South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-02-20

DIcxy had the grace 10 look a
bit ashamed OF himself az his moth
er left the room TO get the hand
lzerchiefs. fer the mIsiaying OF
which he had unjustly accused me.
That's the time you had one on
me" he said with a reluctant grin.
* acknowledge the corn. What's
the matter? Sore 2"
I forced back both the scathing
retort that trembled on my lips and
The resentment which prompted e,
and smiled at him with q cheeri-
ness / was Ear from feeling
"No. just finding the north lot
rather windy" I retOrted.
He threw back his head and
laughed aloud. We both were ia
miliar with the allusion. We had
heard II often enough from the lips
OF little Mrs. Durkee, repeated fire.
Quently.
Il am just like my mother" she
Invariably began. con my fathers
farm piece Of land called the
north lot was the most remote from
the house. How often have heard
Mother tell Father, one OF the most
unreasonable men who ever drew
breath. that he blamed her for any
Thing that happened in the house
or on the farm, no matter IL she
were in the farthest corner OF the
EOrth Tot at the time"
Both families, amused by the al
eusiOn, had taken It up. and "Oh, 1
was in the north lot" became a
household saying.
You're a pretty good sport. old
dear. I'll say that for you" Dicky
said with an approval in his tone
that partly compensated me for his
unjust irritation OF the minute be-
fore. by the way. how do the
reservations suit? Everybody salts
fed? They'd better be. because II
was the most colossal piece of good
luck getting two drawing rooms.
Tou see, with three fares in each,
the drawing rooms cost practically
no more than the beuhs-perhaps
G couple OF dollars difference-and
tverybody's standing in line with
their tongues hanging out for
them. The seasons nearly over for
going down there or there would
have been nothing doing"
81 fancy everything IS serene" !
said smiling. Mother was a triflc
upset because she wanted Junior "a
Dc comfortable, and did not want
the upper berth let down. She
finally arranged IL so that she will
take Junior in the lower berth and
! will sleep on the couch"
"Wiu you be comfortable? %
Dicky's solicitude was so palpably
perfunctory that felt my irrita-
ltion rising again.
'As we are only 10 be on the
train one night I thirk I shall be
able TO survive the ordeal" 1 an
swered dryly.
"whew!" Dicky gave q shril
whistle. What's up now? Which
particular corn did / inadvertently
tread On2"
I am afraid I should have given
him a caustic reply-fOr there IS
something particularly rasping &c
me in this exaggerated mannerism
Of his when he chooses to think
am needlessly offended-if the
usually charming voice OF little
Mrs. Durkee. now high-pithced witt
excitement. had not reached out ear;
from the hall down which she was
evidently travelling rapidly.
Bet you anything you like there's
Something gone wrong with her re-
servations.' Diclxy said in an under
tone. "Alf just took 'em home last
night Here's where beat it, pronto
So long. old dear"
With a wave OF his hand and an
sudacious wink at me he moved
lightly. noiselessly 70 the window
opened it, and stepped to the fiat
roof OF the veranda. Z knew that
he could gain entrance TO the open
bathroom window in the same fash
Ion, so there was no feeling OF
Worry mingled with the indignation
I felt at his leaving me TO face Mrs
Durkee's complaints.
He had just disappeared wher
her staccatO knock sounded on the
door. AS I threw IL open both she
and my mother-in-Iaw looked curl
Dusty past me at the empty room.
81 thought you said Dicly wa
here" my little neighbor said queru-
lously. turning TO Mother Graham.
II was sure he was" Mother era.
nam returned. looking at me sus
piciously. where is he. Margaret %
HE went ont little while ago.
7 answered truthfully. And I dom
know when he will be back. Blu