South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-10-19
WHY MADGE FERVENTLY En-
CLAIMED THANK GOODNESS
FOR MY LAW"

need a trunk"
/ hardly knew what Z was say
ing Dicky's announcement OF his
coming trip. so closely following
Cousin Agatha's malicious herald
ing Of the same news. had played
havoc with my nevre centers.
seemed unable TO coordinate my
thoughts. and therefore asked the
first questions that came into my
head.
There was the same odd hesita-
tion in Dicky's manner that ] had
noticed before.
NO. 1 don't think so" he said.
AT any rate, I'm not going TO take
one"
I had hard work to repress my
establishment. Fastidious Dicky, on
a trip of several weeks and living
in a suitcase, II didn't fit any pre-
conceived idea ] had ever had Of my
husband. But I was rapidly regain
ing my poise, and / knew better
than TO express my surprise.
Well. your suitcase is an i'm
mense thing" / commenced care
lessiy. And now, I'll look up your
things. You want them in your
room. L suppose"
Mo-" He seemed undecided
for moment, then spoke with sud-
den determination. I'm going TO
be fearfully busy with some work
in my room. I'll just put a couple
OF chairs outside my door. and YOU
can pile the things on them. Then.
whenever / want them. / can get
them
couldn't keep back one ques-
ton
When do YOU start?"
Il Hope You Can"
"Tomorrw night" Dicky reioined.
But I shall have TO spend a good
part Of tomorrow in the city, so
want to get everything packed to-
night"
lie stretched his arms above his
head in "A Characteristic gesture one
l have often seen him use when
very tired or puzzled
Gee. it's peach Of a night he
said, shifting appreciatetively at the
spring odors Going to sit out
here again p"
There was. or I fancied there was
a certain wistfulncss in his manner
Ny heart leaped, but l made my
voice casual
Indeed [ am. It's too lovely an
evening TO spend indoors. I'm COM
ing back here just as soon as I see
TO your things. But that won't be
very soon. / am afraid. They may
not be quite dry. But don't YOU
worry. I'll have them all ready"
Don't bother too much" Dicky's
lone had lost all the irritation that
had characterized his first request
for his clothing. "And-if I get the
time ] may come down here myself
again"
Il hope you can" I returned cor
daily 1t was on the Up of my
tongue TO tell him 1 would>~>vait for
him, no matter how late the hour
but I was too fearful of spelling
things. II wouldn't be unlike Dicky
TO declare that he had changed his
mind, and that it was absurd for
me 10 think of waiting up for him.
Wait for Him.
realize that no matte now angry he
might have been at me, or what
suspicious might have been aroused
against me ne was unwilling TO 20
away for several weeks without at
least an hour or two Of our old time
comradeship.
Wait for him." I exclaimed to
myself. as he left the veranda.
Would I not indeed"
Ny heart thrilled as ] set about
the homely task Of gathering to-
gether the clothing for which he'd
asked I put aside from me reso-
lutely all the disparaging thoughts
7 had cherished against my nus
| band Time enough for the inevita-
BILE Judgment of his apparent lack
of patriotism, which ! knew must
( come back TO me He was going
away for weeks and he evidently
meant that his farewell 10 me
/ should not he Swallowed by his dis
/ pleasure. Neither would I spoil it
! by even the ghost of disapproval.
knew whom I had to thank for
Dicky's change of mood. He had
Z UtFH Viii Ills nAOAAEl tNtA clAlN e
/ dinner. and the news which Cousin
( Agatha had overheard and had
/ had brought 10 me I was as sure
/ that he had also unfolded to her his
real or fancied grievances against
me as if I also had been an caves
4 dropper outside my mOther-in-laws
/ door.
How I blessed Lillian's decision
70 allow me to confide 10 my
mother-in-law the fact that 1 was
! working for the service, X had
. given her the key TO my absences
I from home. IL had made her an en-
I thusiastic ally Of mine. instead Of q
/ prejudiced critic. and best of all
| il had enabled her 10 soften DiclIy':
rancOr against me. I. of course
I was sure that she hadn't betrayed
! my connection with the service e
! him, but with her great influence
. over her son. she had evidently
been able 10 allay his suspicion.
! anger.
With whimsical smile az the
thouChJ OF how far such a senti
mert would have been from my lip.
! year ago. I murmured ferventl,
as busted myself with Dicky.
clothing.
Thank goodness for my mother