South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-05-02
THE DONG-DISTANCE PHONE
CALL THAT CAME FOR BESS
DEAN

Long distance for me? Who on
earth can it be- Oh, I hope nothing
has happened"
If Bess Deans confusion at Mrs.
Cosgrove's announcement was not
natural il was a most clever and
creditable imitation. Lillian's eyes
and mine told each other that, and
I found myself doubling the sound
ness of cur theory that she had sent
= telegram in the early morning,
instructing that she be summoned
to leave the Cosgrove farmhouse.
She rose and walked swiftly to
the telephone, and as / had my first
chance 10 inspect her complete cos
tums-she had been seated when
we came in-I gave another swift,
turtive Glance at Lillian and caught
a compromising twitch of her
cvclide in return. For Bess Dean
was attired for travelling, from her
modish silk blouse TO her natty
brown pumps. and her skirt be-
iongod to the travelling suit she had
worn upon the day OF her arrival,
and which we had seen but once or
twice since She had divided her
sartorial time between her sport
clothes, which she much fancied.
and fl11y summer gowns for the
days when no climbing or fishing
trips were scheduled.
What Is It?"
The travelling suit to Lillian. to
me. TO Dicky and. I guessed, TO the
Cosgroves also. spelled but one
thing, Bess Deans previous knowl-
edge of the telephone call. at which
she had just shown such naive sur
prise.
think we all listened shameless
Is to the one-sided telephone con-
versation. I know I did and was
sure that the girl had purposely left
the doors open between the dining
room and the sitting room, where
the telephone vas installed.
YES. this is Miss Dean. oh. Miss
Edwards? Wha is it Why! I don't
understand. l thought next Tuesday.
7 was sure that was the date you
wrote me ! have the letter. But. Of
course. no matter how the mistake
occurred. I'll get there the minute l
can. I'm sorry 1t happened. Oh. yes,
I'll bring the letter. Good by"
The receiver clicked on the hook,
and she came back into the dining
room with the most realistic imita-
lion OF a reused temper l ever have
seen. her eyes held angry sparks,
and her cheeks were deeply flushed.
That horrid old cat"
She sat dow 10 her interrupted
breakfast. While VIC all looked at her
With curious interest. But Dicky
was the only one who spoke.
4 infer. little one" he drawled,
that YOU are a bit peeved at some
unfortunate member Of your we'll
known and gentle sex"
I'D Ike TO wiring her neck"
Bess Dean retorted viciously, then
with every appearance Of virtuous
indignation she elaborated her
theme.
Dicky Sidcstcrs.
The Edwards dame" she said
disdaIufully. lis a sort OF Man Fri
day for the principal OF the school
am 20 waste nv fair young life
upon this year. ire principal dis
tinctly stated in her letter 70 me
that school cid not Jegin until next
week. And here this teak calls me
down over the telephone for not be-
ing there. s.ys school has opened.
that she wrote me the letter her
self. and there could be no mis-
take. and sc forth and SC on. I'd like
10 see her IA e when I show the
principal her letter fer I'm not 60
ing 10 monkey witt ner one min
ute"
You're perfectly right" Dicky
said emphaucally. Never deal with
a mere minion. Assert your rights.
I'm proud OF you."
l. -