South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-01-30

Neither Lillian nor gave any
need OF justice TO the delicious din
ner which Betty served following the
chicken soup" over which she had
been 50 temperamental.
1 watched my friend furtiveIy. Ce-
elded that she was paIpa0ly distract,
and that the cause OF her worry was
rot herself but me. The knowledge
naturally didn't increase my peace
OF mind, and 4 had an anxious time
O. IL trying 10 conceal my own agita-
lion and lack OF appetite from the
keen eyes OF Allen Drake.
He. however. Ia true masculine
fashion. was too busy at hrst dis
Cussing the Yiands served him 20 pay
much attention 70 Anything else. 1
knew that no had dlned at every res
taurant Of note IN the world. hat he
was a critical Judge Of things culin-
airy. and his absorption In his dinner
was a high tribute TO Bettys cook
inz-a tribute. however which LII
ians guests always pay her.
At the salad course Mr.. Drake
turned TO me accusingly.
You aren't eating your dinner"
nc said. and I felt his gaze steadily
upon rae. WHY"
L think you are mistaken" 1 re-
turned a bit YEARLY was tired
OF the game I had been playing even
SO dsEultOrily, and wished that Mr..
Drake would take himself and his
Easel nations and his va nifty anywhere
on the globe except In my vicinity
"but I Iunchsd late and heartily. un-
fortunately, when one considers
Betty'a dinners. But. you see, /
didn't know I was TO come In here
until after luncheon"
Yes. I know" he returned. and a
little thrill OF fear ran along my
nerves. Each chance word seemed
TO confirm the suspicion that my
meeting OF Allen Drake at Lillian's
home had been the result Of prear-
ranZement between my friend and
the diplomatic agent II 30. IL spell
cd danger somewhere for me, or
need for my servioGs. A little psy-
chic premonition discounted the iat-
ter hypothesis and strengthened the
former.
''NevsrSheless.- Mr.. Drake con-
rlnued, you really should Try to eat
something. A late luncheon should
u't mean anything TO a healthy
Young wcU;an Ike you Sure you're
not worrying about something2
IAIlian's attention was for the mo
gettv. who stood at her elbow. Mr..
brakes question was a murmLr cd
one. and for q moment thought IT
y,as simply O. continuation OF the lit
tie Irritation game which I suspected
he had been trying 10 play. But as
looked up at him saw that all
UChtness had gone from his man
uer. He was gazing at me with real
eoIicitude, and I read in his eyes
the same flash OF pity that had so
alarmed me IL LiIiian's.
haven't the same control over
INV face and eyes Rs is possessed by
lillian and Mr. Drake. and l do not
know what or terror or other emo
ton may have been written upon my
face But Mr.. Drake put out his
hand with a quick. involuntary mo-
lion. covered for an instant my own,
which I now saw was visibly shak-
ing. and released Il as quickly.
You poor child!" he said softly.
II thought 20. Now listen to me"
Don't do Il, Madge." Lillian in
corrupted with a note Of gayety fri
n, voice that I surmised was forced.
'I'm the party who's the official lis
toner around these digginEa Come
ON. let's adjourn TO the library. Bet
-y will bring the ices and coffee up
there"
I went up stairs with much the
feeling OF a criminal going to exc
cuti1n. L1lian's wonderful brown
toned Hilary has been the scene OF
many OF the dramatic moments Of
my life. some OF them terrible ex-
ueriencea. which have left indelibls
prints upon my memory. It seem ed
to my overstrained Imagination that
going 20 this room was a distinct
r,rcsaEe OF evil. even though my
common sense told me that IL was
IilllRn's invariable custom 70 have
her dinner coffee and dessert served
there or IN the white and crimson
living room
We ifscu ssed the ices silently. or
at least Lillian and Mr.. Drake did
could only pretend 20 eat mine. but
T drained the demi-tasse OF black
oofrse eagerly. poured myself a sec
ond and quaned II also. And when
Betty had removed the service I
turned 20 Lillian with every shred OF
self control torn from me.
please don't keep this farce up
any longer" I stor1ned. Something
has happened. and you're trying 10
prepare me 20 hear It But I must