South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-02-13

umphaut CLEAN bon her eyes
With unwilling admiration
mingled with resentment ] realized
that without seeming TO do SO she
had made 10 possible for Dicky 10
be told Of Grace Diapers attempt
TO drown me without my having any
voice or blame IN the matter. Ny
father was bound by no promise or
compact. and Lillian had given him
the information unfettered by condi-
tions. I knew that il he ever con
sidered it necessary to use the
weapon which had been thrust into
his hands ne would do so. and I
realized with relief that my respon-
sibility was ended.
Ny father bowed TO Lillian cere-
mOniously.
II am sOrry TO disagree with you.
Airs. Underwood. ne said. But I
cannot deny that ] approve my
daughters decision. She should not
tell him"
Was 10 my imagination, or did he
stress the pronoun ever so slightly.
did I see a swift. significant flash of
understanding leap from his eyes 20
LillianS? She had been watching
him intently as ne spoke. had turned
away her eyes with an intangible
effect Of bored disapproval as he
finished. but ] was practically Ger
tain Of her real meaning
''You see. Lillian" spoke abrupt
Is. my responsibility in the matter
is ended"
I looked directly and significantly
into her eyes az spoke, for though
] realized her skill in circumventing
what she was pleased TO call my
"bOmb-Droof mental cellar" / was
feminine enough 20 wish her TO know
that IN Dicky's parlance I was com
pletely on"
She shot a shrcwd glance al me.
tinged with amusement. II I had
hoped for a mad instant to discom-
ht her L realized my folly at her
look. Then she smiled in conciua-
tory fashion ut me. ono Of her
friendly smiles. which ] walld defy
anybody living 20 resist
That il as it should be. dear
child" she said lovingly. "You
have enough 10 bear just to know
that you have to share the same
world with this Draper cobra. with
out having to worry your head about
ways and means to scotch her"
She turned to my father with an
air that somehow dismissed me.
felt little like a child that had
been kissed ard told TO run away
and play with her dolls vet curl
Ously enough I felt no resentment.
Lillian Is SO biz Of brain and heart
so sinEle-purposed i'm anything she
does that one would as soon think Of
resenung the Ieaping Of a race horse
toward his goal. brushing aside
everything in his way as OF feeling
hurt at her little way Of shutting
ont everyone else from her attention
save the persons with whom she is
working
And yeti caught myself wonder
ing II that very quality might not
nave Jared perceptibly upon Will
Morton and Harry Underwood
/ put the thought from me sharply
as disloyal to the best friend 7 ever
had or hope 10 have. and gave my
attention 20 the words she was
speaking TO my father.
If YOU don't mind" she said de-
ferentially. yet the words had all the
effect Of an ultimatum. leaving the
Diclly-bird To me. have pretty
strong bunch that I know how 20
manage that particular end of this
muddle."
Ny father looked az her keenly.
then smiled with more than "a little
RdmirinS amusement i'm his gaze.
81 fancy you do" ne said. "and 7
shall be glad to keep ont Of it,"
So far, so good" Lillian returned
briskiy. then she crossed TO me and
kissed me fondly
Dear child she said softly.
don't be offended, but so upstairs
and let Marion give YOU another CUP
or tea. I've got TO talk over some
things with you father. and. frankly.
I don't want YOU here. You would
hamper me. No" i'm answer Go my
frightened glance and quickly out
stretched hand. there's nothing
new but-weu, I wish you'd go"
The last words were uttered all
most petulautly. and I hurried out
of the living room docnely for /
knew by experience that this par
ticular tone with Lillian meant
something or unusual importance
and OF need for haste
As mourtcd the stairs Won
dered IL she had told me tha whole
truth when she had said there was
nothing new.
Marion received me ioyously. and
tried TO foreet IN the warm. whim-
steal welcome 81 my friends small
daughter the menace Co ms happi-
ness which Lillian and my father
we're discussing downstairs But
evidently failed. for after the child
had given me my tea she camc over
10 me. and with an accent and man
ner that reminded me forcibly OF
her mother. said softly
I'm afraid your head hurts.
Auntie Madse Wouldn't YOU like
10 lie down and have me battle and
rub it, I do mothers often. She
saws I'm better than mas-bother,
I never can pronounce that word.
But anyway. f. means woman that
rubs and pounds YOU when YOU
ache"
"A nlasseusec' I suggested. smil-
ing involuutarily az the chud's pretty
peulauce.
That's ir," she said with Iudi-
crousiy relieved air. Don't YOU wan,
30 see what q gOod one 7 am o"
IT think 7 do. Marion" 7 smiled
az her with real gratitude and relief.
for I knew instinctivey that LII
han's daughter couldn't be awkward