New Britain herald., 1920-11-20

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 DurIxcc.
 Little Mrs. Durkee rose unstcadil, to her feet, as if my words had beer V an electric shock galvanizing her Int movement. and took q step toward me. Her eyes were wide with amaze ment. With satisfaction saw that into them was creeping a hint Of terror.
 Postpone the wedding" she re. peated. why Madge, what do you mean?"
 !. Exactly what I say" I returned You say that you cannot control wour grief 1T you sec the ceremony. and therefore, mean to stay away from it. AS . true friend to both Alfred and Leila I must tell them of this That Leila will postpone her wedding is cer- tain"
 "oh. Alfred will never forgive me if you do that!" she said chiIdishly. Don't tell them, Nfadse."
 Do you imagine" I rctorted stern ly. "that he will ever forgive you if you either display undue grief at his wedding or stay away from it?''
 oh What shall do?" she asked wildly but I saw that she had sur rendered. Then permitted my very reul pity for her to show itself, some thing [ had not dared to do while she was obsessed wtth tho idea that she could not attend her sons wedding.
 "Do?f countered. Nothing at all. save be yourself. the plucky little woman we all know and love. Why. you didn't net this way when Alfred went to the wari I knew that you wopt sometimes. of course. but I never saw you do it. Surely. if you could .eontrol yourself in that awful time, you can do 90 now"
 Perhaps that is the reason can't do lt now" she said with n simple dignity that made mo feel rersorscful until she promptly panished my re- morse by adding q bit spitefully:
 sometimes I think would almost rather have him dead than married
 advanced toward her and took her hy thp shoulders.
 ''You need n good shaking" said with a laugh which | had to force. You will persist in putting your worst foot foremost saying things you don't mean. Now forget all this nonsense, and He down and try to sleep little, and you will feel great deal better when you wake up"
 Madgs stands By.
 She looked up at me with tear bedewed eyes and au.vering lips.
 'If you'll lie down with me and hold my hand I think could sleep sho said as simply aa a grieved child, and felt again the tug at my sympa- thies which I always experience when sec my little friend in any trouble.
 "Of course" said, in as matter-of- fact manner aH could manage. for I knew that any undue display of sym pathy would set her to weeping again. 'I want my nap, too. Wen just leave tho door open between our rooms. IL will give us better aid. Besides. if we miss hearing the maids knock at one door VIC will hear 1t at the other. Aunt Dora is going to have us called in an hour. you know"
 T know" she said. with a fright ened little air, and I feel that sim ply must set some sleep. my head aches so."
 Don't worry" I said soothingly. -kn put you to sleep"
 I lay down on her bed. put my arm around her. and cuddled her as I would Junior. Tn a few minutes her regular breathing told me that sleep had come to her. and I rapidly drift kd after her into slumber.
 We both arose refreshed when the maids low knock sounded on the door. and I saw that would have no more Trouble with my little friend. She had summoned her reserves of courage. and would go through her ordeal which I 6id not minimize-with flying roiora. When an .hour later. Leila danced ! lnto the room in a bewitching negligee. her face radiant with happiness. and i