New Britain herald., 1919-07-03
forth to meet and conquer the drag agoness.' What Lillian Told Madge About "the
 TIady,"

Lillian's assurance that We were going 10 her home before meeting the woman, the sight of whom 1 so dreau- cd, gave me back my polse' Saoly shaken by my fevered lmaslnatloh during my journey to the city. l sahk back in the corner of the ta1lcap Nl1h very much the feeling of a condemned prisoner granted a reprieNe at the eleventh hour.
 My friend made no further comment upon my attitude toward the business in hand, but with her usual acumeh went on talking briskly about every thing and nothing during the rlde home, indeed, until we were safeN within her wonderful ebrovn-toned H. brary. There ], sha med out of my covardice, interrupted her.
 II am perfectly all right now. | said ready to face anything. Please tell me all you've been doing.'
 "I haven't been doing very much, she replied, but what some faithful old handymen of mine have been ac- complishing is a plenty-and then some They've not only located the dame-some little job in itself. lady, when you consider the data We had to go on"--
 1T know" acknowledged with em phasis, as Lillian paused for an in stant.
 But they've secured her general record for the last twenty years,' Lillian went on, and it's sure one pjppin If anybody's hunting for a competent lady crook, with the clever ness of her Satonic master oozing from every pore, I'd advise that party to camp on her staircase. Shes bird, Madge, and the reason it's taken me so long to land her is because I had to have everything framed up 10 the la st detail for her. But I don't think we've overlooked a single bet Why, we've even got records and photo- graphs of the last checks your father gave her.
 "Oh it's a beautiful case and the peachiest. part of it is that she doesn't dream but what shes perfectly safe. Your poor father isn't the only game she's working, but by the time I get through with her tonight she'll be glad shes drawing her breath" You'll Do."'J
 Lillian set her teeth together with a vindictive little click that told me the baffling of. the evil woman who had ruined my \mother's life and was now causing my father and me so much anxiety whs the source of spe- cial gra tifica ton ato her. I knew that her interest was solely on my account, felt a rush of loving gratitude to this friend who never failed me.
 II wish I could ever do anythin g for you, Li1lia1S" I said wistfuly.
 Do you wasat me to throw some thing at vour head?" she retorted. Eve a nohsn to try it anyWaH'- m medita atively-2"it might knock a little sense into you. Do som ething for me, forsooth, If you edont know, you ought to, that you're the only safety valve I have. either foT joy or for sorrow. Just let me tell you som ething, you're the only persunN who has ever seen me cry. That means som ething to mo, I can tell you. Io, no, my dear, the debts on my sidss not yours. You're always doing som ething for me-" "Well," I impu1sively said the first thing that came into my mind, If I can square my maay debts to you by being an animated asob pillow, count on me dearest, always"
 Lillian threw bach her head and laughed-the first real rerriment had heard from hef lips in many weary weeks.
 "Youll do," she said "I knew you'd conquer those nerves of yours And now, come down to my bedroom , and brink up a bit. Were going tc 1 have a guest for dinner tonight-we 1 don't have to start for g,1y lady's abode l before 9 o'clock, so we'll have time tc 1 enjoy one of Betty's dinners-I thinj she's fixing up something especial fo your health.' \
 But I'm not fit to see guests. Lii liam" I faltered. "Thbs is the sam rig I've been teaching iA all day.
 Your suits all rightfA Lillian locke, me over critically. 'Tn lend yo, 1 some fresh under friliss, and when
 knew the guest was coming I took tn
 liberty of buying a new fblouse for you and al ! Ga give e'i it to Somebody else. But won't hurt you to wear it one even l ing"
 An Unnamed GueSt-f
 We had reached her bedroom as sh
 finished, and she Nindicated an eS quisite embroidered lcrepe blouse ly
 ing upon the bed. ksavas of the shad
 of blue most becorhing to me an
 harmonized with the golor of my sui
 It was royal gift, aJad from anyon
 else I could not have Accepted it. Bu
 I said to myself vhinlsically, that n
 one else except Lillian iwould have ot
 fered it and I knew her generou
 heart would be wounded if I didn take 1t.
 "You1l take if bacl4 only over n,
 dead body" I said, hugging her warn
 ly. Its simply perfect! But who 1 h. la,kA1, iS tc