New Britain herald., 1923-05-29
Why Nadgs's Plan Vanished 4,
 ihe sight of Ieila


 which Ress Dean gave me when
 said that | was dizzy and wished | so un ta my room and lie down, Tha she guessed my illness was enl feiFnsd, was sure, but l cared nl whit for her opinion Of me, and enli nodded indifferently when she saii with silky intonaiian'
 Terribly sudden seizure, isn't il Hut. Of course, run along, m try Il keep things from burning"
 Nothing will burn before l Ee back" I returned as I left the room and again ! deliberately misled her for had no intention of returning is the kitchen again,
 I went straight to Mrs Durkee'l room. found her dressing, and look ing much refreshed.
 "i had the most wonderful nap thanks 10 you" she said gratefully You must be tired
 Not in the least" I replied truth. fully. But l want you 10 take my place now
 What's happened7" She bridled with anger. Has the sirl---"
 No. she has been very tame and peaceful" returned with a smile. "Rnt = Leila doesn't know Rsss Is here"
 No" She looked al me inauir- inels.
 Don't you think it is as well that she receive the knowledge before she sees BessH" asked. Last night, Leila wa. terribly nervous. and don't think she's at ell wcll.''
 had taken of my apron and smoothed my hair as I spoke. but when took up my hat. which I had left on Mrs. Durkce's table. she voiced a quick sharp query:
 What are you going to do?"
 I lowered my voice to whisper. though l was reasonably sure that Bess Dean was safely in the kitchen.
 "T'll Meet Alfred and Ieila.''
 T told Bess that I was dizzy. and was coming upstairs to lie down for a few minutes. Now. if you will go down stairs and keep her busy for a while. I'll slip out and go over to the station and meet Alfred and Leila When we come back, I'll say that I thought the walk would do my head good.
 The bright eyes of Her Fluffiness sparkled with appreciative compre- hension.
 What a schemer you are--for your friends - she exclaimed. keeping her own voice down. I'm almost through dressing. and III go down the second I'm finished. Just help me fasten this gown. and I'll be ready"
 I hurried through the fastcnings. and in another minute, apron over her arm, she hurried down the stairs. while put on my outdoor things and stood at the head of the stairs until the sound of voices in the kitchen told me that the way to the front door was clear.
 let myself out noiselessy, and turned down the road toward the rail- way station. It was long walk. but l knew that ] had plenty of time to make it before Afred's usual home coming train. and l revelled in the clear. crisp country air. so unlike the dust-laden atmosphere surrounding the apology for an apartment in which housing conditions had flung Dicky and me.
 A sudden nostalgia for the real country surrounding the Sag Harbor farm swept me, and for an instant l felt impatience with the circum- stances which had kept me from them But for the Durkees I might now be sitting before blazing logs in the big fireplace with my idolized small son cuddled in my arms.
 Iadge Considers Her Problem
 Then shame for my selfishness swept me. Tragedy grim and stark. lay in wait for my little friend, un- happiness threatened her daughter-ln law, also dear to me would be un- worthy the name of friend if I could not cheerfully sacrifice moro than a day at home to them, rare and pre- cious as those days were to me since my enforced soiourn in the city. I had nearly 10 minutes to spare when I walked into the station, but l found the time too short for the solv Ing Of one problem which confronted me. Little Mrs Durkee had told me that I and not she must tell Alfred of the mysterious pain which had been troubling her and of Dr. Fox l hams verdict that she ought to un- dergo an operation.
 Should I tell Alfred during our walk ] home, or would the shock be too great for Leila, if her nerves were as unstrung as they had been the pre- ceding evening? Yet, with Ress Dean present, I might not have as good an later. And might not the knowledge of her mother-in- laws danger be a good thing for Leila, in that it would occupy her mind with something other than Eess Deans nachinations
 The train whistle sounded with my problem unsolved, and I went out to he platform with the decision so oft sn made. to abide by circumstances. But when tho train stopped, and I ,aught my first glimpse Of Alfred and Leila, everything but anxiety for my riend fed. For Alfred had to lift leila from the train and carry her 10 he waiting room. She evidently was , .xtremely III.