Great Falls daily tribune., 1920-04-06
HOW MADGE MANAGED A d
CONCERTING MEETING.

DR.. Petit was 50 intent upon his own
car that he had not noticed the driver
Of the other runabout which had SO near
~ colIided with us as we re-cntered the
ramshackle gateway Of the Ticer farm.
But Harry Underwood. who appears to
do his devil-may care motor driving
equally well with one hand or two. he'd
taken in every detail Of the physician 5
car and its occupants before he turne,
off his engine.
| shiyrred slightly as | met his brill
liant. mockMg eyes, read Ill them as
toiishment resentment at my being any
where in Dr. Pettits company re-
called with dread the old animosity De-
tween the two men-and most Of all the
malicious determination to d" everything
he could to make the next few minutes
uncomfortable ones.
Upon my word he drawled. Ionns-
ing toward us, and / had never seen his
wcIl-knt. 1.-THE figure show to better ad-
vantage than in the light tweeds he wore.
If it isn't NY Lady Fair: And the
dear doctor. too How are you. Doe?
Are you practising down in this neck
of the woods or are you here simply as
escort for the little lady here!''
| was sure that he knew all about the
Young physicians S residence in the village
and that his inquiries. his mimicry Of the
country folk appellation Of Doc. his
general. mocking. patronlzins. AR We're
simply SO many strokes Of the stlletfo
with which he hoped to soad the physi-
clan into anger In the same list also
belonged his attitude and lazy smile as
he strolled up to the other man and held
out his hand.
When Enemies Meet.
DR.. Petittit's face was white with
anger: his lips compressed into tight
tended his hand the physician put mis-
deliberately behind his back.
You will excuse me from taking your
hand he said between his teeth. then,
turned to me, speaking his words slow
ly measuredIy. evidently with great ef-
fort. IF you will kindly get your purse
in hurry Mrs. Graham YOU need not
be detained here long
"Ain't you the kind. sweet thing.
thought Mr.. Underwood gibcd. to all
appearances perfectly nnperturbed by
the others insult. But I had seen his
eyes contract at the physicians words
and gesture. and knew that only my
presence had prevented Harry Under
Woou tFoiH cApiCssfHS Ills IeseAt"eHI III
a blow.
A Hasty Explanation.
He was in perfect condition physical
". and l knew that in any contest his
powerful frame would be much more
than a match for the slighter weaker
frame of the physician. But there was
a potential explosion in the blazing eyes
of the younger man, and l unobstrusive-
ly stepped between the two men as MIR.
Underwood turned to me.
What wind Of good luck blew YOU out
TO our interesting friend. Mrs. icer's,
Lady Fair?" he askcd, and there was
significance in his manner which made
me remember the last time I had seen
him. and the assurance he had given me
that he was strictly on the job in my
service. / felt unaccountably that
must answer him truthfully.
Lillian wished me to get some data
from c:lrs. TIGER in regard to the man we
saw that day. so | came out from Mar
vim today, found no taxis running, and
Il 1t had not been for accidentally discov-
pring DIR. Petit / should have been com
pelled to walk here"
do not know why ] added the ex-
plaDatiOn concerning my being in DIR.
Pettit's car. My errand to Ticer's was
n one sense his business. for l had
'hrewd suspicion that he was also trail |
ng the elusive Jake Wilsey But the
ook in his eyes. half-mocking, half
oddly suspicious, brought the justifyinx
explanation out against my will.
His face cleared, but the mocking
aughter remained.
'.Lucky Doc" he said. then lowered
iii voice. Better trade escorts. No:
Nell, you always were croo-el dan2e |!