South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-06-20
WHY MADGE'S BRAIN KEPT RE.
PEATING OVER AND OVER
AGAIN WHAT DOES
DICKY INTEND
TO DO?"

~ ~
Alfred Durkee is going 20 enlist. %
I repeated the words mechanical
iy. Indeed. am not sure that I
fully comprehended what Dick had
said. NV brain was so occupied
with speculation concerning my hus-
bands attitude toward the war that
il refused TO register any other
thought.
He had come home upon the last
night train with the news of u
country's entrance into the world
war. something in his n as
we chung 10 each other, awed by the
tidings. had given ms the idea that
he meant TO enlist Immediately, and
in the darkness L had silently fought
out my battle against my selfshness
until l stood ready TO do my part.
Then ne had discussed the differ
ent phases Ofthe news in a manner
as detached and impersonal as If he.
himself, had no personal interest in
the subject. The difference between
his first manner and his later de-
meanor was so puzzling hat when
he finally wound up his rather ram
bling chatter with the news that Al
fred Durkee was going TO enlist I'm
afraid my manner vas irritatingly
vacant as repeated his words.
What's the matter, NIadge % my
husband demanded. You act as if
you'd had-why. 1 don't believe you
! even heard what l said
The irritation in his voice reused
mes With an effort l put aside the
sombre. puzzling thoughts which
had possessed me.
DiCky l. Irritated.
"I am rather dazed by IL all" L
admitted. but l am ready now to do
! anything you wish. You said ONE
thing about going TO see Mrs. Dur
kee. didn't you?"
7 did" Dicky returned l~aconic-
ally.
"Of course. I'll go right over to-
day if you think best. but aren't you
afraid il Will be an intrusion? 1
kniw if I were in her place j
shouldn't want to see any one"
Now don't trOt out that stunt Of
Judging every one by yourself" Dicky
replied. and there was more than a
trace Of irritation in his voice this
time. Because you want 10 crawl
off like a crab into a shell or hermit
into a cave when a%aythIng's the mat
ter is no indication other m
don't want sympa thy. Little Mrs.
Durkee. will be all broken up by this.
She worships All. you Knowles
the only child she eve had. And
she's a clinging sort of little crea-
ture. She'll need some woman. and
she hasn't a relative within a thou
sand miles
III 20 over in the morning" l
promised. And although dreading
the task intensely, l kept my word
am very fond OF gentle. laugh
ter loving little Mrs. Durkee, and 1
felt as if l could not bear 10 see the
misery I must find on her pretty
child-like face.
But 10 my great surprise, after
waiting until 1 was sure Alfred had
left for the city, l went over TO her
home. feeling as If my feet were
leaden every inch of the path. But
she met me at the door with the
same CHEEKY smile she always has
for me. Her pretty hair was care
fully foined. and her face had been
cold creamed and powdered So skill
fully hat no trace remained of the
tears she must have shed. Only her
eyes betrayed the depth OF anguish
that was hers.
How Proud l Am
'I suppose Dicky told you that AL
fred is going" she sale. after she
had chatted inconsequently with me
for several minutes.
Yes. he told me when he came
home on the late train l returned
II was afraid you would think I
was i|ntruding II ] came over this
morning. but ! couldn't stay away.
She came over i~mpetuous'- and
kissed me.
You're a dear. she said. but
don't say anything sympathetic 90
me or I shall begin 20 cry All told
me last night when he got Tome. He
/ didn't intend 90 do 10 until this morn
INK but as I was sitting up. reading,
, ne told me last night. ! managed 70
keep from crying until after he went
10 bed, and 1 got Up early and spent