New Britain herald., 1921-12-30
How Madgc Avoided all Encounter
 With Bcss Dean

from Lillian's door with so disconso- late an nir l could moi forhoar quick, furtve glance at her,
 That she was suffering because of some scene between them during their drive, following the call of Col Travers, I was sure l feared that the incident just closed with the artist 8 solemn and melancholy exit, would still further deprcss her. Rnt though her face was sohcr enough as she watched his rolrcatiug figure, l caught --yes, | was not mistakcn--a distinct twinkle of amusement in her eyes.
 II was gone almost as soon as it appeared, but 1 had seen it, and could have whooped for joy. Lillian's infalible sense of humor had not de- serted her. and felt assured that she would soon recover her usual sane poised outlook upon life and its prob lems, especially if she carried out her plan of returning home with me.
 Ii is my theory that any two persons who love each other, sincerely, whether they be husband and wife. sweethearts, mother or father and adult child, or brother and sister, need an occasional dose of absence from each other. Everyday association with no change of mental menu, is very apt to result in a case of indigestion of the affections. And Lillian-I said to myself-needed, especially just now an absence Of sentimental q distinct presence of some fresh bracing inter est, such as her profession of her government work would give her.
 Iiilian's Comment
 I knew better. however. than to be- tray by even glance. my knowledge or my opinions and in another min ute, with a tacit ignoring of the incl dent just ended. we were kneeling in front of Marion, checking off the measurements her mother wished.
 We finished just as the auto horn proclaimed Dicky's return from the garage, and. stopping only for our hats and coats we went to the en- trance gate. As we passed the dining room we saw Bess Dean cooly finish ing her desert, while Ted. standing be- side her. gazed down at her face with all his foolish boyish heart in his eyes.
 
 you?" we heard his young voice full of pain demand hoarsely, and we heard her cooing mocking:
 Why, TeddyEins, don't you"
 Then we hurried on, scorning to lis ten, but with our hearts filled with sympathy for the lad, and anger against the woman who had played with his heart.
 Its time she went away" Lillian said between her teeth, and I echoed her comment, as Bess appeared on the veranda-cool, insouciant palpably careless of the mental suffering be- trayed by the boy who was carrying her suitcase and bag 10 the car.
 And then we were of, with Lillian in the tonneau. and Bess, by her own choice seated beside mo, leaning out from the car and waving an airy goodby to Ted. standing forlorny at the gate
 l was in no pleasant mood, for l felt that l had two well-grounded griev- ances against her One was the deter mined effort she had made to secure Dicky's attentions at my expense, solely to gratify her vanity and an ancient fancied grudge against me. The other was her more cupable per formance in amusing herself with Ted Cosgrove's palpable infatuaton for her I had seen Mrs Cosgrove's eyes at the girls departure go from the pain-flled face of her son to the laughing, careless countenance of the departing guest, and then rest on mine and l had wondered if she blamed me for her boys unhappiness. \ could not censure her if she did. for a had been at my request that she had admitted the girl to her family of paying guests.
 "Carbrrctor's Acting Up"
 I think Bess Dean guessed some thing of my thoughts for when she could no longer see the Cosgrove home she strengthened herself in her seat and gave short little laugh.
 Hope you aren't regretting having sponsored me mp here, Madge, dear" she said maliciousy.
 Not in the least" lied hcroica fly.
 She laughed again with even more Of an edge than before.
 "You're an artistic one, I'll say that for you," she gihed, and I suddenly saw what she was trying to do. She had failed i'm the purpose which had brought her to the Cosgrovc home and her vanity was still unavengcd,
 Indeed, it had received a number of fresh blows at Diclys hands, not the least which I knew were his re- fusal 10 motor her to Rhincbeck. and l., Another count in her resentment against me. l guessed, was the fact that had been able to keep my pacidity, my prctcnCc of cordial friendship to her, absolutely unstirred by any appearance Of rancor
 That she meant to be irritating as possible during the journey down to RhiucbaCk 1 was sure l wondered if my nerves would stand the double strain Of driving and listening to the ingenious series of tauuts which knew were trembling on her lips.
 With a sudden impulse | drew the car to tho sidc of thc road and stop ped 1 knew that she vas ignorant of the mechanism of thccar, and [ re- lied ou that ignorance.
 "Nhats th cmattor2" she demand cd arrogautIv. for all the world, l told myself as if sine had hirel the car for her trip.
 "Carhrotor's acting mp a Iittlo." I explained laconicauy. Probably won't amount to much Nut aa I may have to shift gears frequently and in a hurry. cant havc any one on tho front sent so please enf in the ton