New Britain herald., 1917-02-24
Why Madge Feared That Dicky Was
 Still Jealous of Jack Bickett.

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 'Killed!" I repeated faintly. Jack Blckett killed! Oh, no, no, Dicky; no, no, mol"
 1 heard my own voice rise to a sort of shriel1, felt Dicky release my hands. and seize my shoulders, and then everything went black before me, and knew nothing more.
 When I came to myself 1 was lying on the couch before the fire, with my face and the front of my gown dripping with water, the strong smell of hartshorn in the room and Dicky with stern, white face, and Katie in tears lowering over me.
 Dicky was trying to force spoon i between my teeth when I opened my eyes. He promptly dropped it, and the brandy it contained trickled down my neck. I raised my hand to wipe it away, and Dicky uttered 8 low Thank God!'' "
 "Oh, she no dead, she alive again." Katie cried out, and threw herself on her knees by my side, sobbing.
 Get Up Katie, and stop that howl ing!" Dicky spoke sternly. Do you want to get my mother down here? Go upstairs at once and prepare Mrs. Grahams bed for her. I will carry her up directly. Are you all right now, Madge?"
 A Strange Fear.
 His tone was anxious, but there was a note of constraint in it which I understood even through the re- turning anguish at Dickys terrible news which was possessing me with returning consciousness.
 Ho hof fO my brother-cousin, Jack Bickett, was a deeper one than that which I had always professed, sisterly love for the only near relative I had in the world. This was the reason for his sudden passionate embrace of me when he entered the house. his de- mand that I tell him l loved him "bet ter than anybody in the world or out of it,"
 He had been jealous of Jack living, he would still be jealous of him dead! But as the realization again swept over me that Jack, steadfast, manly Jack, the only near relative I had, was no longer in the same world with me- that never again would l see his kind eyes, hear his deep, earnest voice. all thoughts of anything else but my loss fled from me. and I gave a little moan.
 "AIl Right Now?"
 I felt Dicky's arm which was around 1 my shoulders shrink away instinc- l lively, then tighten again He turned 1 my face against his shoulder, and, 1 gathering me in his arms, lifted me l from the couch.
 "Oh, Dicky, I am sure can walk" l protested faintly.
 He stopped and looked at me fixed ]
 Don't you want my arms around you?" he asked, and there was that in his voice which made me answer hastily:
 "Of course do, but I am afraid I am too heavy.'
 Let me be the judge of that he 1 returned stcrnly, and forthwith car ried me up the stairs, down the nall, and laid me on the bed in my own room. His face was flushed when he | put me down and he was breathing hard, for while I am slender I am not tiny in any sense of the world. and Dicky has not the physique which | would mako Harry Underwood. for 1 instance, consider my weight the | merest trifie But there was a look | of something very akin to triumph ; in his eyes as they met mine. Then |. he turned to Katie. i
 You may go downstairs, Katie,' he said. 'I see you have spread out 1, Mrs. Graham's night things, and I do |, not think she will need you again. !, But I would like you to remain up 1 for another hour in case she should, i, want you.''
 .I no close my eyes dis night till |! know she go sleep all right" Katie l murmured rebelliously.
 That is very good of you Katie,' 1 Dicky returned, "and I will come my self and tell you when Mrs. Graha m is asleep"
 Katie tiptoed over to me as lay