The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-12-18
"sTIcks AND STONES"

Harry Underwood said: do you
smoke. Mrs. Graham? I'll bet a ten
spot that you don't, but you ought to
begin"
| Harry Underwood leaned toward me
with case OF cigarettes In his hand.
Dtcky had provided cigarettes in a
quaint antique jar, one Of the things
he had brought home from the studio
to the apartment. But Mr.. Underwood
evidently wished me to try his own
| brand.
| The question was the only thing
needed to complete my anger at this
man. had vaguely disliked him from
the first time had met him. His bold
words and manner In the afternoon
had deepened my dislike. Then when
his wife had warned me that he would
in all probability make violent love to
me, as l was new type to him, my
| feeling had become an unconquerable
| aversion.
Lillian had added that she would
| straighten him out If he annoyed me
| too much, but as looked out from my
armchair III which he had imprisoned
me by the simple expedients OF push
| ing me into and standing in front OF
1t, saw that she was still too absorb
ed in her art discussion with Mr.. Les
| ter to come to my rescue. Mrs. Les
ter, with little birdlike glances and
| chirpy giggles, was talking rapidly to
| Dicky He was listening to her with
the smile on his face which I knew
meant absorbed amusement.
For the moment l was as much
alone with Mr.. Underwood as II the
| room had been empty He saw my
! glance interpreted 1t correctly. and
bent closed to me, smiling mtsch1ev'
ously You see it is useless" he said,
answering ny unspoke, thought. you
cart get away l promised myself a
little uninterrupted conversation with
you AID l always get what / want,
always"
He beat closer to me. his eyes hold
ing nine He spoke slowly, enpaat1-
ca,.y s.:ve.ed. I felt the sudden
monetary dread Of this map had
| evpe;.e.cec IN the afternoon. Ee
laughed suddenly, with hearty mis-
! cL!ef. Scared you sti8 that time,
| did.tI =: Do you k-ow, thought the
n.eloc.s=aIc stu.s would get you. l
scored o-e You'd better light one
| Of these. CO. recommend the BRAID,
ed It's -.!g..ty .,e for the nerves"
looked laugAti!y at him, but be-
! tore cou.6 open my mouth he began
.CE1,.1g:
"Eve:5bo1ys eo.-s it. doing it, do
i1g It"
looked around NY living room.
TIE a:r IVES e..eady heavy with the
scert Of tie cigarettes. The men were
al. smoking. Lillian Gale was consum.
!rg o.e a.te. a-other, while even little
MS. Lester was toying with one. She
looked IKE little girl playing at
smoking e corn SILK cigaret
But before my guess had ever ar
rived had made my decision concern.
;-g Smoking. had smoked nay first
cigarette with o;cEy at his earnest re-
guest, ALMOST his command. But it
had been against al! my principles and
prejvG!ces. ! had done it only to
please Dicky and in the seclusion OF
cur home. Not for worlds would re-
peat the experience in the presence OF
othe. people, especially at the belest
c. man hated j.
Well" Harry Uudervood's face
still held his mockipg smile as be held
out the case toward me.
II am sorry'-I' tried to speak cou-.
teously-"but do not smoke"
II knew that But you are going to
try one with me. The combination OF
cigarette and your mouth is some.
thing ! should like to see."
His words were almost the same
as Dicky had used when he had begged
me to smoke. I had family resented