New Britain herald., 1921-12-14

with him, and noting his agitation. so unlike hig usual~ gcntlcncss anf 1 placdiH-l WAS actualIy afraid to an. swcr him iu any way which he might ] ronslruc Ue disnppro}al of hla opinion He evidently was detcrmIucd, how- ever, tp elicit some sort os opinion from me, and when for n long min ute l remained silent. pretending to busy myself with the rcarrangement Of the biz cluster of wild flowers which Mrs Cosgeoyes verunda nl~ ways hoIda, he gave a little short laugh which hold anything but mirlh in it,
 'I suppose you think I am plan ming 10 be domestic tyrant," he said, with more than touch of bitterness. 'lSut cant you see that if Lillian keeps on ovcrtaNing her strength as she has for year that she is either going to be q dead woman or a hope less, helpless invalid? You are her best friend I wonder that you do not see it, But you women Of that tenn pcrament are all alike You are like young racehorsc8--you run till you drop, and you fight any hint of q rcin.",
 An Extra Cup of Coffee.
 There was no refuge save in non- sense. l laughed lightly as l put my head on one side, scrutinizing the flowers in front of me.
 "You'rc not a very close observer Robert" l said, "or you wouldn't put me in the same category with Lillian I'm incuraby indolent. Lillian said only the other day that l was infect ing her with the germ. Perhaps shem come down with a malignant attack of laziness. One never knows. Have you breakiasted 2"
 That he recognized my attempt to switch the subject l knew by the glim- mer of a smile in his eyes, no hint of which, however, appeared in his sober face. But hailed with relief even this slight indication that his tense, som bre mood was Tightening.
 NO have you?' l knew that he meant to include Lillian in his qucs- ton, and l answered accordingly
 Lillian and I breakfasted hastily just before she left. But l know she will be as glad as I to have an extra cup of Mrs, Cosgrove's coffee with you if you'll wait for us"
 There They Are Now !"
 That will be delghtful," he said courteously, but with the most inn personal pcrfunctoriness and I saw that he was watching the road tensely for Lillian's return. That mine would be distinctly "gooseberry' role at the breakfast table was plainly to be seen. But I did not propose to per init Lillian to face Roberts present mood until she had been prepared for it. I was confident that he had regained sufficient mastery of himself to show her no hint of his disap- proval in my presence, and I meant to see her alone before he had any opportunity for a private chat with her.
 There was a batter of little feet around the corner of the house and Junior trotted up to us, closely fol- lowed by Marion. The two children had been given their breakfast by Mrs. Cosgrove in order that Lillian | they were both in joyous mood, for breakfast in the spacious kitchen is a rare treat to them.
 "Where's mother?" Marion de mand ed worredly.
 Were muvver?' Junior echoed dutifu1ly-he is at the stage where he echoes everything impartially- then his little face took on the look which entrances every mother, the look which means brain process going on behind a little child's eyes.
 "Oor muvver don. Mine muvver here" he announced proudly, running into my outstretched arms for an ecstatic hug and a shower of kisses, Robert Savarin drew Marion down on his lap as he answered her question.
 Mothers gone driving, sweet heart-'
 Gone driving :" the child echoed in amazement. "Who took her?"
 Robert Savarin looked at me, and with a little mental anathema at him, for the undue emphasis he had man. aged to place on the incident l an- swered as casually as possible:
 Col. Travers of the state troopers dear had to see your mother on some business, and they are driving while they talk. They will be back soon. Indeed, there they are now
 Col. Travers' car drew up at the gate and the officer, alighting, helped Lillian to the ground with impressive defere ntial courtesy.