New Britain herald., 1920-10-09
The Way Madge Laid Her Plans to
 Meet Rita Brown.


 Meet Rita Brown. "what?"
 The monosyllable came over tho telephone wire like shriek. Lil lian'S information had been correct. The name Lichnowsky certainly had power to disturb Rita Brown. Tho next moment she had regained tho audacity and boise which so rarely de- sert. her. and laughed lightly.
 How you startled me-" she said. "I thought you said somebody was dead, but l see now you were simply recommending Betty Kane's bread. You really should enunciate your words better. old dear. And if you really are so insistent, I suppose I must gratify you. I have a bit of a headache. I think a drive and Q cup Of tea will do me good, after all How do you get to this wonderful Betty kans's?'
 I heard a high-pitched murmur of Aunt Dora's voice and Rita's remon- strance.
 Preparing for Battle.
 No, indeed, I wouldn't think of all lowing you to take out the horses. And I really think I prefer 10 motor over. I will phone for a taxi at once." Then to me: Tell me how to get there."
 The edge in her voice was pro nounced now. I knew that the girl was girding herself for battle. The men ton of the name had surprised and alarmed her. but she was not yet ready to accept defeat. She meant to fight every inch of her way. But on my part I felt that the battle was won. The alarm she had betrayed at the mero mention of tho name had proved the truth of Lillian's informa- ton, although there was nothing in the world I needed less than confir- nation of anything Lillian told me.
 1T fancy that if you tell any taxi driver to come to Betty Kane's tea !, room in Cedar Crest you will have no further trouble" I said smoothly. But if he should not know, you will find it next to the postoff1ce. You can't miss it. How soon shall I ex- pect you?"
 .Oh. in about a half-hour, I should fancy" she replied airily, and hung up. the receiver, turning to find Betty kane apparently absorbed in arrang- ing her rack of postal cards. It was i her way of telling me that I need mako no comment upon the converse ton | had held, if I didn't wish to do so.
 -"My-acquaintance coming in halt an hour" I said abruptly. I could not use the word "friend' even in its conventional sense, in speaking of Rita Brown. May we have tea and rolls-and anything else you have at that time? I do not imagine we shall eat very much, but I'd like to have a pretty little tea, notwithstand- ing" ..-t>F5 's@"
 - Rita Browns Essences.
 lo, 1 .'and everything will be ready, all ex- oept making tho tea.'' ETH give youAthe word to prepare that when I see the taxicab draw up to the door, I said, for I wanted no delay. I meant to preserve the fiction of a tea party, if possible, until Rita Brown should lose, through anxiety. a little of the self-control of which she possessed SO much. I had not ob- served Lillian's methods of dealing with adversaries without realizing the advantage of keeping quiet. of letting one's antagonist make the first move I planned that Rita Brown should ask me directly what meant by my men ton of the name Lichnowsky.
 tried to school myself to a friend ly airiness of greeting when I should sec her. But feared that I should fail miserably for my aversion to the girl had been increased tenfold by Leila's revelations, and the information which Lillian had sent mo over the wire.
 But it was not the lies which sho had told to Leila-base as those were which stirred my deepest contempt and anger It was the thing which Lil- Han had telegraphed that to my mind revealed the absolute lack of woman Illness and decency in Rita Brown.
 4 girl who could be ashamed of tho mother who bore her, the father who had slaved for her, who could desert