South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-08-22

ing him realize that the little wom-
ans hysteria was rooted not IN dis
like or disapproval OF Leila, but in
her own foolish fondnes5 Ior him
self. Man-liko he took refuge in
badinage.
You'd better ask my permission
FIRST" he growled.
HUH" Dicky retorted Indignantly.
2 I'll ask nobodys permission, not
even my wifes. This is my inalien-
able privilege, Ell. Leila?"
She looked up at him gratefully as
he kissed her. while Alfred made a
pretence OF trying 20 keep him from
giving the caress. But when Dicky
swung around toward his friend. I
saw Alfred's hand go out TO his in
clasp that / knew held gratitude
and appreciation. But I began 10
grow uneasy. for there was no sign
/ Of the temperance OF either Mother
/ Graham or Mrs. Durkee.
| Whit AIadgc and Lillian Set Out TO
Do.
AS the seconds wore on into min
utes and there was no sound from
/ the hall into which Mrs. Durkee and
/ my mother-in-law had disappeared.
my anxiety increased. Despite my
! EllOWleQke Oh lnOLleT AIIdAAdIll
nate sense OF justice I was not so
confident as was Dlcky that she had
/ followed Mrs. Durkee in order TO
| bring that little woman TO her senses.
/ Might she not instead-my anxiety
/ prompted me to ask-be employed
| In cOndoling with the other woman's
grief?
I signalled my apprehension 70 Lii
] liam, woman fashion, with "A lifting
OF the eyebrows. She promptly
seized my cue.
"Alf." she said with the authority
| OF long friendship. turning TO him,
why don't you take Leila into the
library for a few minutes and tell
her the things that we all know
you're dying to utter? Then by the
time your mother comes back Wen
all be ready for the happy ringing
down Of the curtain upon the fourth
Whore Arc They?
Alfred flashed her a grateful
glance.
tenderly. and without giving Leila
time 10 assent or dissent. he hurried
her masterfulIy out of the room
AS the door closed behind them
Lillian rose. an air Of decision envel-
oPing her
II guess Paw Graham and Grand
paw Spencer ought to be able 10 take
are OF one baby for 4 few minutes.
she drawled. but ! think you'd
better stay with them, Marion. They
might give him pickles or salad or
/ something"
Little Marion giggled happily. as
much I was sure OF this sign OF her
| restorati ton 10 her mothers favor as
I at the pleasantly. IL is an invariaOle
/ practice OF Lillian's TO follow any re-
proof OF Marion's with some pleasant
qUip 10 TIE child few minutes later.
I'll watch them, mother" she car
/ rolled. "Oh, you beautiful darling,
you'll" This apostrophe she directed
/ to the baby, and was the last thing
we heard as we left the room, LILLIAN
/ having picked me'Up with her eyes"
o. we rose from tho table.
We found the living room deserted.
and a hasty though stealthy survey
OF the other rooms discovered no
trace OF either woman.
We came down the back stairs 10
the kitchen. Intercepted Katie in low
voices.
sure I see them" Katie said. a
note OF disgust IN her voice. "Dey go
out to gardens behind rose hedge.
( That Meesis Durkee. she cry and
Eulp, and that mother-in-law she
keep saying. i know. know. I have
same ting vunce.' What matter that
Mecsis Durkee. feel like that ven she
Eoin' get such fine young lady like
Meesis Fairfax for daughter? What
she want. eh-Queen of Belgium ?
That womans she married already
yet"
You say they're IN the GARDEN
I said sweetly. ignoring Katle's tor
rent OF comment. and without further
parley we left the house and took
the path 20 the lake.
"Of course. Katie's been listening
AZ the door again" I said nervously.
What I'm ever going TO do with her
don't know. 1t seems as though