South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-09-26

Dicky threw the words clreies&ly
over his shoulder 20 Lillian and me
seated ia the tonneau Mai. Grant
lands machine wi,h its owner. Mrs
Durkee. Alfred and Edith and Leila
Fairfax was already out Of sight
down the Long Beach road sur
missed that Dicky had purposely
waited until the others were out or
SIGHT before proposing this amend
ment 90 his original plan Of taxing
me directly home
I'D Io-e IT, b." I said promptly, and
Lillian also asseuted enthusiastic
ally. / saw him smile enlgmauc-
ally almost triumphantly. then ne
turned the car around and soon shot
out OF the Long Beach road and
headed east on the wide boulevard
which runs almost the whole length
u Long Island.
Something in his manner re-
minded me Of a small boy planning
some prank. but ] phuosophlcally
reminded myself that Do would be
time enough 20 worry about it when
he should himself spring his joke.
whatever IL was. Therefore i gave
myself Up 10 the enjoyment of the
ride. feeling bur one drawback 20
n
viction 1 had that Lillian was watch
ing me intently though covertly.
That her scrutiny had something
20 do with Maj. Grantland I was as
sure as / was that I was beginning
20 feel a little resentful of her pat
ent disapproval of my renewed ac-
quaintanceship with the young Of
scer. 1 was no child i'm leading
strings told myself with ABSURD
heat-that my every word and ac-
ton as well as those OF the young
officer should be watched so cap
tiously / had the grace TO be
ashamed OF myself. however, even
as my irritation welled within me,
and with the swift passing OF a Few
more miles through the pleasant
summer air 1 began 10 feel quite
tranquil again.
But had recl<oned without l)icky.
He drew UP the machine by the.
side OF the boulevard when we had
put ten or twelve miles between us
and the Long Beach road, and
turned 20 US. his eyes dancing but
with a little set line about his lips.
which told me that he had evolved
some purpose which he was de-
termined To carry out.
Now that we've gotten rid OF the
bunch. what do you say 10 our crop
ping into 'Ye Olde Tavern and hav-
ing a quiet little meal ourselves"
saw the childishness of his plan
in an instant. felt the resentment
against him of an hour before com
ing back 10 me He meant 10 make
Mai Grantland think that after
pleading fatigue as an excuse for
not Joining the crowd in dinner at
the beach I had seized the oppOrtun-
ity 20 dine with my husband and
Lillian as soon as his back was
turned.
And yet. hesitated TO object to
Dicky's plan. for I realized that he
would be furiously angry If / re-
fused TO aid him in his infantile
plan OF getting even" If only Lii
lian-but / feared that she. because
OF her seemingly absurd prejudice
against the officer would abet DiCky
IN his plan instead of hiudering
him.
I had misiudged her. however, as
] realized with the first words she
uttered IN reply TO his proposal.
words that were more hurried than
her wont I'M her patent endeavor 20
save me the embarrassment of
either acQuiesCing I'm or denying my
husbands suggestion.
What an Amounted idiot YOU are,
dear heart. she dpOStrOph him
oratorically. 'sDidn't YOU hear
Nfadge say back there she wasn't
up 10 dining OUT She ought to be
ia bed this minute. and she would
be II this wonderful air hadn't be-
guiled me out Of my seven senses.
You turn this machine around. prom
TO. and start 70 IN the direction of
L Il
Olde Tavern flat this trip. my
Dicky- bird. unless YOU want another
yard-long doctor bill. Remember.
this is the first day Madge has been
outdoors"
1T Isl" Dicly's tone held aston
ishment why / thought she had
been out two or three days."
You should keep better posted.
Lillian reported dryly.
That Dicky caught her meaning
knew by the sudden flush which
overspread his face He ierl<ed
around and busted himself with
starting the car, but the tell-tale
flush extended 20 the back OF his
neck and his ears. and I knew that
he must be furiously angry az Lii
Ian. and no doubt at me as we'll
The drive home was a silent one
except for the veriest common
places. And when. with the most
elaborate courtesy he had assisted
me from the car and almost carried
me upstairs 20 my room, Dicky tried
and failed-to affect a most nom
chalent air. as he remarked.
AS Ions as you need q rest so
much, Nadge. YOU certainly don't
want 20 be bothered with me talk
ing. Besides it's crime TO STAY in
doors. SO I think III vamoose with
the fee cart for awhile Tell Katie
not 20 wait dinner for me- I'll pick
Up something along the road"
I turned defantly 20 Lillian when
we were finally left alone i'm my
room I have not felt so absolutely
eNasperated az everything and every
body since I was a small child and
my little mother used 10 put me in
room alone 70 get over my tam
truus 7 had q very vivid picture
o. the small Eiri who used 70 stamp
her feet pound or the door and 9TH
ervise exercise the demon OF temper
within her Until az last the fountains
OF her childish soul broke up i'm
peDitent tears and she sobbed her
SELF % sleep. I felt far more like
STAN ping ny feet DiCiy. az whom
my anger was chiefly directed. was
out OF my reach Ny frayed nerves