South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-04-11
WAS MRS. STOCKBRIDGEs
STUMBLE AN ACCIDENT?

What method Kenneth stock
bridge and Alice HOlcombe used 20
reduce Mrs. Stockbridge 10 order
had no means Of guessing. but
whatever IL was 10 proved effective
ct least for the time being
The three walked away together
and disappeared into the dining
room. Mr. StockbridRe returned a
few minutes later with smiling face,
but eyes that were strained. full OF
uneasiness. Later stiI Alice HoI-
combe and Mrs. StockbridEe came
back into the living room together.
both chatting animatedly 1 was
quite sure that Mrs. StOckbridge had
been crying, although the traces Of
tears were not visible. They paused
before the chair where I still sat
under the watchful eye of Mr.. Don
Eers
Mrs. Stockbridge is wondering.
Mrs. Graham, II the lion Of the
evening could not be persuaded
20 roar a bit for the visitors" Miss
HolcOmbe drawled. while Mr.. Don
kers peered disapprovingly at her
over his glasses.
"Oh, don't you suppose he will
Mrs Graham ?" Milly StOckbridge
cOoed with the infantne playfulness
which she affects at times We're
all just dying 20 hear him Mr.
Stockbridge tells me his speech to
the pupils this afternoon was SIM
ply wonderful You'll ask him.
won't your He can't refuse you.
I'm sure"
Her face was all smiles and aui-
nation Evidently she had prom
ised her husband and Alice Hol-
combe to behave herself also 10 re-
move the possible effect on Mr.
DOnkers OF her former speech. But
although she could control her face
and voice. she could not quite man
age her eyes, and when a few sec
Onds later j inadvertently met them
gazing at me intently my blood
chilled at the cold, malevolence her
look betrayed.
Il would be very glad TO ask him.
Mrs. StOckbridge," / returned cour-
teously. but I am sure iJ would do
no good. If Mr.. Stockbridge or you
cannot persuade him TO speak, my
word would have no influence. Be
sides, my husband and I have a bar
gain never TO ask the other 10 do
stunts as he would express il. in
public"
Mrs. StOckbridge's Invitation.
Wed better get Ken busy, then. ="
our hostess returned. turning care
lessly away. but not before I had
caught a glance by no means care
less from her black eyes That she
was plotting some mischief ] was
sure. and I would have given q
good deal for a plausible excuse for
leaving the house.
To my great surprise "Ken" evil
IDENTIFY got busy TO some effect, for
a little later Mr.. Stockbridge called
<or attention, and after a few pre-
liminary words of introduction
Dicky gave a clever. interesting. in
formal talk which seemed to delight
his listeners. 1 was immensely
proud OF him, and could have throt-
tied the obtuse Mr.. Donkers. who
persisted In accompanying Dicky's
stories with whispered comments 10
me and Inquiries for any further
details which he imagined he would
like 20 hear.
As Dicky finished and his hear
els gathered around him with con-
gratulatOry remarks. Mrs. Stock
bridge came up 10 me smiling
Dear Mrs. Graham" she COoed,
would you mind coming Ouc and
relieving me at the fruit punch
bOwi2 I sent Mrs Gray. who has
been there the first part Of the even
ing, in 90 hear your husband. and
she's still talking to him. II you
would just stay there tin she cones