New Britain herald., 1922-09-08
The Way Lillian Took Madge
 "In Hand.n


 "In Hand"
 Lillian twitched the corner of { table covering a bit impatiently put the query to her concerning { stiletto with which Smith had wou, cd Tom Chester, and I saw that some reason she did not wish to bwer me.
 How do I know whether 1t W. poisoned?' she demanded erosslN then as she saw me flush, she addel ,ontritely:
 Forgive me, Madge, but 1t won 10 yon any good to know"
 T must know" I returned stul bornly, T can't explain to you juS how I feel about it. But--dont' ycl fee-if Tom Chester had not leaped before me just as he did I woulA have received that blow, and-what- ever Is happening to him now would be happening to me instead? 2"
 Lillian started perceptibly, and I caught feeting look of horror in her eyes.
 You surely ought to receive the medal for Imagining awful things" she said pettishly.
 Then horrible things are happen ing to him I said quickly. Lillian, you must tell me what you know or shall go straight TO the kitchen.'
 "You Mean"
 T shouldn't advise you to do that" she retorted dryly. But as long as you insist upon it, will tell you what I think Remember. I know nothing. But preparations such as you father made point to but one thing, poison in wound Remember he tied Mir. Chester's arm tightly he asked if there was fire in the kitchen, hesent Allen for physician. But if there was poison upon that stiletto, and If Smith is the gentleman I think he is, it's a cinch there was, something drastic will have to be done before Petit gets here. or young Chester will be dead man. Therefore the something drastic is no doubt going on at the present time"
 l felt the blood leave my cheeks.
 You meau-" I whispered
 She rose, squared her shoulders, and faced me disapprovingly.
 If you must have it, I mean a red hot poker and sharp knife" she said.
 Fortunately, those wounds are not deep, and they may be able to check the action of the poison. Let us hope so."
 I paid no attention to the signif- canoe of her last words then, so en- grossed was l by the horror of the picture she had painted for me.
 "But." I faltered, they have no an- aesthetic"
 Naturally. not" she retorted. "But for goodness sake stop talking or thinking about it. It is only shor thing, at the worst. and young Ches- ter may thank his stars that two such seasoned veterans a S your father and Allen Drake happened to be on tho job. If they hadn't it's an undertaken and not doctor the poor lad would need by now.
 "Are you sure their treatment will save him. I asked tremulously, re membering now what she had said about checking the action of the poison.
 Nt T am far from sure. If that stiletto was poisoned. there are ten chances to one against Tom Chester's recov- cry"
 Madge Steels Herself
 swayed toward her. putting my hand out blindly, "Oh! Lillian" I walled. How hor- rible Think, he did it for me- and if he had not, would be-oh." She took me by the shoulders and shook me as if l were a refractory child. Will you stop this?" she de- manded. Its on the lap of the gods now, and not one tear or word can change it. And if you ask me, I think it's a pretty poor return for Tom Chester's Sacrifice for you to go tc pieces instead of steeling yourself to meet any emergency that may come.' Thank you, Lilliar," I said quietly. You won't have any more trouble with me. What do you want me to do first ?" She had not taken her hands from my shoulders, and she drew me to-