South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-07-23
THE QUESTION LILLIAN ASKED
MADGE.


over half an hour. while Mother
q Graham fumed and sizzled because
the Breakfast dishes had not been
removed from the table.
IL was only my hint. dropped as a
last resort. that Lillian was ques-
tioning Katie concerning the events
OF the memorable night when Jim
had left Us. which finally quoted her
Nevertheless. she fred a grumolinS
iass shot 20 the effect that Lillian
might have waited until the break
fast dishes were done before taking
Katie away.
had hard work 90 keep from
cchoiug her lrritabilty-nOt, how
ever. from my concern for The
kitchen work. but because aside
Tfrom the interest I had IN kat.e's
revelations. I was so filed with
anazement that my little maid
should have chosen Lillian instead Of
me as the recipient of her momen-
ttous confidence. 1t was an astouish-
ment which. 90 my self-scorn. held
distinct traces OF piqued resentment.
suppose IL was feminine apDllca-
ton Of the old saying which deals
with a mans being hero TO his
+ valet. / had been wrapped for so
long In Katie's funny but sincere
alteration that IL jolted me a little
70 have her take so important a
secret TO Lillian, ignoring me alto
gother
At the end OF the half-hour. Lii
Ian came in search OF me. There
was a lock upon her face which
surprised me. as n she had Just un-
dergone some unexpected emotional
4 experience. and there were the dis
tinct traces Of tears In her eyes
tears from Lillian. who almost
never INDUCED in them.
Quieting Mother Graham.
II have sent Katie 10 her room. 80
she said abruptly. Il knew you
wouldn't mind. for she Is all IN
told her I'd see to the breakfast
dlshes-she knew Mother Graham
would be on the warpath about
thsm-and I must confess Ia like
some kind OF absorbing work for a
little while. I don't know when
I've beer so stirred by anything
come aong to the kitchen-we'n
get Mother Graham Quieted down
first-and then 1 can talk while we
work"
We did not need TO look long for
Mother Graham. She was moving
around the kitchen, guarding her
bandaged arm from knocking against
+ anything. and trying with her unin-
jured hand TO pile UP the breakfast
/ dishes.
oh. Motherl You mustn't do
/ thisw I exclaimed, genuinely afraid
that she might hurt herself.
Somebody's got to do IT," she re-
torted tartly, "and 1 haven't seen
f anybody else breaking any bones to
do e."
NOW. Mother Grahaml" Lillian
laid a privileged and effectiona;e
hand upon the elder woman's
shoulder. ''NTadge and. are just
waiting the chance 10 break our
bones out here. And Wen promise
TO rinse every dish properly with hot
water. and polish them until we can
see cur faces in them. II you'u only
so up stairs and rest"
My mother-in-law grinned reluct-
antly and glanced at us shrewdly.
You won't see anything very
cheerful" she observed acridly.
Judging from the looks OF both OF
you now Where's that ape OF a
girl2'
"Have You Guessed?"
II sent her 10 her room" Lillian
said i've had a session with her
she lowered her voice portentous-
questioning on that business
you understand"
She might have been the chief
figure in the third act of a melO-
drama in the gravity and emphasis
g her words and manner. But
Mother Graham swallowed every
thing eagerly. and without suspicion
shook her head sagely.
"Ah. yes. OF course" she said
"Wen. I suppose she viii have to
trest a while She'll bear watching.
mat girl. not that I think there's
any real harm en- her. but she's just
the footless kind to be made tool
ard a fool or She'll not put any
thing over on me. though"
She swept with stately mind ont
OF the kitchen. while Lillian closed
the door 20 keep my half-hysterical
laughter from reaching Mother Ora
hams ears.
IL cant help IT, Lillian" 7 said
alphabetically when I had pulled my
self together and had observed that
she was unsmiling. though not dis
approving I'll seem 20 want 20
laugh at everything today"
You're unstruns, hysterical." Lii
Nan diagnosed cody. What YOU
need IS a jolt. and I'm going 10 give
YOU one. Have You guessed yet why
Katie chose 20 break her swear 20
me instead OF 20 YOU
why. ] suppose she thought YOU
knew more about the thing. were the
leader and"
What utter rot" Lillian retorted
emphatically. You know that in
Sate's estimation there is no one in
The world so wise as you No. you'll
have 10 guess again. and when YOU
Ind out the real reason. as I JUST
did. youT fee, like standing uncover
ID before that girls grit and sacri-
ace
-here was such emotional earnest
ssss In LAllian'a tone as she spoke Of
Kaue's grit and sacrifice" that 7
beesn 90 have dim comprehension
4 OF the reason FOR my little maid 8
choice OF a cOn1dant
you mean" I Questioned, hest
tating
- mean" Lillian answered that
Katie fuzzy expects TO have the most
awful things imaginable happen 90
her because she broke her swear
and that the reason she wouldn't
confde in you, but chose me instead.
IL because thu abysmal brute who