New Britain herald., 1922-08-05
The Promise and The Farewell Harry
 Underwood Gave 10 Madge,


 Underwood Gave to Nadge,
 There was infinite bitterness in Harry Tnderwoods voice as he fn- ished speaking, and his brilliant black eyes held q hereely mournful express sion which startled me I had not known that he was capable of so in- tense an emotion as the passion Of atonement which natently lay beneath his carefully mooldng reference to himself as a "hish-class stool pigeon ''
 The sincerity which was also wrft- ten in his eyes quickly hanished the doubt of his that-because Of his former association with Grace Draper -I had cherished against my own in- stinot and my fathers ripened ex- per,ence and sure judgment
 Remorse for my harsh judgment of him made more active q fear which had flashed into my mind at his startling revelation. I voiced 1t in- voluntarily;
 Isn't That the Ferry -Boat?"
 "But" I stamnered, does not this work of yours involve great danger ?'
 A flash Of sardonic humor swept the mournful look from his eyes.
 Well, 1t isn't exactly a Ladies' Aid apron sale z" he retorted But what does that matter-to you--or to any one else in the world"
 His voice held the touch of theatri. cal hravado which is always a part of Harry Underwood's personality, but I realized that q very real truth lay be- meath his words, and that his half mocking reference to the possibility of not seeing me again might prove to be q sinister truth.
 'Of course it matters I began spiritedy, then I stopped short at the mocking light in his eyes.
 TO whom ?" he drewled T cer- tainly am anxious to know
 TO all of us" I returned steadily TO my father, in particular, who cares very sincerely for you, in spite
 brought myself up short, flushing at the gleam in his eyes.
 Why do you stop at the most in- teresting part? he gibed. But known by the obstinate set of that Cupid slow mouth of yours that youll never finish that sentence, so I'll do it for you. You mean in spite of the fact that m the most hopeless rotter-'
 DO you know you are making it yer yunpleasant for me?" I demand ed T mean nothing so sweeping. Forgive me M he entreated contri- tely I'm beast to have annoyed you, and seventy times a fool to take up the time talking about myself when there's so much want to tell you, and the times so short. Look l. Isn't that the ferryboat?"
 An Odd Good-hy
 My eyes followed his pointing finger to a far distant moving black spot on the peaceful water Of the sound.
 Yes" decided after an instant's scrutiny,
 Then I haven't many minutes he returned Now, Lady Fair, I want you to listen to me with ali your ears. and borrow one or two if you haven't enough, for I sure am going to give you more than one earfu."
 There was that in his manner which made impressive his apparently care less, slangy words, and when he spoke again his voice had deepened and held a warning note which remained in my memory long after he had left me.
 T want you to remember this one thing for all time, and never let it go,' he said "As long as Grace Draper is above the sod she's going to feed fat the ancient grudge she bears you with the choicest variety of food she can get. No-you needn't look at me like that. Shes not with me, and I don't know where she is I'm going to make it my business to know, and to block her little plans.
 "The trouble with handling her is that she's got some mighty powerful secret influence behind her-that dope she handed you about being poor and friendless was the richest buck going and she's able to get away with murder. But believe your Uncle Dud- ley. I'm going to summer and win ter that dame from now on until she croaks or I do. She may be able to pull off stunt without my being next for twelve hours, but that's about her limit.
 He put a powerful hand over mine as it rested on the steering wheel. and gave it masterful grip.
 Here's another thing I want you