Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-08-29
MY
X1 PROBLEMS
Adele Garrison's
New Phase off,
REVELATIONS
OLA WIFE
THE SOUND THAT CANE
THROUGH THE SIDE DOOR

Ready, Madge"
Lillian's low-toned summons from
outside my door brought me to my
feet tensely. / had dressed as she re-
ouested an hour before, and since then
had been sitting at the window watch
ing the twilight fade into darkness,
and waiting-the hardest thing In the
world to do. crossed the room easer,
II, opened the door, n answered
softly:
"An ready"
The light of the hall was strong
upon nv face. Lillian glanced at me
keenly. then put out her hand and drew
me toward her, giving me a little
shake.
you're taut as a fiddle wire" she
said. Come out Of il. We may not
have any action for hours yet. II
YOU don't relax a bit, the wires likely
TO snap. Besides. We want you for a
hand at bridge. and il you draw Allen
as a partner, you know he's absolutely
merciiess on errors. So you'd better
get ready TO mind your ps n as.
Bridge game" l repeated vaguely.
Lillian often surprises me. but this cas-
ual announcement sent my mental
wheels spinning madly. / had been
prepared to crouch in a darkened DON
waiting for the appearance of the des-
perate man. Smith. But this common
place proposal
Lillian laughed softly. merrily. and l
felt the needed relaxation come TO me
with the familiar sound.
at is rather q come-down. isn't It!
she asked teasingly. But | don't
know anything better for taking u
minds off Mr.. Smith until the minute
when we have to occupy them entirely
with the lear man. Do you?"
"How viii You Known"
No. indeed" I answered, for l knew
bv experience that three more enthusi-
astic bridge devotees do not exist than
nv father, Allen Drake and Lillian.
The only reason l like the game Is
because il gives me the chance TO ex-
ercise the m which has proved
so useful TO me, but | always feel dis
tinctly out of it in such able company.
never more SO than when | have Allen
Drake as a nartner. With but IN &C.
On sional, apparently casual word. which.
nevertheless. raises a blister upon ones
mental epidermis. or a languid. inqulr-
ing lift Of his long. womanish lashes, he
is able to make me thoroughly uncom-
Portable. and if I possibly can get out
of il. | never engage in the game when
he is one of the players. If Lillian had
planned to give me a counter.irritant
far fine over Smith which
was consuming me, she could not have
made a better selection.
Don't look so frightened" she
laughed. I'll see that Allen doesn't
eat you alive"
But" I protested. breaking my rule
of asking no questions concerning Lii
liau's plans. chow will you know when
Smith is starting?'
The Signal Is Given
Were taking no chances. child"
she said soberly. "1t is absolutely
vital that we know what he is doing
every step of the way. and under Al
lens directions. Tom Chester has ar
ranged the n%iftiest system of signals
You would ever want to ses, Mr..
Briggs will start the thing when Mr..
Smith displays symptoms of leaving
the house. and from that time until
we purposely let him go. he'll never
he very many feet from one of young
Chester's men. So there's nothing for
us to do but to wait for that first
signal. Come along, put your mind
upon the many advantages of a no
|trum hand. You know that's Aliens
pet hand if you should draw him as a
partner. and I feel it in my bones
you're going to get him."
Then I f~ervently hope your bones
have lost their power of prophecy for
once / said earnestly. and the next
minute we were in the library and
greeting my father and Allen Drake,
who were already comfortably seated
behind the bridge table.
My hope was useless, however, and
Lillian's prophecy. fulfilled, for the cul
Iof the cards consigned me to Mr.. Drake
for q game which to me seemed inter.
minahle.. I could not keep my mine
upon the cards, but felt a nervous fell