New Britain herald., 1920-12-18

Dicky looked at lis watch as
 moved abruptly away from the bridge
 railing.
 Why tho mad rush, old dear?" ho
 aueried. We've still got good margin
 before Whistling Sam's schedule
 "I thought I saw a snake down
 there" I replied. with a mcndacious little shudder. "Besiues, | want to sec
 that little camp over beyond. It fasci- | mates me
 I'd Iiko n look at It. too" Dicky
 assented. falling into step beside me. His manner was as indifferent as if | he had never heard of the man named l Tim. l cast a furtivc glance at him. ! Was Inc really unconscious Of the man l identity. had Hugh t-rantland kept to ! himself all details of Grace Drapor's l arrival and hanishmcnt. was my husband only pretending ignorance ?' | Since his memorable talk with me con- | corning my exposure of Rita Brown | never have been quite certain how 1 much he does or does not know of my l affairs.
 But. of course. oI esticn or comment -as impossible. for f1e. so I simply -aikCd dcrnurely at his side until we 'acECd the rustic camp, also or < histl'ng Sam's fashoning. Ii was a strangely attractive little building its site a gentle cminence from which one caught delightful glimpses of the river. the bridge and the winding road.
 Its just one big room with a waslroom adjoining, and this veran- dD." Dicky observed, as I climbed the steps of tho broad veranda and ex- claimed in delighted admiration at the comfortabIc-1ooking rustic bench os scattered about the veranda.
 Eut Nyhpn f Co1.rht sis-hf of tho i'm, mcnsc fireplace inside, wonderful fire of logs blazing in its deep throat, lost all interest in the veranda and rushed forward it with the childish sloe I aI- ways feel on seein big fireplace.
 "Oh Dicilv!" I exclaimed. Isn't this wondnrful?"
 What always makes you so daffy about hreplaco?" Dicky inquired curiously. You always act as if you were years old. and expected Sam ta Claus to come right down the chim- ney. Not that the rold boy couldn't get down this one easily. at that" he said, surveying the big ope1ing critically.
 Lingering Tim.
 "If you'd been brought up over hole in the floor wit.i not air coming up from a furnace when tho furnace chose to work, you'c he, daffy about one. too" I rctorted. hctly. ''I always Iongcd for fireplace. when I was child but never had a chance to live beside ore until | was grown up."
 Well, she shall always have a fire place as long as her husband can hold a pencil and draw little pieces for tho papers, so she shall" Dicky leased, slipping his arm around my shoulders but hastily-t -taking it away again us a chorus of chs and ahs sounded from the steps X second later a group of tourists from the other canoes filed into the room. Dicky and I. with q lingering glance at the ant1cred deer heads decorating tho walls, the big rustic table strewn with magazines and smokers conveniences, and the comfortable choking cots standing against the wallsg walked down the steps and toward the dining hall
 Dicky's nonsensical moods always raise my spirits. no matter what de- pressing influences may be near mo. And even the sight of the man named Tim. lounginE on the boat landing. with his tace turned toward the en- trance of the dining hall, failed to cnpress mo. as had my previous nlimpses of him. After all there was nothing to be feared from the man himself. IL was simply because he was an emissary of Grace Draper that ! dreaded seeing him or speaking to him.. And. told myself. I really hadS no warrant for believing that he had any utessage for me or any desire to acc me. But knew that my torment ing curiosity, founded on my dread or Grace Draper. would make me seek an opportunity to put single ques- i ton tn him.
 Mad.c Makes Opportunity.
 Better hurry bit, old dear," Dicky We've less than tho ftvo minutes allotted us by Whistling sam to get ready for dinner. And our friends at the camp are hurrying be- hind us I understand it's a point of honor at theso dinners not to delay the service by a second. Whistling San,'a q temperamcntal cook.
 hurried accordingly. Washing my hands and arranging my hair and hat i'm n rustic washrooni where two or three other women were hastily primping. joined Dicky and sat down with him at precisely the moment and in tho place WhistlinG