South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-09-24
'DICKY Is ALIVE. But Is HURT
SLIGHTLY. AND NEEDS YOU,
MADGE."

Never mind, Mrs. German, I'll
answer that"
Lillian Underwood brushed down
the stairs. past me. and snatched
the receiver of the telephone from
the nerveless hands of Grace ORA
per's sister. Mrs. German.
1 sank down on the stairs and
clutched the stair rail tightly with
both hands to keep from falling
Mrs. German shrank back against
the wall as far as she could go and
threw her hands out before her as
if warding off the thing she dread
ed so much
The long, insistent peal OF the
telephone bell had come just as
Lillian and l had finished reading
the sinister letter which Grace Ora
per's sister Mrs. German, had
found underneath her pillow when
she went TO bed In it the girl babe
her sister goodby. left directions as
10 her burial and declared her in
tention OF taking the longest jour
lney OF all. with oh! such rare COM
pany.' if a question she meant 10
ask that night was answered in a
manner TO disappoint her.
Mrs. German had rushed through
the night wild with terror. 10 bring
us the letter and ask for an expla-
nation.
To Lillian and me the letter
needed no interpreter.
With the vision of Grace ORA
per's attempt TO drown me before
US. we knew that the letter, trans
lated BADLY. meant that Grace ORA
per intended 10 make one last APP
peal to Dicky. and if that failed, to
take him with her on the long death
journey she had threatened.
Even half way up the stairs
where / crouched, ! could hear
coming over the phone loud. rapid,
unintelligible words in hoarse
voice which / knew was not Dicky's.
listened breathlessly for Lii
lian's answers
Yes, yes this is Lii. Harry.
What's the matter?
Seriously?
Where are you?
Yes, we were coming. anyway.
Miss Diapers sister is here with a
letter she wrote Wen all be in on
the next train. Don't bother 10
meet us. Wei take a taxi straight
from the station"
had crept down the stairs at
the word seriously" and now stag
gering with terror caught her hand
and prevented her putting the re-
ceiver back on its hook
lis Dicky dead?" I demanded.
NO, no, child" she said, sooth-
Iingly.
Il don't believe it," I cried. mad
dened at my own fear. Call him
to the phone. Let me hear his
voice myself. then I'll believe YOU"
She took the receiver out of my
grip. put it back upon the hook
and grasped my hands firmly. hold
ing them as she would those of a
hysterical child.
See here. Madge," she said
sternly, "Dicky is very much alive,
but he is hurt slightly and needs
you We have barely time TO get
that train. Hurry and get ready"
Mrs. German snatched at her arm
las she passed.
Won't YOU Tell Me?"
Grace" she whispered hoarse-
ny.
she is alive" Lillian said. grave
NY. "but I cannot give YOU any more
news than that The only thing
for us 10 do is 10 get TO them"
Please phone for that taxi. Mrs.
IGorman Get one from Crest Haven.
Wen take the train there. as it
win attract less notice there than
going from Marvin"
The woman went obediently 20
the telephone and Lillian rushed
up the stairs after me. Katie was
standing shivering in the hall above.
Katie" Mrs. Underwood's tone
was crisp. commanding. do you
want TO be left all alone in this
house o"
ooh. no. no Katie walled
Then YOU dress yourself faster
than YOU ever did before in your
life" Lillian went on in staccato
tones Throw a few things in a
little bag. for YOU Will probably be
gone "a day or two. Then lock up
Ian over the house. see TO your re-
frigerator. your stove and your
lights. so tha- we can close the
house safely for a couple OF days,
and then come to Mrs Graham =
room and help her if she needs it.
Hurry now"
Katie dashed down the hall. ter
ror of being left alone evidently
lending wings 10 her feet
Can YOU dress yourself without
me. Madge?" Lillian asked tender
ly. II must dress, too. YOU know.
hut I will come 70 YOU as soon as
I get into something.
As YOU dress. throw the things
out on the bed that YOU think you
and Dicky will need for a couple OF
days stay with me. Will pack
them. Put in some changes of pa
jamas for Dicky. his tooth brush
and shaving things"
Won't YOU tell me-" I began.
. then stopped as Lillian made an
impatient gesture.
There's the Taxi Now"
We haven't time" she said "All
7 know is that Grace Draper is
hurt seriously and Dicky slightly.