South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-15


were progressing with US. Il must
speak 10 him directly
Jim is over at the other house
with a load of furniture" I return
ed composedly. Hell be back
here shortly for the last load of
kitchen things. but he will hardly
have time 70 call you UP, for it's
getting near noon. and I have no
desire to be here at that time, you
know"
Dicky evidently knew 10 what l
referred. the ultimatum Of our dis
agreea BILE landlord, Mr.. Brennan,
that the last one of our possessions
must be out OF his gate by the
stroke Of noon. He knew, also. that
it was his own cavalier treatment
of Mr.. Brennan that had infurated
the man, but the knowledge didn't
make his voice or manner any less
acrid as he answered:
We'll. it's up TO you 10 be out Of
there at noon, that's all. Where
that other idiot that William Trum-
bull?"
Right here" Ny own voice was
none too sweet His manner irri-
tated me and had still before my
eyes the photograph of Grace
Draper which I had just discovered
in the box William Trumbull had
found pushed back behind the raft
ers in the attic
Tell him TO come TO the phone
then. He'll have TO do"
How William Answered.
A sudden light broke upon me
Needless Dicky had just remember
ed the box with its contents Of let
ters photographs and mementos of
Grace Draper and other feminine
friends. which he had put behind
the rafters for safe keeping. 1t was
box ne did not wish me 10 see
and it was out OF the question for
him TO leave it 10 the casual in
quisitivenesS Of the Brennan fam
lily. And if it were not away from
the Brennan home before noon he
wouldn't be able TO get II. Dicky
was in a dilemma perplexing in
deed With a sudden malicious lit
tie impulse L spoke sweetly over the
phone:
Couldn't I attend to anything
you want done. Dicky? You know
how erratic our Caliban is"
knew William wouldn't under
stand my allusion, so felt safe in
making IL. Dicky's voice was en-
barrassed as he answered:
NO, it's something you wouldn't
understand. Only a man could do
it. Let me have William. please,
and will YOU ask Katie whether she
got my shirts from the laundry"
1t was upon my lips TO say: Yes.
understand only too WE'LL" but
smothered IL, sent William to the
telephone. and started in search Of
Katie, although I knew the message
was only a subterfuge 10 get me
away from the telephone. AS went
I heard williams voice in earnest
reinsurance:
"Oh, yes, I got that box. 1 hunt
ed all over behind everything 10 see
nothin was left behind No sir.
don't think nobody teched IT, It's
right here, an I'm goin' 10 put il on
the push cart the fus thing All
right. I'll put it away where no
body'll disturb it, It'll be safe with
me. Mr.. Gramie."
Evidently Dicky's relief at find
ing the box had been undisturbed
was so great he forgot all about the
message he had given me. At any
rate. when I returned from the
kitchen, where Katie was busily do
ing the last things" I found the
receiver replaced on the hook, and
William standing beside it like a
sentinel.
81 know now what was in that
box I found behind the rafters.
Miss Gramie," he said proudly. MIR.
Gramie. he said he had some draw
ings in it ne wouldn't lose for any
thing. Gee, I'm glad I found il for
him."
! smiled wanly at the old fellows
prize. and then bitterly at Dicky's
complacent pulling the wool over
my eyes.
Katie's Wall.
So there were only drawings in
the box he had secreted with such
care, Well. so far as I was cor
cerned. drawings" they should be.
certainly never should let Dicky
know that had opened the box
and had found among other things
the recent photograph Of Grace ORA
per which showed he must have
heard from her within a very short
time.
But the presence Of the girls
photograph among my husbands
belongings made me certain that the
premonition I had had OF coming
trouble was no idle one. ! had a
sudden longing for Lillian's counsel.
and resolved that the minute | had
things in their places in my new
home ] would hy 10 the friend who
had never vet failed me.
4 crash from the kitchen. a shrtll
cry from Katie brought me out OF
my reflections with a jump. I heard
her swift feet running from the
kitchen. and then she burts in upon
ne with a vail:
oh. Missis Graham, dot Meest CT
Brennan ne in de kitchen. and he
ioost raisino vun awful storm"