South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-11-02
WHAT MADGE INTERRUPTED IN
THE DINING ROOM OF THE
Old Inn.


10 beautifully. only a constant.
Watchful. strained look i'm her eyes
told me that she wished me any
where in the world but on her lawn
asking for special luncheon dishes.
And In her anxiety 10 appear cordial
she became ELUSIVE.
"Oh. how lucky" she exclaimed.
81 have some chickens. beauties.
ready TO 80 on the fire this instant.
They were ordered for "a lot Of peo-
pie who came in Unexpectedly a
little while agO-nOt my regular
customers understand-and III just
steal one of those for YOU. They
are pigs. anyway. il won't hurt them
to wait a little. And now what else
do YOU want? III you are so hungry,
you won't want 20 wait long. What
YOU bet now, remember just what
you like? Shall ] tell you?"
Please do" said enthusiastical-
ly. but inwardly / was coolly dissect-
ing and %appraising the little speech
she had just made.
There was a false ring 20 IL. Nine.
HOfer was "A shrewd woman with
an eve to the main chance. II wasn't
like her TO inconvenience a large
party for the benefit of one patron.
Either she was telling "A falsehood
in order to hatter me-sOmetning
which for some reason or other /
didn't believe-or she was giving me
the fowl on account of some con-
cealed motive Of her own.
A Feat of Memory.
1 had IT, She couldn't refuse to
serve me altogether for fear of
arousing suspicion, but she could
hurry my luncheon so as TO get me
away from the place as soon as pos
sible. Even as I listened TO her I
was resolving TO linger as long as 1
could over the luncheon.
You will wish" Nine. Hofer was
saying refectively-two fingers at
her forehead in a palpable attempt
to register absorbed thought-"new
potatoes from Virginia, creamed,
fresh asparagus tins. right from our
own bed, a salad of romaine. water
cress and chives. some large straw
berries with the stems, and a pot of
coffee with those little cakes-you
remember"
4 remembered perfectly" I said,
and, indeed, the menu she reCited
was "A familiar one TO me. The
dishes were especial favorites of
Dicky,s and mine. It was a more
elaborate and expensive luncheon
than I had planned but although
the dishes were all those which re-
quired little time for cooking,
could linger over so bounteous a
luncheon indefinitely.
Sharpencd Wits.
That will do splendidly." I said.
And now I'll freshen up a bit while
I'm waiting, If you don't mind"
I started toward the house as if
it were the most natural thing for
me TO lead the way. Nine. HofeI
muttered an exclamation beneath
her breath, which only suspicion
sharpened ears like mine could have
heard. The next moment she had
caught step with me, and was smil-
ing broadly, a smile that / was sure
hid anger. perhaps fear.
Il viii take you to my own bath.
room" she said c-Onfdentially
These people here today are run
ming all Over the place, and 1t will
be ~pleasanter for YOU in my owr
apartment. Just come round this
way"
She started around the side of the
house. But l affected not 10 hear
her.
How pretty the place is thi.
year," 1 exclaimed. Are the bis
hall and dining-roOm as quaint a,
ever? / must have a look at them
I really have been fairly homesicl
for the place"
/ ran lightly up the steps and in.
10 the wide hall with as good al
imitation of feminine impetuosity a.
I could muster And as 1 reached
the arched entrance into the dining
room 1 saw why Nine. Hofer haC
tried to get me 10 come around tC
the side door.
For If Va a delegation from the
fatherland sat in council it was the
party OF perhaps eight men and two
women who surrounded a large
table made up for the occasion in
the rear OF the room. They were
talking gutturally in their native
ANAAn ne 0AN Ao a NANIANA AAN " AAAN
men said something in a quick un-
d~ertone. and two or three broke in
TO careless conventional remarks
couched in perfect English.
Bottles and the remains Of a first
course showed that they were cele-
bnting some event The papers OF
the day before had chronicled a
German victory. I had no doubt
that no matter what the reason foI
their being together. they'd been
drinking 20 the success Of the leu
tonic arms. and I was also sure that
they had counted upon Nine. Hofer'S
being able TO prevent n unfriendly
person from entering the dining
room.
To make conviction sure. my eyes
t, sharpened by the stress Of the mo-
ment distinctly saw the edEe Of a
small silk German has peeping out
from the blouse Of one woman's
gown. where she had evidently
thrust il hastily when they saw me
in the grounds outside.
3 l. THERE SOMETHING FOR
, MADGE To FEAR Personal.