New Britain herald., 1922-11-27
The Way Madgc Deftly Cornered
 Mir. Smythe

Miss cargill. quick, adroit. tool advantage of the ludicrons inelden in which Katie had worsted yount MT. Smythe and carried off Clair, Foster's torn photograph, 10 put agair the question which the youth so rude ly had interrupted.
 Your attitude then" she said. T, that the whole affair is to be regard ed with amusement rather than wrath, and you are going to Caldwir at once in order to assure yourself friend. Miss Foster. arc uninjured and that there is no serious angle to the comedy. May quote you to that cffect?"
 did not need Lillian warning sig nal to hesitate before l acquiesced in this ingenious version of my thoughts Yet I knew enought of newspapers and reporters to know that as long as the first story had been printed, 1t was far wiser for me to give re- liable reporters some comment they could quote.
 "I do not think that quite expresses my attitude" said slowly. T know from the advices l have had from MT. Graham, and Miss Foster"-my Puritan conscience fell unconscious at the stroke-"that the newspaper ac- count greatly exaggerated the affair. l am going up there, of course. It is perfectly convenient for me to do so, and I may be able to be of some |. te n n to be nervous and an accident of that sort is not very soothing, you know"
 I made a mental apology to Claire Fosters splendid health and iron nerves then I braced myself anew as MT. Rickett's calm, suave voice struck into the conversation.
 "A few minutes ago you referred to the incident as harmless comedy" he said. Would you object to explain ing your meaning
 A Yelled Threat
 Not in the least" I returned brightly "Of course, did not mean to refer to the accident itself as com edy but could there be anything more humorous than the comment and excitement which according to the newspaper the incident appears to have caused among the inhabitants of the summer colony? Anything more intensely small town stuff l cannot imagine. I hope that the account is greatly exaggerated, and that Miss Foster has not been annoyed by it."
 And you want to go on record" queried young MT. Smythe. with an unpleasant leer, '.as saying that you are not angry at your husband or jealous of Miss Foster, and that you are going up there to protect the girl from gossip?
 better story than the one had Come now, I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll write this story the way you want it. not telling the real thing, about your tearing that photograph of Miss Eos ter that the baby had, if you'll give me bang-up picture of Miss Foster. which can use"
 T beg you to believe" Miss Cargill began. her dark eyes sparkling with anger, ana I saw Mir. Rickett half rise from his chair as If he meant to call the other man to account. But I interrupted them both ruthlessly, faced young MT. Smythe, and spoke slowly, firmly.
 'NIr. Graham Is an Athlete"
 T have been most patient with your insufferable actions," I began, be cause of the courteous behavior and evident desire to be fair which your colleagues have exhibited. But I warn you that my patience with you is at an end. It is one thing to write an account of something which actually happened, it is something al together different to indulge in guess work as to someone's mental attitude.
 .I have stated to Miss Carglll and MT. Rickett exactly what my position is, and know''-I made a little ges-