New Britain herald., 1918-02-22
Is LiiEans Message in Reply to
 Madge's Plea or Real Danger'


 The ringing of the telephone bell greeted me as I came sorroWtully out of my mpther-in-laWs s room. l knew that the message probably was from Lilfian-she had had just about time to arrange the pretext for, my presence for which I had asked her. I hastened my footsteps, but Cousin Agatha was before me, and l saw distinct suspicion in her malicious eyes as she turned to me, still holding the receiver to her ear.
 Mrs. Underwood wishes to speak to you," she said and only when 1 held out my hand for the receiver, did she reluctantly relnquish it.
 "Oh, Mad gel" Lllans voice came over the wire, husky, raucous. Can you come in to the house as soon as you can, prepared to spend a day or two? There has been an acci- dent--I haven't time to tell you about it--but how soon can you get here?"
 T can take the next train" I as sured her. 'I am terribly sorry, Lil- lian."
 T know-good-by," she said hur- riedly, and l heard the click of her receiver.
 Once again there came to me the realization of Li1lian's capabiMty in meeting any emergency. I had hard work assuring myself that her urgent summons was only pretext, an an swer to my appeal of a few minutes earlier, so convincing had been her words and manner.
 As I turned away from the phone my eyes encountered those of Cousin Agatha, who had stood almost at my elbow during my brief conversa- ton with Lillian. Her face wore its meekest expression, one which always flashes a danger signal to my sub consciousness. !,
 Nadge Breaks the News.
 T hope there's nothing wrong with your friend. Margaret" she said, "But of course something terrible must have happened to necessitate your going to her so quickly. Is there anything I can do to help you?
 Malicious suspicion underlay every intonation of her voice, every glance of her eyes. I answered her coldly, incisive1y:
 Nothing thank you. And I don't imagine anything very terrible has happened. Mrs. Underwood simply said an accident. By the way, Moth CT Graham asked me to send you to her"
 Her face flushed. The malice in her eyes deepened
 Aren't you afraid your husband will object to your rushing away from home like this in his absence to stay all night--you will have to stay, won't your"
 ''r shall probably stay two or three days" I returned And don't think you need to worry about Dicl1y. Mrs. Underwood was his friend long before she was mine He and I are both in debted to her for a thousand kind nesses He would be very angry, censure me strongly, if I refused to go to her aid. And now, if you will let me pass, please. I must get ready to go''
 She stepped aside-she had liter ally been blocking my way to the door-but made one more attempt to delay me.
 ''Do you wish to give me any mes l sage for Richard or his mother? {: she asked in saccharine tones.
 I had a swift vision Of DiclIN com : ing home from his lonely walk to be : greeted by the distorted message I . knew this woman would give him.
 "You're very kind," I said, With ] irony, but I must not ! trouble you. I shall leave a note for i Richard with Katie, and I will say l good-by to Mother Grah9 m myself now, if you will kindly wait a mo- ! mcnt before going to her"