South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-09-03
Is bios REALLY LEAIoUs2

rad j dropped Domo shell into
me middle of the dinner table
around which the Underwoods, Grace
Draper. Dicky and I were gathered
do not think IL would have caused
mere sstonishment than old the
little quota ton ] mad recklessly cast
ar Harry Underwood In returning
his raillery.
The sight OF Grace Draper and ny
husband in intimate. Iow-toned con
versation. coupled with the knowl-
edge Of Dicky's undue interest in the
girl. had msddened me. Al just that
psychological moment Harry Under
wood had uttered some nonsense
about being my partner IN manufac-
turing a steamed clam dressing l
had concocted. and ] had responded
audsciously in the refrain Of popu-
lar song. To the end of the world
witt you"
suppose in my excitement
must have pitched my voice higher
and louder than is usual with me.
Al any rate ] vas terrified at the
NOniA OA INV wv TT huANEt % NTNAAAN''t
10 my Imagination "a if ! had blows
a trumpet and the sound had para
lived the diners
Dtckv turned around As II he had
been shot and stared open-mouthed
q me
Miss Draper was mildly astonished
and fancied there was a bit Of
malice in the wondering look she
bestowed upon me.
Iilians eyes twinkled with an ap-
proving amusement that resssured
me Only her husband presented an
absolutely unmoved exterior. al
though ] knew that really ne was the
most astonished of any one at the
dinner table
That's a bargain he said gayly,
"remem Der / have your pr-r-omise.
The words were light enough. the
expression on his face was one Of
careless bantering but ] mad an un-
comforta ble little feeling that behind
the badinage lurked an indefnaole
sinister something which / always
felt menacing me when in this man :
presence. ] regretted the mad i'm
pulse that mad given birth TO the
rash words ] had uttered
Dicky is Puzzled.
But Dicky's attitude during the
rest Of the dinner made me wonder
IT, perhaps. had no; struck the
right way Of dealing with MIN after
all He was plainly puzzled
have always been quiet and re-
served. and have guarded by own
dignity closely. He had heard me
express my dislike Of Harry Under
wood. and must have guessed my
resentment of the mans burlesqued
air Of devotion 20 me. 80 that the
sound of my voice in bit Of vulgar
repartee addressed 70 ms friend
must have startled him.
OF course. ne took no open notice
OF the incident. but there was no
more absorption i'm Miss Diapers
fascinations. Seated between her
and Lillian Underwood ne divided
his remarks and attentions impair
TALLY between them for the rest Of
the meal Every little while he cast
furtiVe glance IN my direction.
which would have greatly amused
me II the receipt OF it had not meant
So much 70 me emotionally.
The sight 81 his puzzled uneasiness
was like 2 heavy draught 10 me
Surely. 7 reasoned 20 myself. my ugly
little forebodings concerning Harry
Underwood proba bic future con
duct were TOO ridiculous for consid-
GRAFTON
] knew that was not hurting Lii
lsn's feelings by eucoura ging her
understood the matter-of- reia-
tlons between he Underwoods.
Besides. knew that Lillian would
approve any action or mine calcu-
lated ~ distract Dickvs attention
from his beautiful model
made no further reckless speech
es. hut ] purposely made my man
rer toward Harry Underwood more
friendly than I had ever done be
fore
The way In which he responded 20
my unwonted friendhness treasured
me He was deferential. attentive
7 had the feeling that there was no
word or look OF mine that escaped
him. vet there was no hint OF thc
unwelcome admiration which had
married my other talks with him.
] told myself that my ina gination
had led me wildly astray in my CON
ception Of the man There proba bly
was nothing sinister Al all beneath
the surface of the exaggerated bur-
lesque with which he was wont %
Earnish his conversation.
What Harry said.
BY the time the dinner was over
and We had adjourned 10 the living
room for our after-dinner coffee. 7
felt that had misiudged Harry
Underwood woefullv. that ne was in
reality a charming and wholly harm
less acquaintance
He escorted me 70 bra easv
chair drew another one near IL. and
settled down as IL ne meant 10 he q
fixture there for the rest OF the eve
ming
We had barely 6ni-aed our
conee. however. before ~icky at
tempted 10 break up this little ar
yangement
Here, Tommy Tucker. YOU must
Gins for ,-oftr uttnDar -a o. -,o,t,,o5