South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-03-21
WHAT LILLIAN DID To PRE-
PARE FOR RITA BROWNS
DaHp1rN

PARTY.
do you want 20 come along with
me while 7 lay some traps and put
out some night lines2"
Lillian spoke gayly as we rose
from the table at Broquin's after
our shopping lunch"
Anywhere I returned. not quite
understanding the word symbols
she was using, bat cOntentedly sure
that she would explain them in her
own good time.
Good girl" she said smiling. and
chatted of other things until we had
walked perhaps a half mile along a
cross street
I'VE turn here" she said. and in
another moment we were entering
venerable secondhand book shop
Have you found anybody yet who
wifi fall for that book OF old prints?"
she demanded insouciantly Of the
middls-aged man who came forward
20 meet us, and who greeted Lillian
with the respect due a valued Gus
toner. for such felt sure she was.
Many who wish it. none who
will pay its price" the man re-
joined.
Nor would you have roped me
in" she retOrted, only 1 have a spe-
cial use for IT, So I fell. Let me
have another look 3: II, then pack
IL up and send II over, Will you
please7"
with pleasure, the man replied.
bowling. IT you will please be
seated"
He drew chairs for us, and soon
laid before US a large, heavy. old
volume Of marvellous costume prints.
which Lillian looked at with critical
eyes, while I openly and wonder
ingly admired. for had never seen
anything quite like II before.
Very we'll" Lillian gave her final
decision. send IL up right away.
You know the address"
She laid a bill OF large denOmina-
ton in the mans hand. and turning,
made her way out of the shop, 1
following close behind her.
The old rObber" she said. HE
probably picked up that thing for
so cents. I've wanted IL for a long
time. but I couldn't square it with
my conscience to pay his price. But
there are things I'm IL I've never seen
anywhere else, and I don't want to
overlook any bets when IL comes to
planning for Rita's racket"
You're going to far too much
trouble for me, Lillian" I began,
but she turned on me impatiently
Into Many ShpOS.
I'm having the time Of my life"
she said. Besides, I'm mighty glad
10 have something like this 70 take
my mind OF things"
Her insouciant mask lifted for an
instant and had a glimpse
of haggard lines. or tortured eyes
Then eyes and features again be
came animated.
Come on" she said. You'll
think you've been IN Bagdad by the
time the afternoons over"
Long before she reached the end
OF her quest I agreed with her
boast. I trai1ed wonderingly after
her as she threaded her way through
picturesque old shops displaying
barbaric necklaces and ornaments
carved from the stones and mate
rails not counted good enough to be
called gems" yet near in relation
ship 20 their favored sisters. Lillian
looked at the best of them with an
appraising eye. and I couldn't help
but hear an arrangement she made
with one shopkeeper that he should
lend her for a consideration. any
thing in the shop that she wished
for the night OF the party.
Betty Has News.
She made similar arrangements
In other shops where lengths of
beautiful oriental brocades and laces
and veilings were displayed. and i'm
still otherS-museum-l structures
holding treasures Of old silver and
cOpper-while / bewilderedly gave
up trying 10 follow the Kaleidoscope
evolutions OF her fancy.
There" she stopped abruptly
outside the door of a particularly
dusty antique shop. talk about
preparedness! I've got enough ideas
in my grabbing of a brain so 7 can
match that woman at any point.
Now for homei Pm tired 10 death.
and I know you must be. I feel
musty and dusty. Wen so TO the
nearest taxi stand, be whisked home
in 2 jlffy. get this dust off and have
good cup Of tea before you have
TO take your train"
We were both more tired than we
knew. and we uttered nothing but
the most necessary words until we
were costly settled IN the library
with Lillian's beautiful tea service
before us. Betty. who had brought
up the tray. lowered near US, with a
manner that seemed 10 me 10 be-
token uneasiness Lillian must have
noticed IL also. tor she spoke to the
woman brusquely but kindly.
Well, Betty, what's on your
mind ,"
Drink yoh tea fust." the old
den III tell yoh. Yoh amt ut 70
heah muffin. youths dat tired Get
Won tea down fust"