South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-19
WHAT ROBERT GORDON DIS
CLOSED TO MADGE.

CLOSED TO MADGE-
Well. lady fair, they haven't made
you take the count yet, have they?
BY Jove, you're prettier than ever.
Ushered by Lillian. Harry Under
wood came into my room with all his
usual breeziness, and stood looking
down at me as lay propped against
the pillows Lillian had piled around
me. II was the first time 1 had
seen him since the night OF our din
ner, when with the wild idea OF
Furnishing Dicky for his foolishness
regarding elderly Mr.. Gordon l had
carried on a rather intense fiirta-
ton with Harry Underwood.
had been heartily sorry for and
ashamed OF the experiment before
the dinner was half over, and many
times since the accident which in
terrupted the evening 1 had wonder
ed, half-whimsically, whether my
dress catching fire was not "judg-
ment on me-" 1 had deeply dreaded
seeing Mr.. Underwood. but as I
looked into his eyes I saw nothing
but friendly cheeriness and pity.
Lillian drew chair for him to my
bedside, and for a few moments he
chatted Of everything and nothing
in the entertaining manner ne knows
so well how to use.
You may have just three min
utes more, Harry" Lillian said at
last. Stay here while 1 go down
To telephone. Then youIl have 10
vamoOse. Mr.. Gordon is coming
over. and can't have her too tired
Her husband gave a low whistle
and | saw quick look Of under
standing pass between him and Lii
liam. / did not have time TO won
der about it, however. for Lillian
went out of the room, and the mo-
ment she closed the door he said
tensely:
Madge Makes n Plea.
Tell me you forgive me- If 1
had not teased you that night you
would not have moved toward the
fire, and your dress would not have
caught. Why! you might have been
killed or horribly disfigured. I've
been suffering the fortunes OF Hades
ever since. But you will forgive me.
won't you? I'll do any penance you
name"
Through all he extravaganza OF
his speech there ran a deeper note
than I had believed Harry Under
wood 10 be capable Of sounding. AS
his eyes met mine and l saw that
there was something as near suf-
fering in them as the mans self-cen-
10 On To-.
OF feeling ] saw my opportunity.
Yes, I'll forgive yOu-everything
If youll promise me one thing.
which will make me very happy"
He bit his lip savagely-I think
he guessed my meaning-he did not
hesitate.
Name it," he said shortly.
Don't hurt lillian any more
about the change in her appearance
or object to her having her child
with her ] pleaded
he thought long minute. then
with quick gesture he caught my
uninjUred hand in his. carried il TO
his lips. and kissed II, then laid i,
gently back upon the bed again.
Done" he said grunly. 1T won't
bother me so much for awhile. any
way. Your friend. Gordon. wants
me 10 go with him on a long trim to
South America. I'm the original
white-haired boy with him lust now
for some reason or another. and it's
Just the chance I have wanted 10
look up the theatrical situation down
there. Perhaps / can persuade the
old boy 10 loosen up on some Of hi.
bank rool and play angel But. any.
way, J IN going TO be gone quite 3
stretch. and when 7 come back II
try 10 be a reformed character. But
remember. wherever I am me art /.
true TO Poll"
He bowed mockingIy with his ole
manner, and walked toward tn,
door, meeting Lillian as she cam,
In.
80 long. Lii" he said carelessly
I'm going for "a long walk See yot
later"
She looked at him searchinglv
All right she answered laconical
~. and then came over TO me.
Mr.. Gordon viii be here in 8
half hour" she said please tr,
20 rest a little before he comes"
She lowered the shades. and m,
pillows. kissed me gently. and lef
the room. But I could neither res
nor sleep. The widest conjecture
went through my brain. Who wa.
Robert Gordon, and why was he s,
strangely interested in me2
When Lillian came back she hath
81 my hands and face and gave m,
AN egg-nog before propping me ~
against my pillows 10 receive m,
visitor.
"Of course. YOU viii stay with me
Lillian. while he is here" 7 said
She smiled automatically. Par
OF the time. she said.
But when Mr.. Gordon came. bring
ing with him an immense shead o
roses. she left the room almost a
once. giving as an excuse her wisl
20 arrange the flowers.
Ny visitors eyes were hurnin,
with a light that almost frightene,
me as he sat down by my bedsid
and took my hand in his.
MY dear child. ne said. an,
l. fe-