New Britain herald., 1922-06-23
Why Madge Hesitated to Aid
 Allen Drake.

I am sure I know now the feelings of the legendary mouse when sht realized that it depended upon her te free the lordly lion from his bonds My fathers hesitating request that would send word 10 Allen Drake oi my willingness 10 help him with the refractory code, frightened me a' much as it astonished me.
 True, remembered well-too well l thought sonetimes-when the bril. liant secret service agent had been glad Of my help, But that was only in the service given him by my un- usual memory. This freakish gift of mine which l have untiringly cultivat- ed, had upon one particular notable occasion enabled me to carry in my mind whole lists of names and figures which it was unsafe for him to carry with him upon paper. It had been several years since I had memorized those lists for Allen Drake, had not thought of them for months, at least, but yet l knew that I could re- peat unerringly every one of them if he should ask me for tn-ru
 But that could possibly help Al len Drake in deciphering code Allen Drake. the acknowledged master of two continents in his peculiar gifts --I found myself tremulous at the very thought And yet, I never had known my father to act upon impulse. or without some sure knowledge back of his words and actions.
 could not help protesting, how ever, and I felt the blood rush to my face as spoke.
 "Of course. l am willing to do any thing you ask me, Father" l said earnestly. But how in the world could I help Allen Drake with a code?"
 T am not sure that you can," he returned with little smile. But there is something about the thing baffling him which is connected in some intangible way with you. l cannot explain it-and I may be all together wrong-but I have the feel ing that if you see the paper on which Allen is working you may be able to give hom some aid"
 "But-'' my voice held all the in- credulity felt. has MT. Drake asked that help him?"
 'T Cannot Volunteer"
 My fathers face and voice were un- ruffled as he gave me the answer which threw me into a panic.
 NO, he doesn't dream, of course, that you could. But if I can carry him the word that you are willing, l am sure you will take a great bur den from his mind
 Before my face flashed a swift vis- ion of Allen Drake's face should my father give him such a message from me. I could imagine the lazy, scorn- ful amusement with which he would greet such a message, and the vision urged my lips to firm denial.
 T cannot volunteer any help to MT, Drake on a subject of which he Is master and Of which l know noth- inx." said. But if"
 My father interrupted me smiling.
 T will guarantee that he does not think you presumptuous, and there will be no volunteering about it. l will confde to him my reason, or rather my impression-for it IS only a hay feeling-that you may be able to help him will assure him Of your willingness, and of your doubt, and will then send for you. How Will that do?"
 met his kindly, quizzical eyes bravely.
 That will do admirably" l said, And will do the very best. can, but"
 "suppose we stop right here" he said, drawing me to him and kissing ne tenderly. Please remain here, II nossible, alone for fifteen minutes.
 "That is easily arranged" an- swered. Marion and Junior are asleep, Lillian is at work in her room, Mother Graham Is reading in hers, and Katie left the kitchen for her quarters before I came upstairs
 "Excellent", he said commendingly. .T am sure I shall be back in fifteen minutes"
 A Long Cherished Dream.
 H onened the door and went out, but was scarcely conscious of hls going. for to me was coming the hrst faint hope of ngcherished dream coming true.-a dream scarcely ac- knowledged even to myself.
 cannot remember when puzzles of my kind, even the simple puzzles on the children's page of newspaper, have not had an almost uncanny fas- cination for me. have spent hours in their solving when I was ashamed to let any one know how I was spend ing my time. And any piece or nc tton which deals with the declphef- ing of code has always held me have worn my copy or Poe's .1The Gold Bug threadbare-