Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-05-21
Why is Madge's Father Celebrating
a Especial day."

Are you going to BE very busy to-
morrow, daughter?"
n. NY father looked up from his
grapefruit a bit wistfully. With
remorseful twinge | realized that
in the whirl of my many duties in
school and at home | had given very
little attention to my father since
Dickys return to civilian life, or
indeed, before.
1t was the Friday morning fol-
lowing Dicky's appearance at the
Bayview high school, and he had
been so preoccupied with his work
in the city that l had had very little
opportunity for conversation with
him. knew that orders were COM
ing in to him rapidly, and that his
illustration for the serial Alfred
Durkee had given him were not yet
finished, but | had hoped, secretly,
that the next day, Saturday, on
which I was free from school duties,
might bring me out of the old, de-
lightful little trips with my husband,
which used to be red letter days in
my life. 1t was not alone the desire
for day with Dicky that actuated
nv v;sh. would have welcomed
almost anything which would take
my thoughts away from the haunt
ing fear that had obsessed me ever
since our evening at my principals
home. l had no fresh reason tor un-
easiness, for there was nothing in
Mr.. Stockbridge's manner to indi-
cate that he even remembered any
unusual occurance, and Alice Hol-
combe and / had, with wordless
understanding, carefully avoided the
SUBJECT of Milly Stockbridges mania.
Dicky Is Busy.
But I couldn't help my own fore
bodings, though l held them in
stern leash, fearful lest Dicky should
observe my alarm. Fortunately, the
whole ugly occurrence of the even
ing had escaped his notice, and l
knew that he had carried with him
only favorable impressions of the
affair, not the least pleasing of
which, suspected, was the memory
of Bess Dean in her hame-colored
gown. -g-.-.
couldn't resist sending a fur
tive. appealing look in Dicky's di-
rection, as / answered my fathers
question. =,
"Why, I have nothing on at all, of
my own affairs, father" l returned.
Il don't know what Dicky has plan
ned"
"Dicky has planned nothing" my
husband retorted promptly. whats
more, he will plan nothing for some
sweet time to come. I'm a working
man, my dear, trying to make up tor
lost time. So, if dad wants you to
do anything, go ahead, with my
blessing. / can't even invite you to
meet me for dinner, for I've got an
engagement l can't get out of"
with an art editor, suppose.
The words snapped out, almost
without my own volition. The next
moment I would have given much
to have recalled them. But the mem
ory of the time when Dicky had
made an excuse of engagements
With art editors" to cover other en-
gagements to which he knew /
would OBJECT was SUN WILL INC, hdu
been stirred by the old hateful
phrase.
A Rare Treat.
"Yes, with an art editor, Worden,
of Tarpen's," Dicky replied belliger-
emily. what of it,"
The tone, the words, were brusque
rude, but didn't resent them. In
deed, felt that / had in some mea-
sure deserved them. tried to make
amends.
Absolutely nothing" I laughed,
trying to turn the incident of light
ly. "And / can do whatever father
wishes with a clear conscience" s
/ looked at my father questioning
ly. He smiled indulgently.
why, l am feeling so much bet
ter that / thought I should like to
escort you on an outingl I haven't
had the honor in long time. Al
most never. in fact"
There was . Quaver in his voice