New Britain herald., 1922-05-23
Why Madge Worried About
 Lillian,

Lillian laughed lightly when the door had closed upon Tom Chester
 Did you see his eyes" she asked merriy, when l told him to see Briggs at o'clock In the morning? 2"
 "Yes, I saw them, answered bit shortly l am afraid, for again l had felt tinge of resentment at the amusement she apparently found in young MT. Chester's boyish outlook upon life.
 She shot quick glance at me. swift as a rapier's flash and as cut ting, but made no other comment come too near blazing grate fire and scared bey face.
 Come to bed sleepy-head." she chanted. and l saw that she meant to ignore my little exhibition Of tenn per, so l slrded my brain accordingly to take her cue
 Indeed, I shall be glad to do that little thing" l answered lightly and with another rapierlke glance at me she smiled approvingly. I'm glad 10 see that Richard Is himself again." she said cryptically. and went on rapidly without giving me a chance to reply, T can give you only q few hours real sleep" she said, for Tom Chester will bring Mir Briggs straight over here-before breakfast. l imasine-and I want you with me while I talk to him. So set your alarm clock for five"
 I obeyed her injunction. and was awakened with a jerk by the shrill pealing of the clock and lay struggling with my overpowerine sleepiness for several minutes before I could overcome it and get out Of bed.
 "I wish I Knew"
 l dashed cold water over my face and neck. held my wrists under the icy flow from the faucet, and finally was able to shake myself into wake fitness. Then I dressed and went downstairs to find Lillian already down. looking as bright and alert as If she had her regular quota of sleep T wish I knew how you do it." l said peevishly.
 
 ly. "Oh. you mean how I manage to look rested with four hours sleep My dear. it's no credit to me-it's simply because I happen to be one of those peculiarly constructed critters to whom excitement of any kind is like strong coffee or a hypodermic of CO., caine, When the thing is all over I'll be a wreck for day or two as you know, but until then I'll be right on my toes She spoke only the truth I well | knew what reaction of weakness, al- | most to the point of exhaustion. would be hers when she finally had worked out the problem revolving around Smith Something else. I knew, also--something that troubled me sorely. I could see that these at- tacks Of nervous exhaustion were more severe as the years went on. and that in an emergency like the one we were confronting she was working solely on nervous excitement with no reserve of physical strength.
 Tom Chester Arrives. There was nothing to be done, how
 
 and to save her strength in every way l could But even as the thought | came to me I laughed sardoncally to myself al the idea Of any one trying | to conserve Lillian's strength, for remembered Dicky's bizarre charac- terization of her:
 When old Lii has her nose to the | ground on any job he once had said | you might as well try to get his kill l away from a man-eating tiger by of fering him a lollipop, as to call her off"
 Well :" Lillians tone held amuse- ment and a touch of impatience Tt strikes me you'd better call your soul | back from whatever realm it winged | itself to, and join me in a raid on the kitchen. Katie won't be up for a while, but there's no need of our going fasting until then. And, your re- spected mother -in-law to the contrary you do make the best coffee I ever tasted, so hurry up and brew me a | cup"
 1 flushed with pleasure at her com ent--shoW me q woman who will l not thrill at tribute to her coffee followed Lillian to the kitchen, working briskly with her until we sat down to an appetizing