New Britain herald., 1923-04-14
The Reason DicIy Delighted Madg
 Then Astonished Her

Who's tho nifty lady that lives or our stairs? Perhaps should say or this same floor, but guess stairs will do. for there see her every time climb the weary flight" said Dicky when he had safely closed the door behind him not half an hour after he had telephoned. T mean the dame with the abundant figure and the baby stare?"
 I had gazed at Dicky bewildered until his last sentence, then light dawned upon me.
 "Oh!" I exclaimed, none too pleased. as Dicky was swift to sec and I to realize he saw, for caught the glint of impish glee in his eyes as he swiftly countered
 Spill the story, old dear"
 There's nothing to spill" tried hard to match his mood with a twinkle of my own.. "Except-Oh, Dicky. you should have seen her when she came in to borrow an onion--ac- tually an onion--not an hour ago. Why, 1 never saw such get-up, or heard such impudent--no, don't mean quite that" I admitted. But"
 Simply must be seen and heard to be appreciated" Dicky paraphrased. as he put his arm about me and drew me down beside him on the sofa.
 Why, she had the effrontery to comment on your appearance. She said she had seen you on the stairs"
 She's honest. sweetheart. give her
 
 ear and I made saucy moue at him before he pulled my head down on his shoulder. But seriously, dear" his voice was more like my Peter Pan than I had heard 1t in months, I'm not altogether crazy about this palace you picked out for our town house. Cant you better our humble condi- tion? I'll help"
 A Friendly saTilt'
 That's precisely why we're here" I said mischievously, though with perfect truth, then hastily added, for I felt Dicky's arm relax and feared to spoil these hours so like our honey moon. T know you meant to help me, but how could I-with nothing to do but go househunting-expec you. my doughty knight of the pencil and brush to lay aside your labors for me bread and butter and that of his highness, our"
 Gan the chatter, old thing :" Dicky's arm was tight about me again and I knew the danger was past. knew also that he was enjoying our tilting as much-indeed. far more than I. What was it you said about Mothers letter? I didn't get you" a"Oh :" my heart constricted as there flashed before my eyes the post card with its cryptic seven. words in the handwriting of a man which Graham had sent in her daily ! letter about Junior. Mother en- closed a postcard whichsI want you to read. It. s's ~ zya
 .-'Gee '" Dicky nearly upset me, so swift was his movement in rising to a sitting posture and pulling out his watch with his disengaged hand. T clean forgot to telephone Ali that we'd meet them at 730."
 "Tear Up That Postcard"
 But thought you told me over the telephone" I began. but he cut me shot with an impatient exclama- ton as he disengaged his arm from around me, rose and went to the NI II heard him give the telephone lumber of Alfred Durkee's office to Central, the while wondered wheth- 1T Dicky ever would grow up, and hen in flash there came the thought hat would not have him other than lc is.
 Guess they're closed for the day" le turned from the telephone to me, hen. after he had joggled the hook, ID and down several times and i had lsked Central to cancel the number, le said with cheery smile: But .uess 1t will be all right. They'll be heir with their hair in two braids, lever fear" He pulled off his coat, awning the while. Pardon me-" he made low obeisance with mockery n every movement. If it pleascth hee, shall rest my weary body for  But it doesn't please me, Dicky," ried for an excuse for laugh, but , ailed dismally. That postcard--' i ''Who's it from?" There was fur , nv hetween his dancing eyes that