New Britain herald., 1921-08-03

what Miss Jones had said. His face was grave when I had finished You're right about Sawbones al that" he said. ''If Lil does need you she'll need you pronto. Poor old sl'l: She's been putting the most tremen~ dous strain on her faculties ever since I've known her, carrying her own troubles and those of the world ana his wife besides. I told you l was l afraid of a tremendous smash there l some day If only Robert Savar'h | had stayed where he belonged, on ] granite pedestal up in the Catsk1lls, she might have postponed the evil day but as it is" he shrugged his | shoulders in the Gallic way which he | acquired years ago in his youthful af l feted days, a little mannerism which | I hope he never will drop, for in him it is most attractive, at least, to me. You think then, Dicky," my voice was filled win the terror l felt at any | bought of Lillian ill, that Roberts l presence is affecting her so much?" ''Not his presence so much as the plea Marion and he are no doubt put | ting up between them that she ditch 1 cid Harry and marry beloved Uncle
 
 like mans and while she's dippy | about Savarin, any one who knows her well can see that although she doesn't wear her heart on her sleeve l--yet, old Harry has a tugging powe~ on her heart and her conscience tha1 you cant beat. And the combination l will just about be the finishing straw that will break her nerve power ycu mark my word"
 A Terrifying Prospect. T I made no answer, for I had all l , could do to see the road It was as if the prospect of Lillian's danger lit erally blinded my eyes. Dicky spoke softly. yet compellingly: Drive to the side of the road and lstop." # l obeyed him, almost without my own volition, and as I mechanicallp IStopped the car, Dicky leaned past me and turned off the ignition key.
 T ought to be shot!" he said re 'norsefully, putting his arms around ne and drawing me against his shoulder. Don't take it so hard sweetheart. You know I'm always 'attling on. It may not be half SC tad as I've pictured"
 l smiled wanly, recovering myself with a mighty effort.
 'T mall right now" I said "its nothing I haven't expected myself and I'm going to face it like wom an instead of a child. But the thought of 1t overcame me for just a bit'
 of course. it would. It bowls me over bit, too, if anybody should as ycu. But look here! I don't antici pate Lil's going to die or be perma nent1y incapacitated, an invalid oi anything like that. But that she Goingto be out of the game for si. months or so is as sure as shooting"
 His words were reassurng, even witt the conviction of serious illness fol my beloved friend which they held But I knew that he was voicing hi own belief. not simply trying to mak \ me feel more content, and I gathere, courage from his assertion.
 But my dread for Lillian was to T heavy on my heart to permit speech 4 as, indeed, I think it rested on Dicky' M also, and we drove the rest of ou
 journey in absolute silence.
 Yet, when Dicky returned from tn
 postoffice with the brief remark, IN
 mail for you,' dumped a collection (
 envelopes addressed to himself int
 the back seat, and, climbing in be,i,7 !! me. frowningly began to read a Ion
 letter addressed to himself, I kne
 that had something else to confrol
 besides Lillan's danger
 For the letter was in the vel
 known chirography of Marsden, tl
 art editor who had asked Dicky to
 illustrate the Pennington book ft
 Which he had wished to have Ora,
 Draper as model