South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-05-06
WHY LILLIAN TOOK Up THE
RATTTF FOR NIADGE.

Above the noise Of my throttled-
down engine I heard faint quick
lv smothered little chuckle from Lii
Ian. and the next instant her hand
touched my back as If inadvertently
when che moved forward on the rre-
tense OF making room for Bess Dean
III the tonneau of the car.
I do not think Bess noticed either,
but comprehended both, and knew
that Lillian was registering both
amusement and approval Of my ruse.
which emectuauy thwarted the girls
palpable purpose of trying 10 rouse
ms temper 10y talking at me.
YOU'D hardly qualify as motor
lorrv driver. Madge. II another war
should h.t U.S." Bess gibed as she de-
Scended from the seat beside me and
arranged herself beside Lillian in the
tonneau. I'm disappointed in you.
I've seen fat. fussy women of 80 who
couldn't stand anybody near them
when they were driving, but /
thought YOU were a better driver
and-a--better-
She drawied the last words slowly
and significantly 7 caught her mean
ing. and rejoiced that she could not
see my eyes. for I could not control
the hot anger that had leaped into
them I made no reply, however. but
throwing ~ my clutch. l sent the
car on again.
And then I heard Lillian's voice.
low. clear. incieive:
ANY lack of sportsmanship in
your friends must cause YOU great
anguish of mind Miss Dean"
An Encounter.
Just the slightest most delicate
stress ON the last pronoun. but with
power Of a stilleto thrust. Bess
Deans poise was not disturbed. TO
all outward seeming Her Taught
was like merry child's as she
answered.
Just uses me up for DAYS" she
agreed saylv "Oh. girls, Look at
that view across the hollow
From that moment she Chartered
almost constantly Of anything and
nothing light frothy babble Of which
/ understood the purpose Lillian's
stiletto point had struck home, and
had made her change her tactics.
That she was inwardly raging at
both of us I knew. and was equally
positive that. did the slightest Op-
portunity arise. she would annoy us
in any way she POSSIBLY could. But
at least her claws were sheathed for
the time and with Lillian beside her
I was quite sure that I would not be
further badgered during the drive.
Thankful indeed was I that 1 had
persuaded Lillian to accompany us.
without her I would have been de-
fenCeless against Bess Deans harass-
ing verbal thrusts. and I felt that the
under-the-surface mental controver-
sy with the girl was just what my
| friend needed to divert her mind
/ from contemplation of the vagaries
! Of Robert Savarin's jealousy. II was
/ with a mind at ease that I shut both
/ friend and heckler from my con-
sciousness and put my whole atten-
/ ton upon my driving
1t wa well that / did so. for a mon
/ ster Agricultural show at Kingston
/ had made the curving roads un-
usually fun Of cars. many Of them
! bent on speeding. and. therefore. on
I passing cAlf AdA EDaIE dl any liAlll :
less than 40 miles an hour. did not
mind a car passing me on the level
/ stretches, but when around the dan
gerous curves they nosed up, COM
. polling me 20 get over with two Of
my wheels but a few inches from the
edge of the precipice my blood chill
ed
Bess Dean Retorts.
This happened twice, and when. as
( I approached a particularly danger
I Gus SPOT known as Dead Mans
( Curve % I heard the sharp honk OF
a horn behind me. I deliberately
kept my car in the middle of the
road so there was no possible chance