South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-19
THE END OF THE EVENING


picked up the hot water bag
which Lillian had dropped as she
carried the child into the other
room.
win YOU take ;Nis in 10 Mrs
Underwood? 81 may need it,"
Thank you. Won't you come
over. also, Mrs. ---" He hesitated
Graham hurried out and 1 sank in
10 a chair. overcome by events of
the evening. But for the presence
Of the foot bath Of hot water, which
Katie was even now removing, there
was nothing 10 indicate that our
little supper party had been dis
turbed. And yet death had hover
ed SO closely over the little baby
which had been rushed into our
apartment that we could almost
feel his tangible presence.
Done out, old girl ?"Dicky stood
beside me- his arm on my shoulder.
Harry Underwood was at the tele-
phone, getting the number DR.. Pet
tit had asked for.
NO. only terribly worried about
the baby"
Il know. Tough isn't it,
1t seemed a week. but it was in
reality only two hours later when
Lillian Gale appeared, heavy eyed
and, her whole appearance most
disrep1table.
THE baby?" we all asked at
once.
"Out of any immediate danger,
the doctor says. The nurse came an
hour ago, but the child had two
more of those awful things. and l
was able to help her. The mother is
no good at all, one of those emo
tional women whose idea of taking
care of a baby is to shrek over it."
Her voice held no contempt, only
a great weariness / felt a sudden
rush Of sympathetic liking for this
woman, whom l had looked upon
as an enemy.
What can I get you. Mrs. I'm
derwoOd 80 I asked. You look so
worn out"
IF Katie has not thrown out that
coffee, she returned practically,
"let us warm it up"
1 felt q foolish little thrill of
housewifely pride. A few minutes
before her appearance ! had gone
into the kitchen and made fresh cof-
fee, anticipating her return. Katie.
Of course, / had sent 10 bed after
she had cleared the table and wash
ed the silver. I had told her 10 pile
the dishes for the morning.
II have fresh coffee all ready" I
said. 81 thought perhaps you
might like a cup. Sit still. and I'll
bring it in"
Harry Underwood sprang TO his
feet. I'll carry the tray for you"
] thought ! detected a little
culver of pain on Mrs. Underwood's
face Her husband had expressed
no concern for her. but was offer
ing TO carry my tray. Truly, the
tables were turning / had suffer-
ed because Of the rumors I had
heard concerning this woman's re-
gard for Dicky. Was /, without
meaning it, TO cause her annoy
ance.2
Indeed, YOU will do no such
thing" / spoke playfully to hide
my real Indignation at the man.
'Dicky is the only accredited waiter
around this house"
card from the walters union
right in my pocket" Dicky grim
ned, and stretched lazily as he fol-
lowed me 10 the kitchen.
We served the coffee. and Lillian
and her husband went home. AS the
door closed behind them Dicky
came over to me and took me in his
arms
Pretty exciting evening. WASH
it, sweetheart" he said I'm afraid
you are all done out"
He drew me TO our chair and we
sat down together. I found my
self crying, something I almost
never do. Dicky smoothed my hair
tenderly silently, until I wiped my
eyes. Then his clasp frightened
around me.
Tonight has taught me lesson"
he said Sometimes I have dream
ed OF a little child of our own.
Madge. But I would rather never
have a child than go through the
suffering those poor devils had to-
night 1t must be awful to lose a
baby"
hid my face in his shoulder. Not
even TO my husband could / con-
Tess just then how the touch of the
naked. rigid little body OF that 9TH
er woman's child had sent a thrill
of longing through me for a baby's
hands that should he mine
\ BUSY MORNING.
Ii was almost noon when /
awoke Monday. tire day after our
little chatting dish supper.
For a moment / could not sep
arate the real events OF the night
before from the troubled dreams
which had filled the hours since II
went 10 bed. ] had dreamed OF
dead babies. terrifying dreams OF
trying 20 save dying children.
"Dicky," I called his name as
loudly as / could. To my surprise he
rose from a chair at the front OF
my bed ! had not seen him when
7 awoke.
Are YOU still bewildered ." he
asked playfully. yet with an anx-
ious look. Il was beginning 10 be
afraid YOU were going to be i'll.
You've been having Nightmares evil