South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-05-12
THE QUESTIONS ROBERT SAY
arm ASKED MADGE


Lillian tells me you're all going
tomorrow morning I'm sorry"
There was conventional regret in
Mrs. Cosgrove's voice. but l suspect
ed that in her heart there was relief.
even gladneSs unconscious, no
doubh. but distinct She had made
up her mind that her brother would
be happier for awhile without Lii
liam. and 1 new that for him she
would have ruthlessly banished from
her home everyone except her hus-
band and children, no matter how
dear the tie of friendship or asso-
citation.
I'm sorry. too" said prevaricat-
ing in my turn But there are sew
eral very necessary things calling me
restless-anxiOus 70 get at his work
again. And now what about lunch
We shall have to break the journey
tomorrow night at some hotel. but
1 don't want 10 take Junior into a
public restaurant for lunch. and
need enough milk i'm the thermos
bottles 10 do him until we get home"
NO, there's too many chances of
his catching something" Mrs. Cos
grove agreed. "Of course YOU can
have a lunch. and all the milk you
want. Just bring over your motor
kit tonight. and I'll plan 10 get up
extra early tomorrow morning so as
TO have the things fresh. Lillian
says you're going TO start at seven.
You'll want your breakfast about
quarter-pasl six, won't you?"
yes. l think So 1 returned de-
precatingly. Il am afraid we are
making you a great deal of bother"
Madgc Explains.
"Bother's my middle name" she
retorted. But you're not making
it. I always rise very early anyway,
to get lot Of work out of the way
before breakfast. and tomorrow I.
haven't anything on hand that can't
be let go. It's the end Of the sea-
son, and all Of my people will be
gone by another week. I do hope IL
will be a nice day for your trip
home"
Whose trip homer" Robert Saw
arms voice. hoarse, agitated. souno-
ed in the kitchen door behind me.
"Madge, YOU don't mean"
But / DO. Robert" I said quietly.
realizing that l must convince him
that the decision to go home so un-
eXpectedly came from us, not Lillian.
'Dicky has been urging me 10 go
home for several days. and today he
insisted that we must start tomor-
row morning. l have been almost
at my wits end getting the packing
done, but l have the last thing fin
ished. so if f. doesn't rain the ira
diuonal pitchforks well start at
seven o'clock.
Lillian is not going with YOU"
The words were d defiant asser-
ton and terrified question. With
a sudden resolution I raised my eyes
10 telegraph request 20 Mrs Cos
grove. Her supper was on the
stove. her paying guests gathering.
but she only waited the seconds
necessary 20 slide a pan Of delicious
1 ~ potatoes TO the back OF the stove.
and open her oven door a trifle. be-
fore slippin g quietly out Of the
/ kitchen.
1 put my hand on Robert Savarin's
arm, looked UP into the brown eyes
heavy with anguish, and tried not
I 10 recall the fact that before 1 had
| seen him almost miraculously re-
stored 70 sanity, those eyes had held
only the glitter OF madness.
Did She"
Robert" 1 said soberiy almost
/ solemniy. I have been your friend
your advocate. through these trying
/ years. have I not2"
He started. and saw a little Of
the absorbed self-cenredness slip
away from him.
I Yes. YOU have been more than
/ kind"
And 1 think you realize-it is
I not braggadocio 70 speak the truth.
either-that know Lillian better
than any other woman does. and
that 7 am closer 20 her than anyone
save Marion and you"
Il think you know her even bet
ter than / do" ne said with a note
\ OF bitterness
n protested with an emphatic
NO. indeed" though I felt IN my