South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-04-01
THE LOOPHOLE PA COSGROVE
CAVE RESS DEAN

/ gasped at the revelation of ut
ter callous selhshness which Bess
Dean gave in her proposal 20 Dicky
that we go back to the COsgrove
home, leaving Pa Cosgrove TO ac-
company the physician back to the
inn where the wounded trooper lay.
That she heard me I knew by the
impatient twitch the shoulder next
me gave. But she was too intent
upon Dicky's probable answer TO
her little speech 10 pay any fur
Their attention to me. And my in
terest in his answer rivalled hers.
though I did not turn my head a
quarter of an inch toward them.
Very clever idea, that" he
said. and there was apparent warm
admiration in his voice. Your
idea being. I presume. that there
is 70 need for us to get mixed up
in the thing"
Exactly" Bess Deans voice
was crisp. assured I'VE are only
boarders here. anyhow. and they
ought not 10 expect us to mix up
with their neighborhood fights.
There's Pa Cosgrove now. coming
out with another man He must
be the doctor, for he has the regu-
lation bag with him. Suppose you
go and tell him"
a Chest Protector"
NO need for that" Dicky re-
piled They're coming over here.
BY the way. Madge, aren't you
could2 7 thought Lillian gave YOU
20 chest protector"
"A chest protector" Bess Dean
exclaimed in laughing bewilder-
ment. But I cocprenended what
Dicky meant With an intuition
that seemed to me TO be uncanny
coming from careless Dickv. he had
guessed that Lillian had provided
me with her badge Of the diplomatic
secret service, and I realized that
ne wished an assurance that II was
safe and that I meant 20 use it II
necessary.
she did" returned since
her own illness, Lillian's been ter
riblv fussy over health precau-
mental obeisance 20 Lillian for my
tarradiddle But I haven't need
ID II so far though I'll put it on if
it gets chillier."
See that YOU do" Dicky return
cd with the most approved coniugal
authority. If he meant 20 say any
thing else il was cut short by the
appearance Of Pa Cosgrove and the
physician al the side Of the car Pa
Cosgrove gave us the briefest Of in
Productions and then hurried into
q proposal that ] hoped would
a bash Bess Dean. although I had
my doubts Of H.
There's no use OF you folks
getting mixed up in this mess" he
said. 'espe cially as that Smith may
try 20 make trouble. So I'll just go
down with the doc. and you folks
go on home The boys can come
back on the running board OF the
dots car. II they don't take US
down 10 the Kingston Jail"
Dicky 10 the Fore.
His voice was jovial. but there
was an undercurrent OF applehen-
sion in It. and I knew that he was
by no means easy in his nina con-
corning the probable action Of the
man Smith.
You're a dear, Pa Cosgroye"
Bess Dean cried with enthusiasm.
What did I tell you. Dicky-Ofrd -
so many things that I can't re-
member" he retorted. This is
awfully decent OF you. Cosgrove."
he went on IN a tone which for the
life OF me I could not interpret. II
might presage acceptance or in
dignant rejection OF the elder mans
offer. But this expedition IS cap
tanned by a better man than l. The
lady at the wheel Is the boss. Long
experience has taught me not 20
open my mouth until she has spok-
en-"
choked al the vision OF Dicky
Derpetuauy meek and silent. Bess
Dean swirled quickly in her seat.