South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-16


five minutes that seemed as many
hours. Lillian paced swiftly up and
down the room. II is a habit of
hers whenever she is undergoing
mental distress. or when she has
some problem Of her work to un-
ravel
When at last she laid her hands
upon my shoulder I knew from the
tenseneses Of her group that she had
at last come 10 some decision con
corning the confidence she meant tc
make TO me.
az have a letter from Harry 10
show YOU" she said. ana 7 saw the
pages tremble in her hand. There
are things in it which will pain you.
but ] feel as If I must have your
counsel. I have lost all my perspec-
tive, I'm afraid, and I dare not trust
my own judgment"
There are things in it which will
pain you. I repeated the words ST
lently TO myself And Dicky had
said Make allowances If you can"
when he found out that Lillian had
sent for me.
What was there in this letter of
Harry Underwood's that concerned
me?
We'll, old dear" Harry Under
woods letter to his wife began
abruptly. and in the nippant words
could visualize the handsome.
sneering face of the man who had
caused me SO many moments un-
easiness by his extravaganza of
speech and action toward me.
The time has come" the page
ran on, 'as our gifted old friend the
walrus so aptly remarked, ito talk
Of many things and persistent
among the other perplexing prob
lems-I hope you get that allitera-
tive touch. my dear-is what we are
TO do with our little marital mix
up?
you doubtless remember that
when we legally jumped over the
broom-stick hundred years or so
back we agreed that if the time
came when one Of us wished to
break off the handouts the other
wouldn't object. / suppose it would
he more courteous Of me 10 wait un-
til YOU gave the signal-vou have
shown signs lately OF being bit res
tive-but there are reasons which Il
will unfold to you later why I
should at this juncture ask you for
my freedom Isn't that the way
they say il? 1t will also be a good
line for the divorce court. Am I
not thoughtful TO plan everything
out for you?"
My eyes were hot with anger as !
raised them 10 Lillian's. she met
my gaze calmly, but | could see past
the mask to the tortured depths of
her eyes, and knew that she was
suffering keenly
Pleasant epistle. isn't it?'' she
queried quietly But go on. You
haven't skinned all the cream off it
vet"
I resumed the reading with an in
ward protest.
II may be permitted 10 recall TO
your mind. trust, that neither one
OF us had any youthful ideals to be
shattered when we hit the hike to-
gether. And both our regulations
] Will not say our characters. for
those. OF course. my dear Lii. are of
very high order-needed white
washing badly. Oh, OF course,
babes unborn were guilty beside
either OF us. but you must confess
that my connection with that un-
fortunate deal. and Morton's di-
vorce suit against YOU rather brand
ed us as black sheep.
The Fascinating Draper.
81 have but one complaint OF the
years we have spent together. and
that is the fact that in the fast few
months YOU appear to have forgotten
all about our tacit agreement 10 be-
gin life together again. putting away
from US all former entanglements.
We have suited each other very we'll
jog-trotted along together decorous-
~. and l shall always remember You
as a good old scout.
But when YOU transformed your
self into an old woman because OF
some fool idea that a lady decked
with cosmetics was not a Mt COM
panion for child. and decided TO
bring your daughter home. 7 saw the
end for me. I have no taste for the
Victorian female early. mid or late.
and I loathe children.
SO I take my pen in hand 10 let
you know that I am well. hope YOU
are the same. and that in all prob
ability We shall never sadden each
others eyes any more. really
have but one regret in the matter.
for ! imagine YOU will rather well
come the news. and that is the prom
Use 10 be a better man TO you.
which I made your charming friend.
Madge-hOw I could love that wom-
an if shed only let me-just before
left for South America.
But I've done her one service
A certain beautiful damsel who dis
turbed her dreams for a long time
will trouble her no more. The fas-
cinating Draper party. who did such
dramatic stunts for Dicky's sake.
has finally decided that she prefers
a stronger character. 10 Wit. Me.
and who am l that should refuse