South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-04-10

For a frantic second or two I
cast wildly about fin my brain for
some scheme by which I could get
my mother-in-Iaw out Of the room
long enough for me 10 secrete the
pieces OF torn telegram which I had
picked up and put iu my dress when
Dicky had unwlttingly dropped them
on the floor. I knew my mother-in-
laws irsatiable curiosity. her pro-
peusity TO have "a finger I'm every
domestic pie. II she didn't openly
quiz me upon the subject she would
never rest until she had solved the
mystery.
mot Just vet Mother" 7 replied
feebly 20 her proposal 20 help mo
undress. "fIi be AN right in a min
ute. though" j felt that every sec
Ond gained was something. Fran
ucally ] cudgeled my brain for an
idea, and then the very thing came
leaping 20 my mind.
"Oh. Mother" exclaimed. Il
hear Junior crying. Please see to
him. III be perfectly all night till
you get back. but do co.
She made a rush for the door.
shall / send Richard inn" she
threw back over her shoulder.
Please don't" protested Il
just want 90 rest"
Well, you certainly wouldn't get
much listening 90 that nonsense of
his" she commented caustically.
Lie still. I'll be right back"
7 obeyed her adjUra5iOn only until
the door closed behind her. Then
sat up and with trembling but
rapid fingers. unlocked my bodice.
took 10 off and stood up that every
bit OF the torn paper might fail 70
the floor. I wanted no telltale scrap
left in the gown A piece on the
floor would only mean 20 my
mother-in-laws mind the unudiness
Of Mrs Lukens's maid
But I meant to leave no scrap on
the floor. Bracing myself for the
effort. I laboriously gathered every
bit Of the torn paper and wrapped
them in a handkerchief. tying the
ends securely. 7 looked wildly
about for a safe hiding place. mag
ined I heard Mother Graham's step
returning. and ia desperation cram
med the handkerchief into one Of
the low shoes she had just removed
from my feet. I kicked the shoe
under the bed and fell back upon
my pillows just as my mother-in-
law opened the door.
Richard Second wasn't crying at
all" she said in tone that spelled
resentment az my making such an
accusation against her beloved
grandson. Then as she looked at
me. her mood changed 90 one Of
active Indignation.
why, What does this mean 20
she demanded "COuIdnt YOU wait
for me 20 take off your gown You
might have tainted dead away while
you were doing IT,"
Il know. Mother" said penitent-
Is. "but 70 seemed 90 be sitting me.
and I thought 7 could manage it all
right. I did too. 7 added, land il
hasn't hurt me- but I'm shaky
enough TO let you do the rest, If
YOU will"
That there was no surer way Of
disarming resentment or suspicion
on her part than by setting her 20
work. 7 well knew. For the next
few minutes neither Of MS spoke
while my mother-iu-Iaw. with some
trifing assistance from me- disrobed
me put me into my uieht things
ard pulled the covers over me.
Now n youI Just put your head
over this way. IU hru-h and braid
your hair for YOU she said briskly.
II know from the very walk on
that colored girl that the five min
utes 7 gave her 90 bring that hot
milk in viii mean 10. $50 T'I have
plenty OF time But there's one
comfort. never saw one of those
slow darkies bur what did things
pretty nearly risht when they finally
got around to it,
NY mother-iu-law' diction was
somewhat faulty. but her meaning
was clear and had "a quiet little
smile to- myself at the ruse she had
PLAYED She had needed Is minutes
70 prepare me for bed. she wished
the hot milk 10 come at the end Of
that time ESQ with a shrewd APP
praisemcut or the servant she had
ordered 30 for five minutes
With dcrt. tender fingers she
brushed and plated my hair and
with q soft washcloth and towel
batned and dried my face and hands.
True % her prediction as she fin
ished the last task. low knock
sounded on The door
What did 7 tell YOU she de-
manded triumphantly as she went 20
the door. Mandy's voice was soft
~ between her words as II she were
conquering an impeachment in her
speech.
"NIah fire vuznt rieht for toast
nohoW.' she explained. $50 I CouIdu g
hurry this
wei. II IRIS only prepared right.
7 don't mind The delay. my mother
in-Iaw said witch the lofty ktuduress
with which she always treats any
one serving her.
IT think yohU find it an right
Mandy replied with dignity and
when I had discussed the hot milk
and the crisp toast T aEreed with
her. They were exactly the uour-
ishment I needed. had hardly
taken the last wourhfuI before !
slipped into dreauless sleep.
When I awoke j seemed 20 be-
bathed in sunlight 7 looked about
in that curious irIsci-on which
characterize ones wsk.uE in "a
strange place. WONDERING where 7
could be. Then as rIluced around
the queer-lookirc room in which I
found myself and saw in The other
twin bed Dickys brown head buried