South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-24
HOW MADGE TOLD DICKY THE
NEWS.

picked up the newspaper, reao
the headlines without in the least
knowing what they were, and threw
II down YEARLY.
a book and a magazine shared the
same fate. i had made Dicky angry
by giving up a delightful country
trip with him for the sake of keep
ing a business appointment with
Mrs. Helen Brainerd Smith, presi-
dent OF the Lotus Study CLUB After
ne had left me angrily for long
walk. Mrs. smith had called me up
and airily asked TO postpone the APP
pointment because the day set was
the one for the coming Of her mas
seUse.
40 wonder ] could not settle my
self 10 read. Hot, angry tears came
20 my eyes as 1 remembered my day,
such an annoying one. The woman
in the apartment opposite had an
gered me by her insolence and in
gratitude in the morning, Harry I'm
derwood had annoyed me by fore
ing his presence upon me while /
was riding on the stage. and now
this unpleasant experience had come.
How / lOnged for the country out
ing which Dicky had proposed! If 1
only knew where Dicky was, / told
myself I would eat any amount of
humble pie in the hope that we
might 90 after ALL But ne had said
ne would be late and 1 knew that If
he did not go 20 bed before mid
night there would ne no use plan
ming any outing Dicky, like most
men. is cross If ne !s sleepy. and 20
20 on the proposed trip would mean
arising early the next morning.
No. there was no use wasting re-
grets The outing was gone. / set
tied myself again i'm my chair and
picking up a book determined 20
read and forget my troubles. The
door bell rams before / had finished
the first page.
j knew Katie was busy i'm the kit
chen, so / opened il myself. The
man and the woman from the apart
ment opposite stood i'm the hall, both
in evening attire.
The woman's face flushed as she
met my astonished gaze. I was glad
she had the grace 10 be ashamed of
herself. she knew that i must have
overheard her drawing comment TO
her maid i'm the morning, when L
had called at the door 10 inquire
about her baby.
1--WE want 10 thank YOU for all
YOU did for the baby last night" the
man said. i'm rapid. embarrassed fash
ion. Believe me, we are deeply
grateful"
no thanks are necessary" i re-
turned stifly for the memory of
his wife's attitude of the morning
rankled. THE baby was brought 70
us in a convulsion. We simply did
the best we could for il. as we
would have done for any child in a
similar emergency. ] am glad 10
see that il must be fully recovered
or YOU would not be leaving it,"
I could not resist that malicious
little fling. 1 owed them something
for the wife's discourtesy. Besides.
was repealed by the callousness of
these parents i'm leaving for an
evenings pleasure "a baby who had
been so near death the night be-
fore
"Oh. the baby is much better the
physician says The man wiped
his forehead nervously as he spoke
The trained nurse is still there. and
she has our telephone number"
"Our engagement is one we could
hardly break" drawled his wife.
speaking for the first time OF am
sure the baby will be all right.
am sorry I did not see you this
morning"
There was no possible reason for
Your doing So I returned. with my
voice as frigid as ] could make it.
"I had no intention of disturbing
you L simply wished To inquire aft
er the baby. The maid could have
told me. and when she left the door
went away for 7 was in hurry"
Not for worlds would / have ac-
l,nowledged 10 this woman that I
had heard her rored words 10 the
maid-"Oh the woman from across
The hall ] SUI pose I shall have 20
see her" and had rushed away on
thar account
"I think the machine is here"
The woman turned 20 her husband.
knew she was not anxious 10 pro-
long the interview.
Yes we must go. the man said
You viii understand that we are
very grateful for all your kindness.
He lifted his hat and bowed cere-
moniously.
Thank YOU I said. perfInctorily.
Good night and closed the door
upon them
Thank goodness that incident was
closed / felt that I never wished
TO see either of them again To nay
personal grievance against the wom-
ans discourtesy was added the re-
puEnance felt 20 father and
mother who could go 90 any social
affair while their baby was in such
danger.
sat down again 90 my booh. bat
the picture OF the sick baby with no
mother near IL stayed before my
eyes. III ever baby came 10 me.
told myself fercely, 7 would no,
leave il iI. no matter how pressing
the engagement was.
resolved 10 wait FOR DichN even