South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-14
WHY DICKY SAID Il SUPPOSE I'D
BETTER TELL YOU QUICK
~ DEAR

She had managed to keep out OF
my way in clever fashion since the
scene of the day before. when on
Dicky's and my homecoming from
our mountain outing she had so saw
agely attacked me concerning the in
terest taken in me by Robert Cor
don. At Dickys suggestion I had
stayed in my room until dinner time
10 give him a chance to calm her
down" But she evidently had re-
fused to be Gained" for pleading
a convenient headache, she had her
dinner sent 20 her room, and did not
appear during the evening. When
Dicky and 1 came down to break
fast the next morning Katie resent
fully informed US that dot old vom-
ans got her breakfast already yet"
Il hate TO leave you, sweetheart,
with mother acting like this" Dicky
had whispered. as he stood at the
hall door, ready for his Walk TO the
railroad station.
Let that be the last Of your trOu-
bles." 1 had returned, with my cheek
against his. Il am going TO take q
long tramp this morning and a nap
this afternoon, so we probably shan't
get near enough to each other for a
clash"
1 had extended the tramp TO in
clude luncheon at a quaint old inn.
and my nap when / returned had
taken up most of the afternoon.
so that my mother-in-law's icily.
informal little speech was the first l
had heard from her lips since her
outbreak OF the day before. My first
impulse was to leave the room, and
then I realized that the elder wom-
an. in her stiff way, was really max
ing an overture toward me. Hers
is a nature that cannot stand soli-
tude very long. She simply must
have someone with whom she can
chat.
Giving myself a hurried warning
to keep my temper no matter how
irritating she might be, l rose from
my chair and drew her favorite
rocker closer to the fire.
you are not disturbing me in the
least" I said, pleasantly. Il was sim
ply watching the fire. Jim certainly
has outdone himself in the matter Of
logs this time"
Yes. he has" she admitted grudg-
inglv. as she came forward slowly
and took the chair I proffered her.
q only hope he doesn't set the
house ahre with such a blaze. I must
tell Richard to speak to him about
it,"
DicIxy is Strangely Jolly.
Always the pin trick, the absolute
ignoring of me as the mistress OF
the house. could not tell whether
she had deliberately done It, or
whether long usage to dominance in
a household had made her speak as
she did uncOnsciously.
/ made no reply, and for long
time we sat staring at the FIRE un-
til Dicky's entrance came as vel
come interruption.
went sedately to the door to
meet him, although I was so glad TO
see him that a dance step would
more appropriately have expressed
nv feelings. and returned his warm
kiss and greeting He kept my hands
in his as he came down 10 the fire
not even releasing it when he kissed
his mother, who still maintained the
rigid dignity with which she sur
rounded herself when displeased.
Well" Dicky said. manfully ig-
noring any hint Of unpleasantness'
this is what call comfortable,
coming home to a FIRE and welcome
like this on a dreary day
There was a note Of forced pollity
in his voice that made me look up
quickly into his eyes. AS they look
ed into mine I caught a glimpse OF
half-hidden, half-re-
vealed. something fercely somore,
which frightened me-
What has happened ] asked
myself with "a little clutch at my
heart" 10 make Dicky look at me in
this wav2" I had a longing TO take
him away where we could be alone
1 was glad when my mother-in-
law rose stiffly from her chair.
IF YOU are too much occupied.
she remarked icily, Il
will go and tell Katie that Richard
is here. and that she may serve din
ner Immediately"
What Is It. DickyF
She swept out Of the room males
ticallv. and as the door closed after
her Dicky caught me in his arms.
and clasped me so closely that I was
frightened.
Tell me YOU love me" he said
tensely, better than anybody in the
world or out Of it." His eyes were
glowing with some emotion I could
not understand. I felt my vague un-
easiness Of his first entrance deepen
into real forebOding OF something
unknown and terrible coming TO me.
why, Of course. you know that.
sweetheart" I replied. There Is no
one for me but just you, But what is
the matter; something must be the
matter"
Where did you get that idea >"
he evaded. II just wanted 10 be
sure. that's all. Wait here for me
I'll dash up and get some OF the dust
of in a jiffy before dinner"
I spent an anxious interval before
he came down. for despite his de-
mails / felt that something out OF
the ordinary must have kaDDened 10