South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-08-10
HOW LILLIAN SET ABOUT MEET
ING THE MENACE MADGE
DISCLOSED.

When in response 20 Lillian's pre-
arranged signal I opened her Ii
brary door and admitted her and
Katherine Sonnet my limbs were
trembling beneath me so that l had
20 grasp the door for support There
was momentsry CLEAN in Lillian's
eyes which seemed 10 my excited
Imagination like plying contemptu-
GUS tolerance OF my weakness as SHE
asked quietly.
We're YOU so frightened. Madse?
We We're gone "a long time know.
1T wasn't that" l answered. and
then my voice refusing 10 serve ne.
! raised my hand and pointed 10 the
door where the square aperture
gaped. "A mute memento of the des-
perate attempt TO gain entrance.
Good Heavens," Lillian gave one
look at the closet door then whirl-
ed upon me.
Did any one get in here What
did he find OUT"
Her hand was upon my shoulders
in a grip Of which 1 am sure she
didn't realize the sharpness. But it
was like a spur TO my faltering
nerves. ! found myself able 10 use
my voice. TO make her an answer.
NO. he didn't get in" l said.
And then at the light Of relief which
leaped into Lillian's eyes 1 felt my
se!f suddenly grow weak and every
thing went black before my eyes
When I again opened my eyes il
was to look into Lillian's anxious,
loving face. while Katherine was
applying restoratives.
shes all right now" Katherine
said. and then TO me. Drink this,
Madge. and lie quietly for little un-
til you're strong enough 10 tell US
what happened
Lillian Understands.
Il am strong enough now, / said,
after / had obediently swallowed the
pungent draught she put TO my lips.
81 am ashamed. indeed, of fainting
like this, but IL have had 10 do
such an awful thing while YOU were
gone that it has completely upset
me"
Lillian's quick eyes had caught
the empty carbOlic acid bottle lying
where it had dropped from my
hand upon the rug Some of the
drops had eaten into the fabric and
there were traces Of the acid in the
sawed opening of the door She
rushed 10 the door, examined the
marks carefully and came back
holding the bottle alOft.
You don't need 10 tell me any
thing, you blessed child!" she said.
Look here, Katherine. DO you
see what she did! She must have
stood by the side of the door watch
ing the man saw around the lock.
and then have emptied the acid
over his hand when ne put it
through.
"Oh. you brick. YOU darling
brick" she exclaimed. turning 10
me and putting loving. strong arms
about me. you may faint a dozen
times a day if you'll always keep
your wits about YOU as YOU have
cone today when there's necessity
for action.
But I must hurry over to the
ether house and warn them of what
has happened" she said. There's
spy among them. Don't leave this
room while I'm gone. 1 shall go
out 10 the street and in by the front
entrance of the house, but l may
come back this way Katherine will
tell YOU all that happened when we
were gone"
"Or Rather"
While she talked she moved rap
idly across the room putting on out
door garments. and was out of the
door with her last word.
Katherine put me back upon the
couch where they had laid me aft
er my swoon and sat down beside
me
Not a word unless YOU promise
TO lie there quietly" she said smil-
/ ing down at me. Your nerve is
/ stronger than your nerves, my
dear" she gayly emphasized the
pun, and you've had a severe
F shock But I'm so proud of you. -
Il suppose YOU have had no
shock at ALL nothing TO affect your
nerves" I said with a tinge of bit
( terness at myself for being as poor
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