South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-07-24

own brain, but which my vague
knowledge OF the nearby villages had
hampered.
"You-are-wonderful-Mrs. Lu-
kens," I exclaimed. And I shall
follow your advice 10 the .etter You
don't know how much you have
helped me-"
I'm very glad that I could De OF
service" she said, perTunctorily. and
l saw that her natural dimdence had
triumphed over the excited interest
which she had given TO my problem.
The horn OF a taxi punctuated her
words, and we both moved quickly
toward the door.
There he is" she said, and then
she turned TO me, seized my hands
in hers. pulled my head down and
kissed my cheek. I would not have
been more surprised If some trrnze
statue had come 10 life and had en-
braced me, for while she is brisk,
kindly and efficient, she has always
impressed me as being distinctly IN
emotional.
"Goodby, my dear" she said. you
have been like a ray OF sunshine
since you have been here. Don't for
get me. and come back to US when
you can"
I'm not likely to forget kindness
such as yours, Mrs. Lukens." I said
sincerely. returning her kiss. And
then I turned to pick up my baggage.
stopping involuntarily at the insist
ent ringing Of the telephone bell. i
think the same thought struck both
Of US, that in some way the sum-
mons concerned me.
I'll answer it," Mrs. Luzens whis-
pered. IF it's your husband. I'll say
haven't seen you, and do your
getaway instantly. II it should be
anything else Of Importance for you
10 know I'll nod to you, and you can
wait and see what 1t is"
watched Mrs. Lukens' face tense
ly as she answered the telephone.
Ready for either a rush TO the wait
ing taxi outside, or a sedate advance
to the telephone, according 10 the
person at the other end of the wire,
1 waited her signal.
She did not need to give the nod
she had specified, however, for her
first words gave me all the informa-
ton I needed.
Betty Kane?" she said, evidently
repeating for my benefit the name
just given her. "How-do-you-do ?
Yes, Mrs. Graham's right here"
was at her side when she had
finished speaking, and put the tele-
| phone received to my ears in wonder
ing trepidation. Naturally, 1 asso-
ciated a message from the crippled
woman with the man named Tim,
who had brought the letter from
Grace Draper to me at Betty Kane's
/ home.
Mrs. Graham" Betty Kan's rich
voice sounded melodiously over the
wire.
Yes. Miss Kane. How fortunate
/ that you should have telephoned me
at just this moment. have Deen
called away, am returning north to-
/ day, and l would otherwise not have
/ been able 10 communicate with you
/ again. And 1 do so regret not being
able to see you"
The words sounded perfunctory In
my own ears even though I knew
/ that ever syllable was truthful.
was sorry not 20 see the crippled
girl again. She had appealed both
/ u my syylpathies and my liking very
strongly. But I knew, and guessed
l that she knew also. that I was talk
ing against time in a childish, invol-
untary attempt TO ward off any bad
news she might have for me.
Going away! so soon." Her voice
was full of startled, genuine regret
"Oh, indeed. 1 am sorry 10 hear that
more sorry not TO see you againl But
that is our lot down here. our
friends fit back home when the
spring comes. You are surely com
ing back some timer"
Next year, If I possibly can" ]
told her.
I'm so glad she answered, with
evident sincerity. then. slowly: "But
I mustn't forget what I cane you
for. Am I right in thinking you are
interested in the movements Of my
\ former Sunday school pupil?"
\ 1 paid a mental tribute to her dis
erection in refraining from mention
ing Tins name, as promptly ans.
wered:
Indeed I am
II thought So" she said. cit has
just come to my ears that the per
son in question has stopped work
down here, and Is going north. ]
have no idea why, but I thought you
might wish to know the fact"
Il cannot thank you enough" j
said steadily, although the news has
upset me far more than the simple
fact OF Tins going north warranted
And now must saw eood-by, and
hurry away"
"Good-by, good luck and God bless
you!' she quoted from the farewell
messages given the soldiers, and as
put up the receiver l had a sudden
swift vision of the patient, gifted
crippled woman sitting in her vince
chair. and sending me her messag,
OF good will. I felt as IL I had re-
ceived an accolade.
With hasty farewell to Mrs
Lukens l stepped into the waitinl
taxi.
Is there another road 70 Hamle
besides that leading past the rail
road station and through the center
OF the village? ?" I asked.
'of course there is,' Mrs. Luken
called 70 the driver. Go over pas
the Curtis place and then turn dowr
n the Hamlet road"
"All right" the driver returned
and in few more minutes I had lef
Cedar Crest behind and was speeding
through a road I had never seen be
fore, but which, like all the other
in that section. was bordered BY tn,
lofty, long-leafed pines.