South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-03-20

me- ueF mana upon the door or the
car drawing room. her head thrown
back against the collar Of the won
derful wrap which 1 knew she so
coveted.
one Of Dickys favorite slang ex-
presslons flashed into my mind. "She
looks like million dollarsi" he is
apt % say Of any feminine display
and I quickly admitted that Miss
Brown looked like billion at least.
The soft fur Of the wrap just suited
her brunette beauty. forming a Won
derful frame for her flashing eyes
and brilliant coloring. no less effec-
tive because Of my knowledge Of its
evanescent nature.
"By-by. dearie." She waved her
hand mockingiy. Little Rita will
bring back some mamma from the
ravens 70 you"
I'm afraid you're a trihe mixed
IN your Biblical allusiou." 1 retorted
E,tyly. wondering az the time where
] found the strength 20 answer her
lightly The GOODNESS OF her effrOn-
terry, the Crassness Of her selfshness
the coarseness OF her manner were
fast fraying my nerves.
That she had donned the wonder
ful wrap not because OF real need.
but because of the chance OF meet
ing Mai. Grantland while arrayed in
g. I well knew That she would
contrive 10 attract as much attention
from the other passengers as she
possibly could knew also. The fact
that this course would make it i'm
possible for me 20 put the cloak on
during the trip south was, / was
sure. one OF her motives in thus
Haunting her apparent ownership
of the cloak. As the door closed be-
hind her smiled sardo1ically at the
thought that her energy in this par
ticular direction was wasted. I
wasn't apt 10 put on the wrap. the
wearing Of which had so aroused
Dicky's anger.
/ finished dressing and rang for
the porter TO make up the room. A
glance at my watch had told me that
Mother Graham was no doubt
awake, and impatient for me TO
come in and help her with Junior.
] had taken the precaution to
scribble down the number OF her
drawing room the night before. and
an inquiry OF the porter when he
her room was two cars ahead Of
her doom was two GAYS ahead Of
mine.
I was foolishly glad that IL was
not 20 the rear Of mine, for I would
not have 20 pass Dickys 5erth on my
trip 10 il. That he was still furiOusly
angry with me I didn't doubt and I
had no wish to meet him until his
anger had time TO cool.
Luck was with me. however. I
met no one. acquaintance or stran-
ger. until 1 knocked at the door OF
my mother-in-law's room, and was
admitted by that august lady in all
tho majesty OF her gray merino
wrapper. Her hair was smoothly
coiffed. every detail Of her toilet was
complete Gown to the last shoe
string. I saw her glance critically
at me. and knew that she was max
ing her usual appraising survey OF
my appearance.
Its time you got here" she said
tartly as I greeted her perfunctorily
and dived past her 10 the lower
berth where Junior was sCrambling
up. evidently with the determination
70 come TO me, and utterinE that
soft little call. Mamma. mamma
the most marvellously thrilling Of all
sounds 10 every mother.
Richard Second has been awake
Cor hours" she went on. L smiled
~ her unconscious eXaggeration, for
] we'll knew that more than a few
minutes Of restlessness upon the
boys part would have sent his de-
voted grandmother scurrying TO md
porter through whom she could
send a peremptory summons for me.
He must be starving the poor
gamb." she continued, ignoring the
Tact that Junior with his baby arms
around my neck was chattering baby
talk and laughing contentedly. why
didn't you bring his stuff with you
instead OF having 70 make a trip
back for it2"
nearly dropped Junior in my
kstonishment, and turned n bewild-
cred face toward her.
Why what do YOU mean?' I
asked. L didn't have Juniors food
with me"
Her face turned positively gray
with frightened anger.
Don't YOU dare 20 stand there ana
tell me a think like that she said.
~ gave it 20 Richard 90 carry out
20 the tax. and they must have TAX
en- e out with your things, for when
] went through my baggage this
morning that grip was not here. You
certainly don't mean that there's no
food for this child this morning.
ANY mother would recognize,
think. the utter panic which seized
me ar the discovery that my little
child's food had been left behind
I readily comprehended how II
had happened When katie's acct
dent had compelled me TO stay at
the house until I could ascertain the
extent Of her injuries. Dicky must
have inadvertently taken out the
small grip containing the babys
food when ne had deposited my bag
upon the veranda. Whether he had
dropped it or ]. not observing IL I'm
my haste. had left 10 behind. I had
TO means OF knowing nor had
time 20 speculate upon the causes of
the catastrophe. for such Il was 10
me. There was but one thing 70 be
done and that was 20 obtain food
Ter my little lad as soon as possible.
I answered my mother-in-law' $
frightened query soothingly.
Probably Dicky has IL with his
things" 7 said. with far more a.
surance In my tone than 7 felt. Il
viii go back and see AS soon as
have dressed Junior