New Britain herald., 1918-08-10


 forgive me for speaking to you
 .lQe way did, but-do you realize LII your own mental attitude has been at fault? That, for instance, if Katherine had been in your place to- night I should never have dared to speak to her in the tone and manner I used to your"
 "Keep That Up."
 She was turning the knife in the wound. I realized the probe was ne- cessary, but I made up my mind that never in my life again would it be necessary for me to undergo a similar operation in mental surgery.
 1T don't think you will ever have reason to complain of that particular mental attitude again." I said dryly and at my tone Lillian laughed out right.
 That's the trick" she said approv- ingly. Keep that up and you'll find half your troubles doing the regular before -the-morning- stunt"
 Thank you," I returned, and the same lack of enthusiasm sounded in my voice.
 I knew that what Lillian. had said was perfectly justified, knew also that the affection I had for her would stand a much stronger strain than the words of caustic criticism she had given me. But the mental whipping had been too recent for me to smile sWeetly as yet upon the administrator. Yet didn't wish Lillian to think me resentful. I racked my brains to find some subject of conversation which would avert her thoughts from my personal emotions I found it ready to hand, and with it the opportunity to prove to her that I was ready to de- fend my own theories. Tell me-" I said, "why are you so sure that MT. Underwood forged that note? It surely would have been the height of stupidity for him to come there after the ruse had succeeded" "You Forget-' "How often will I have to tell you that Harry is daffy about you?' Li1- Han retorted impatiently. He was probably obliged to write the note, for no one else ever had an opportunity to get that notepaper. But he no doubt beat it over there as soon as he had done his part in order to help you in any way he could. The different agents don't know each other. you know, so he probably thought he could
  was a daredevil.'
 1 "But I tell you he was intoxicated when he came into the station, and never noticed me until I spoke to him." I persisted. Besides, when the chauffeur showed a badge and said he was a, service agent, MT. Under wood promptly displayed a similar one, and thus made the chauffeur give ! up his claim"
 What's that?" Lillian interposed sharply.
 1 I related the incident of the two badges at more length, dwelling upon 1 the evident enmity which the display ing of MT. Underwood's badge aroused 1 in the breast of the chauffeur. ! That does put different aspect upon the matter" Lillian admitted, and there was that in her voice which l told me how cruelty her own suspi cion had hurt her.
 But Madge," she went on hopeless 1 1y, mo one else could have gotten that notepaper. It was special kind, made to order, and the plates de- stroyed by the paper manufacturer, a | friend of Harry's, just to gratify 2 whim of His one Christmas to give me something unique. I always kept it in a little locked desk which had been made specially to hold it. with the key on my key ring. Harry probably had a duplicate key"
 No matter what he had" I re- turned emphatically, q don't believe he forged the note. He is bad enough, but that isn't like him. And as for there being no chance of anyone else you forget your friend, Miss Berg, the pretended nurse.
 Lillian started perceptib1y, and after a long, silent moment put her hand over mine.
 "Child,' she said T believe you're right She was clever enough to turn the trick. Of course, she didn't forge the note, she's safely behind the bars, but she could have passed the paper and her knowledge of our family on Ito someone else"
 She slipped her arm around me, drew me close to her, and I felt her cheek against my hair
 Don't brood over what I said a