraid we would have to leave Lillian Underwood out of our plans for entertaining Robert Savarin. He had good reason for being puzzled, for months before when we had discussed the subject of the artists return to the world from which he had been absent ,so long, Lillian had been en- thusiastic in her plans for entertain ing him. ;,
 Dicky did not know that during the illness following my burns upon the night of his birthday dinner, Lillian had told me of her youthful romantic adoration of Robert Savarin because he had made it possible for her to realize her dream of becoming an artist. She had also told me that be- cause of her husbands attitude toward her little girl the child Of her former tragically unhappy marriage she and Harry Underwood had almost come to the parting of the ways, and that with her mind and heart so at tuned to tragedy she did not think it wise for her to meet Robert Savarin again.
 had kept both secrets from Dicky. for I am not one of the women who believe that condolences from their friends should be retailed to their hus- bands. But the fact that he was ignorant of Lillian's feelings made it a puzzling matter for me to explain things to him. I took refuge in a sub terfuge, som ething which I loathe, but in which my life with Dicky had made me fairly proficient.
 II don't think she cares to go out much or to meet new people since she has her little girl with her. ex- plained lamely. Then, too, MT. Un- derwood is in South America and don't believe she enjoys going with out him.
 Dicky laughed aloud
 Make Her Come"
 ''What prim little Puritan,'' he said, with the teasing playfulness which always annoys me. That sure is a scream Lii not caring to go any where because Harry isn't around: Why, that gang they train with wouldn't think it was respectable to be seen too often with your own hus- band or wife,"
 T never saw the Underwoods with any one else,' I retorted a trifie sharply.
 That's because you never saw much of them outside our own home,' Dicky shot back. But they always were mild compared to the rest of that bunch. Come to think of it, there may be something to your dope after all. Lil hasn't been out since Harry left It must be on account of the kid, though; I don't believe her life is so bound up in old Harry's as to make her take the veil" . Dfckys mocking tone made me realize that he had no Illusions con- corning the state of the Underwoods' marital affection His next words made me wonder how far he was in Harry Underwood's confidence.
 Never mind what Lil says,' he said abruptly. Just make her come out here while Savarin is here. It will do her good. And she needn't have any scruples on Harry's account. 1 That lad is perfectly capable of at- tending to his own affoirs. I'm about through with him if anybody should happen to ask you.'
 A Snsotllered Sob.
 I was wise enough to make no comment upon this remark. startling though it was to me. Dicky must be possessed of some knowledge which he had not shared with me regarding Harry Underwood I knew the friend ship which had existed for years be- tween the two men, knew that it would take no light thing to shatter it.
 II will call Lillian after dinner" hurried to assure him. Then you can talk to her yourself
 The promise made me most uncom- fortable, however. The prospect of sum oning Lillian to the telephone to listen to Dickys raillery over her se- clusion grated upon my sense of fair play, and effectually spoiled my din- ner. But Lillian herself intervened
 We were just finishing our coffee when the telephone rang. Dicky usually answers it when We are sitting together, but he had seemed unusually tired when he reached home and he looked so comfortable in his big chair by the fire that I answered it myself.
 Lillian's voice came over the wire, husky, strained. I knew by the sound of it that something unusual had come to her.
 'Is that you Madge?" she asked, and then at my affirmative answer she said rapidly, appealingly:
 Gan you come to see me, or may I come to you the first thing tomorrow morning? Something has happened about which I must talk to you. I have no one but you, my dear"
 I could hear the break in her voice, and l hastened to give her the as- surance for which she asked.
 You know l am ready to do any, thing you wish, Lillian,'' I answered. Would you rather I would come to see you or would you prefer to come here?'' 's
 If it wouldn't inconvenience you