New Britain herald., 1922-03-28
The Reason Lillian AnNiously
 Awaited Katherine.

"Belieye me, you are some welcome lady, even if you do look almost toe disrcputablc to be permitted in so re- spcctable a domicile as this"
 Such was Lillian's characteristic greeting of me when Dicky and reached home. triumphantly escortine Katie. whom Dicky rushed straight to his mothers room. guessing that the sight of the dependable maid would be the fidgety old invalids best tonic. Mother Grahams criticism of Katie Is as unceasing as Tonnyson $ brook, but we all have learned she she is lost without the volatile little maid In the house.
 That's a fine welcome" said with pretended resentment, ito have invidi- ous comments made upon my appear ance, instead Of thankful paeans at my escape from a fractured skull"
 But the black eye is such a pip pin !" laughed Lillian, one of whose little ways it is never to proffer the usual sympathy to an injury or illness not dangerous, and which she cannot help in any way. Yet there is no one so prompt with necessary aid and comfort. But she detests any com ment upon her own ailments, or sym pathy with them, unless she is ser iously i'll. and I think she judges every one else by her own standard.
 l made a wry face.
 50 I have been assured quite ire quently by my husband" I returned dryly.
 Lillian laughed mischievously.
 With the Dickybird on the job, do not doubt you are a bit fed up with comments on it. she said. "so I'll let you off. But as soon as you've satisfied yourself that Junior has his usual complement of legs and arms oh I've seen the anxious glances you're casting toward the upper floor you're to come to my room and tell me the tale of your adventures Mrs. Ticer has promised dinner in half an hour, but if you don't finish before"
 Madge Explains to Lillian.
 T can tell you all,' I burlesqued melodramatiac1ly, fin five minutes" and when after removing the dust of my journey, rapturously fondling my sleepy little chap, and paying solicit ous visit to my mother -in-law's room, I found my way back to Lillian. I ful- filled my promise, for I made my &C., count of everything preceding my ar rival at the hotel as sketchy as possi- gle. adhering strictly to the version Dicky had so skilfully concocted for me.
 The consciousness that I was keep @f the mysterious foreigner whose atten- tions on the train had so annoyed me made that part of my recital a halt ing performance. I felt Lillisn's keen eyes upon my face. and I wondered If she had any suspicion that I was withholding anything from her.
 But whatever she thought she made no comment, except a merry laugh or two at my description of the scene in the restaurant in which Katie and the little waiter played leading roles, until I had finished. Then she suddenly leaned over and kissed me, rare caress from Lillian.
 7. "Shc's My Ace"
 "If that blow had happened to strike your temple or your eye, we might not be quite 50 hilarious she explained. Then, with characteristic swiftness, she changed the subject. What frame of mind is Katie in 2" she asked. Has she still the door- ous complex? From my brief glimpse of her. I fancied she had shed it.
 Katie is very much herself again" I smiled, repeating the girls comment concerning "Jeems' possible return.
 T wonder"-Lillian looked thought ful-''if she could be brought to real ize that the oath that man made her take under duress was not binding
 'I doubt it." I answered promptly "He bound her by all the supersti- tions she knows, and that's quite col lection.
 'He must be a countryman of hers Lillian commented, darting glance at me.
 Probably Is" I returned imper- turbably. Have there been any more developments concerning him?"
 None, except that he is getting bet ter altogether too fast to suit me. If Katherine isn't too tired when she gets here, I'u going to have Dr Petit rush her over to the hospital the very next day. We can't afford to waste