South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-05-21

convince Katie OF the excuse for
Um's actions. But I qualIed az the
thought OF the interview before ne.
The glimpse I had had OF Jlaa.s face
dtd not hold out any promise 10 me
Of a pleasant conversation. Lillian
came 70 the rescue.
Suppose I ask jim" she said
And Katie. do you go 70 the house
with Mrs Graham and help Mrs.
T-cer get US AL something 10 eat.
We're about starved 70 death"
With her unerring prescience. Lii
liam had struck the right note wlth
Katie by bringing in Mrs. Ticer's
name That my little maid was
jealous OF Mrs. TIGERS culinary skill
and care Of me l had long suspect
cd Nothing could have so thor
0ughly reused her from thoughts OF
her own terrors as the mention OF
the kindly neghbor woman.
"vot you say?" she demanded.
Help dot AIissis TIGER? Not by s7un
barrelful, / go get supper qveeck
nOw-dot 9Iissls Ticer she help me-"
She drew herself up superbly and
swept out Of the door without wait
ing for me 10 accompany her. Lii
Ian and looked at each other. then
she laughed outright.
Katie Is distinctly herself again"
Lillian commented dryly
I'D better go right IN" I replied
worriedly There's likely 10 be a
battle royal in the kitchen If there
isn't some sort OF police protection
present.
Lillian put a restraining hand on
my arm.
"You little know your mother-in-
law.' she said lightly. a small
matter like something 70 eat isn't
going to interfere with the proper
changing Of beds and arrangements
Of rooms, when last saw her she
was walking behind the stately. i'm
perturable Mrs. TIGER. trying 10
hurry her. She won't think OF the
kitchen for another fifteen minutes.
and by that time Katie viii have
things in fall swing"
Did you see my sister-tn-law 3" 1
asked. perfectly willing 10 delay my
entrance into the house
Lillian Has. Hunch.
looks as If she'd been set 70 jell, and
the process had been thoroughly sue
cessful?"
You've described her exactly"
laughed
Then she's in the big living room.
reading. Pardon me for presuming
10 criucise your 1n-laws,' but I no
Hkee her"
"Critfcising relatives-in-law is a
IegaIized sport" I returned.
And I don't often do it. as you
know, but a woman like that always
gives me an insistent impulse to prod
her with a hatpin just 10 see If she'd
jump"
Go as far as you like" I said
But. seriously, Lillian, 1 ought TO
be in the house"
But. seriously. Madge." she MINI
licked. you shall be there in another
ninute-after I've spoken my little
piece"
I seated myself in the nearest
chair. and folded Iny hands in mock
resignation. l was so tired ana
nervous that I had 70 strike a note
Of foOlery. 1t was either that or
tears.
Very well, Madame Chairman"
L said meekly.
Lillian looked at me keenly.
"Don'r YOU dare to let yourself
down until after that stunt tonight, ."
she said. with a note Of sharpness
which she seldom uses. BY it 1
judged the importance 10 her OF the
/ expedition we were TO share with
Katie
I Strengthened in my chair. and
snapped my hand 10 my forehead
in military salute.
ct won't" I promised seriously.
and her face and voice relaxed.
Pm probably as crazy as a loon, ="
+ she said. but I've got one Of my
/ lunches about the affair OF Katie's,
and it's like fnding money in the
I road TO have a chance 20 listen 70
/ the performance tonight, unseen and
unheard But if Dicky knows about
I il he certainly Will spill the beans.
for he'll take the highland mighty
1 masculine attitude that there's dang
/ or for us. that we must have Jim
and himself with US"
Just the Thing
Not Jim. under any circum-
\ stances" I said hastily, with a quick
flashing back Of my memory 10 the
| things Katie had asked me 10 re-
F.. call
If Lillian had any curiosity as 10
my meaning she didn't betray IT,
"I can manage jim" she said
/ confidently. land keep him from