South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-25
II y OF WORRY.

way
Nothing Of any consequence,
1 interrupted desperately.
"Oh, yes, l see. nothing OF any
consequence" ne replied meaning
~. His eyes We're hxed or my un-
gloved left hand, which showed
only too plainly the absence of my
rings.
but don't worry" ne continued.
Your Uncle Dudley is first cousin
to an oyster. Wish you luck. So
long. and lifting his hat he strolled
on up the avenue.
Jack was consulting his note book.
/ heard him give the address of my
apartment 20 the driver.
Drive slowly" he added. who
was that MANI" he demanded stern
ly. He is no one you ought to
know"
4 know. Jack" I said family. 81
dislike him. I even dread him, but
ne and his wife are old friends OF
Dicky's and / cannot avoid meeting
him."
some day." Jack returned. Il don't
like him. but there is nothing l can
do to help you. I've messed things
up enough now"
What shall l do. Jack?" I walled.
All my Wanted self-reliance was
gone. l felt like the most helpless
~clinging vine in the world.
Were going straight to your
home TO see your husband" he said.
You will introduce me to him, and
then leave US, I shall explain
everything TO him"
"Oh. Jack" 1 said. terrified. che
has such an uncertain temper, and,
besides. he isn't at home. He was
to take dinner at the UnderwoOds
at 2 o'clock. 1t must be that now.
1 think Mr.. Underwood was just
going home to dinner"
well, we must go there. then"
returned Jack. Put on your gloves.
then the absence Of the rings won't
be noticed until I have a chance TO
explain about them"
1 picked up the gloves and un-
folded them. Something glittering
rolled out of them and dropped into
my lap.
ooh, Jack. my rings!" 1 fairly
shrieked. The for the first time in
my life I became hysterical, laugh
ing and sobbing uncontrollably.
Jacks Goodbye.
Margaret, stop this Immediately.
Stop it. 1 say"
Jack took me by the shoulders
ard shook me, none too gently.
1 did not blame him, for his rough
ness was Just what 1 needed TO
bring me out Of my fit OF hysteria.
The joy of finding my wedding
and engagement rings after the
shock of losing them, the realization
that I need not tell Dicky about
their loss, had made me hysterical
for the first time in my life.
My sobs and peals of laughter
gradually subsidized. I saw Jack take
up the speaking tube.
Drive on about a mile past that
address 1 gave you, then turn
around and come back" he said to
the driver.
He did not speak again to me
until I was perfectly quiet. Then he
said in a perfectly commonplace
tone:
Are you sure there will be no
body at your apartment to notice
your appearance"
NO. nobody" L answered. "Dicky
has gone to Mrs. U~nderwood's for
dinner, and I gave the maid the day
off because we were going to dine
out. Why"
Because Their il will not be nee
essary for me to go in with you.
Will you do exactly as 1 tell you p"
Dimly ] realized that in very
truth. as he himself would express
it, my big brother Jack. was strict
~ on the job" Of taking care Of me.
Jacks Unselfsh Plan.
"Of course. Jack" ! said docilely.
When do they expect you at Mrs.
UnderwOOd's?"
They don't really expect me at
all. ] told them if I finished dinner
with you in time I would telephone
them. But. Jack. I can't see them.
1 can't see anybody"
Eyes. YOU can Jacks tone was
FIRM. You must. When we reach
your home battle your face and lie
for "a few moments. When
YOU have calmed down a little tele-
phone these people and go directly
TO them. They won't expect you 10
eat much dinner. knowing YOU have
just dined. hut YOU will be there
with your husband and his friends,
a bride should be-
He smiled sadly as he finished. I
felt a lump come into my throat.
How good he was. this brother
cousin of mine. putting aside hls
own suffering to plan for me,
But. Jack 7 protested. when
Mr.. Underwood saw me in the taxi
he assumed that I was going 10 his
home. and asked me TO give him a
lift. In order 20 get rid Of him 1
told him that 7 had a dinner en-
gagement with you. letting him
think that the dinner was vet 10
come"
THAT makes no difference" Jack
spoke sharply. 90 course he knew
when lac heard me speak Of not be-
ing able 10 find the rings that YOU
had told Kim a falsehood about the
dinner. That is all the more reason
why YOU should hurry over there.
T. don't believe he will say anything.
I.v~o--o~ Il God hin, c,~~ootr,-