South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-02
HOW SLADGE TOOK THINGS IN
TO HER OWN HANDS AND
ARRANGED TO MEET HARRY.

1 tried 10 conceal il from Lillian
and Katherine. but 1 was trembling
with nervousness when they left FOR
their shopping trip. The prospect
OF any interview with Harry Under
wood. especially one as trying as
this conference promised to be, was
most unsettling.
There was no deceiving Lillian's
keen eyes, however. She turned
back at the door. sending Katherine
ahead to the waiting taxi in order
10 have a parting confidential word
with me.
You've got to brace up, Madge."
she said ans the edge in her voice
was calculated either TO stiffen my
backbone or TO crush me complete
". Il wouldn't ask you 10 do this
If I had any choice in the matter.
Frankly. I'm counting on Harry's
interest in you-I would better put
it his infatuation for you-nOt only
10 get him out of this mess he is in,
but to secure from him information
we il the service need sOrely. SO
keep your eyes mental and physical,
wide open, your nerves under con-
troll. and don't you dare miss a
trick. Young Gates in the library.
will be at your call II Harry should
turn ugly, which is the last thing
I expect So Iong!"
She was in the taxi before I re-
covered my breath. I mechanically
returned the wave of the hand she
back into the big living room.
During the next hour. which
seemed to stretch out Unfortunately.
tried 10 knit. to sew, 10 read and
abandoned all three as hopeless.
Though dreaded the sight of Harry
Underwood 1 was actually relieved
when Betty called me to the tele-
phone.
IT'S that limb Of Satan, Mis-
Lilhan's husband Mis- Madge."
Betty announced Indignantly. Mis-
Lillian, she tel me fore she went
'hat he'd probably come today while
she was gone TO see about some OF
his trash upstairs, an that she had
asked you TO tend to him. 1 know
what I'd tend to him with If was
you-just the sharpest razah I
could get hol' of. But he's waitin'
at the telephone, so shake your foot,
honey"
ats Imperative"
I followed her to the telephone,
resolved to follow Lillian's advice
and brace up" had always felt
myself at disadvantage when talk
ing 10 Harry Cnderwood-had been
unable 20 parry the pointed. sting
ing conversational shafts he was
wont to direct at me. or to avoid
what l feared moreLhis sentiment
al moods Now I made up my
mind TO take command of the stu
alton even If in doing so I violated
some of my old ideals of ethics and
behavior. The situation was des-
perate or Lillian wouldn't have
asked such a service of me. I
didn't intend to fail her.
"Ah, Lady Fair. SO glad to hear
your voice. That old woolly Chin
panzee was so frigid was afraid
perhaps she'd locked you up in your
room on bread and water and
wouldn't give you my message"
Wat can do for you'?'' asked,
lodging the question OF Betty.
Haven't you seen the Era ?"
Not until this morning. We
have had n death and burial here"
Yes. I know" hurriedly, Il saw
an announcement"
Did I fancy ii or was. there sonne-
thing aFapg ~ sremorse in his tone?
Il hoped, ssSS 1Surely he had reason
to be remorseful. for knew how
bitterly he had opposed Lillian's
giving a home TO poor old Mrs.
Morton.
When and where can ! see you?"
he continued ITS imperative,
ought to have seen you two days
ago"
"PTotty smooth"
A new dilemma faced me. I was