South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-09-19
WHY GRACE DRAPER ACCEPTED
MRS. UNDERWOOD'S TERMS"
DEFTANTLY.

II
and Lillian Underwood faced each
other in our imF~ovised bathing
ten:. waiting for the girls answer TO
LiIlians ultimatum.
During our desert island" picnic
Grace Draper. Dicky's beautiful
model. whose infatuauon for him
had made my summer most miser-
able. had overheard an impatient
/ remark of Dickys concerning her,
which evidently had driven her 20
| desperation.
( Later she and I had gone far out
/ i'm the surf together where she had
I performed many spectacular feats,
repeatedly swimming around under
/ water.
During one Of these disappear
| ances of hers I had felt savage
clutch at my foot dragging me
down into the waves. and had near
/ ~ drowned in consequence.
Neither Lillian. who had watched
US from snort. nor I had any doubt
/ that the girl had intended 10 cause
my death That, whether from re-
! morse or fright, she had saved me
| afterward did not matter 10 Lillian.
/ She seized upon the opportunity for
ever 10 separate the girl from Dicky.
Summoning her 10 the improvised
( tent where ! lay weak from my ex-
| perience. she had bluntly given the
girl her choice Of accepting Harry
UndeTwood's offer Of a theatrical en-
gagement and forever leaving
( Dicky's life, or having Lillian sum-
mon the other meub ers of the party
/ and tell them of what she had
I learned.
The girl stood with bent head for
| long minute as Lillian fared out
/ her ultimatum: Take this offer or
I taKe the consequences" then she
lifted il and looked steadily into
/ Mrs Underwood's eyes.
/ Remember. l admit nothing" she
/ said dehantly, but. of course, 7 sc-
cept your offer. There is nothing
| else for me to do in the face of the
very ingenious story which you two
have concocted between you"
She turned and walked steadily
out Of the tent
Her words, the blaze in her eyes,
the very motion of her body, was
magnificenUy insolent
she's a wonder" Lillian admit
/ ted. drawing a deep breath. as the
! girl vanished "I~didn't think she
had bravado enough TO bluff it out
\ like that"
Madge Takes a Nap.
And now. my dear Lii spoke
briskIy. 'just lean your head against
| my shoulder. shut your eyes, and
try 10 rest for. a little: I know that
sand with rain coat covering
doesn't make the most comfortable
couch in the world, but I think I
can hold YOU so that you may be
able 90 take tiny nap"
Against my feeble protest, which
she absolutely disregarded. she sat
down on the sand by my side, and,
putting her arms around me, Graded
me as If had been a child.
| Obediently I shut my eyes and
pretended 10 sleep in order TO please
her The quiet, the warmth, the
protection of her arms did indeed
soothe me. so that my nerves Quoted
into their normal state, and / felt
my strength returning again. But
7 was too excited and happy 20
sleep.
Dicky's face. his voice his kiss
when I first recovered consciousness
were wildly before me. I longed
for the day to be over. for the guests
10 be gone I wanted Dicky all 90
myself as I had had him in the days
before Grace Draper had done so
much 20 break up our home.
1t was Dicky himself who broke
i'm upon these musings. He parted
the sail cloth. looked in cautiously.
and said in "a stage whisper.
Us she asleep
Before Lillian could answer 7
! opened my eyes and smiled ioyously
at my husband.
Not now. Dicky," 7 said cheer
lily. OF have had wonderful rest.
thanks 20 Lillian. I am feeling about
myself again
Ready for me 10 carry you out?''
plcky asked. You should see the
throne Harry has fixed up for you"
"Oh, I think ] can walk" 7 re-
piled br3vely. raising myself on my
elbow and attempting To stand on
my feet But Lillian held me firm
~. and Dicky strobe over and lifted
me i'm his arms
"How dare YOU try 20 stand up2'
ne demanded with fierce tenderness
you're weak as cat yet Just re-
member. I'm your boss for the rest
of the day. young lady. Don't YOU
care 10 move unless 1 give YOU per-
mission
How Kindness Was Rebuffed.
He lifted me i'm his arms and car
/ lied me out 20 the sand piles where
the rest were gathered about the
c'ambake His breath was coming
rather unevenly. and little beads OF
] Ierspiration stood on his forehead
when he finally put me down on a
neap of cushions from the motor
coat. which Mr. Underwood had ar
rtreed In "a most comfortable rest
ing place. But his face was radiant
and the look he bent upon me told
me as nothing else could that my
weight had been a precious burden