New Britain herald., 1921-03-04


 sketch from an investigation of the Iawn-"Come here and tell this Mrs. Graham
 "Pardon!" Lillian's voice was as creamy and chilly as frozen eustard. But you arc mistaken. I am not Mrs. Graham"
 ~ "who are you. then. and what are you doing here?" the woman de- manded rudely. And where is Mrs. Graham?"
 "I am Mrs. Graham's representa- tive. her best friend" Lillian replied. Mrs. Graham cannot possibly be dis turbcd today. She is exceedingly busy. and not very well'
 Lillian Is Cool.
 "I don't want to see her. goodness knows." the woman replied. But do want to see the inside of this house. and find out what shape it's in. There's been some monkey work going on. that's a cinch. from that mess in the kitchen. It wasn't like that when the agent took us through it while the Grahams were down South. Not that it was then my style of keeping n house-but then, you don't find many as particular as I am. If do say it as shouldn't"
 I hoped Katie was not listening to this tirade, or that if she was, she would miss tho sighting reference to her housekeeping. In her present mood, Katie was fully capable of rushing down the stairs and staging a riot. in which the feminine half of the new ownership might lose some of her hair. There was no sound from her room, however. and I lis tened intently for Lillian's reply.
 You will have every opportunity to view the house." she said coldly. upon the date set in the deed for the transfer of ownership. I think 1t is the first of May. Until then. I am afraid you will have to content your self with an outside view"
 Do you mean to tell me. you im- pudent thing. that I can't. get in my own house? Why. I'll go and get policeman this minute and break down the door! Henry!'
 A Change of Front.
 Henry's voice-or one that I as- sumed to he his-broke into the con versation, but he evidently was not as rabid as his wife, or had better knowledge of the laws governing the situation, for his voice was only mild ly expostulatory. I could distinguish nothing he said. however. for he be- Ionged to the class of people who humble their words Lillian's an- swor was prompt.
 "If your wife had approached us. sir in any courteous manner. I have no doubt that Mrs. Graham would have been glad to appoint a day when you could see the house. But as 1t is. I shall advise her very strongly to stand upon her legal rights in the matter. Your wife is ill-advised if she does not know that there is no possible authority for her entrance even into the grounds unless by the permission of the Grahams. Espe- chilly" Lillian paused significantly --"as the purchase money has not yet been paid down."
 Come on. Henry. We won't take their old house. We don't have to-" the other woman said sullenly.
 Shall take that decision to Mrs. Graham Lillian asked sweetiy, with n clever assumption of ingenious eag- erness. ''She will be most relieved to hear it. for she only consented reluct- ant1y to Mfr. Granam's wish to sell. Ana she has been having n great deal of trouble in finding house.
 There. Henryi What did I tell your" the woman cried excitedly. "I knew that there was some monkey business going on. They're just cook ing up something so they can get the house back again. Mo-" to Lillian, you don't need to tell her nothing Of the sort. Wen tnke the house all right. and believe mo. if everything ain't just as 1t was when we looked at it. we'll have the law on 'em if it takes every cent we've got"
 I heard her indignant feet going down the steps. then the closing of the Kitchen door. and knew that Lil- Han would be on the stairs in another minute.
 For a dismayed. disloyal second I wondered H she had improved things ~~ ,AaNa Ybapn SVorSe by her coilodtfy