South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-02-02
HOW MADGE RESPONDED II
LILLIAN'S GREAT NEED.

LnLIAN'S GREAT NEED.
With a single startled glance at /
my mother-in-law / few past her
into the little hall and down the
stairs 20 the sitting-room, where
Robert Savarin awaited me.
He was walking restleSsly up and 4
down the room when I entered, and
I saw that his face was. white and
drawn with anxiety.
"Lillian." 1 exclaimed apprehen- I.
sively. as he turned and saw me. I
rs she-worse Or~Marion2
He came up to me swiftly. took
my hands in his reassuringly, and
bent above them with the reverent
courtesy which never deserts him,
even IN moments of stress.
"Not-worse, he said. and I saw
that he had not even heard my
query concerning Marion. His whole
soul was wrapped up in Lillian's
condition. But she is-quite-dis-
tur bed-over-som which
she believes you can help her. and
she has asked 10 see you. I must
tell you that the nurse only con-
scented TO my coming for You when
she had seen that a refusal would
affect Lillian more unfavorably than
the excitement Of seeing you. I am
afraid Miss Jones considers Lillians
condition TO be more serious than
have suspected 1 would never
have"
An Eager Question.
He broke off abruptly as he saw A
little involuntary movement Of i'm
PATIENCE on my part. I was wild to
get TO Lillian, and I guessed what
the rest of his sentence was. Moved
by his great love and his desire to
protect her, I surmised that he had
pressed her unduly to give him the
promise he had asked so long. that
as soon as the legal bonds holding
her TO Harry Underwood could be
severed, she would marry him. and
so give him the right 10 care for
/ herself and Marion. 1t was a promise
that 1 was anxious to have her
make, for I knew that happiness
for my soreIy-tried friend could be
given her only by the man who
stood before me, but I was angry
at the masculine blindness which
had led him 10 insist upon her an
swer when she was in no condition
/ TO make any decision.
You can come at Once?" he ask
cd with a touch Of fOrmality.
This minute" / returned The
car is in the driveway. If you'll get
in I'll speak to my mother-in-law."
She was already in the doorway.
/ a ~ I
PLANTATION as I put on my hat and
coat, and hurried out OF the door.
With the swift, comforting rise to an
! emergency which she is always sure
TO exhibit, there was no hint Of carp
ing or irritation in her manner.
MariOn's Plea.
Stay as long as you need" she
said Il will look after everything
here. And If you should wish to
| stay the night I'll have your bag
ready II you send a messenger for
| it,"
You're such a comfort, mother"
( ] said as I kissed her good-by, with
a thankful thought that my little
! lad was asleep. and so would not
/ fret at my going
! Il hope know how to be decent"
. she replied grimly, and then Robert
! Savarin and 1 were in the car and
speeding toward the hospital
Miss Jones met us at the door Of
/ Lillian's room She drew me aside.
motioning Robert Savarin to go on
/ in.
Mrs. Graham am at my wits
end she said frankly. Something
/ is going on here that I cannot un-
derstand. There is no reason why
both my ratients should not be get
/ ting stronger, but the child is fret
ting herself into a fever over some
thing, and Mrs. Underwood is evil
\ IDENTIFY under some intense nervous
strain which is wearing her out.
would forbid Mr. Savarin's visits.
/ only 1 have no ground for thinking
/ that he is concerned in any way
with their condition It is some
! thing that lies between the child
and the mother. 1 think. and have
wondered if you could not help me.
I hate to separate them. and yet"
II will see what I can do" I
promised hastily. walking swiftly
into the room. and Miss Jones closed
\ the door behind me, shutting her
self out.
'Madge. dear. I am so gladl"
Lillian's voice was faint with
weakness. and the worn look upon
/ her face made my heart ache. Yet
there was relief in her tones. and
something else-absolute DEPEND
ence. II was as If she had found her
self unable TO cope with whatever
problem confronted her. and had in
voked my aid. Strengthened my
/ self invOluntarily. crossed to her
side. put my arms around her gent
\ ly, but with firm reinsurance.
81 am here TO stay as long as YOU