New Britain herald., 1923-05-07
The Command ~ petey MARKS
Thar Masige aEesheaHa

7 felt my PULSES eahstTiet with pits
and fear as I saw the slow tears stealr
ms down Mrs, nuFkee's face,
Never bur once or twice in my
long fFlenship with her have ! seen
tears in her eyes, Her short nlump
body snFmeuRfed hy her still pretty
ehildrlike face, holds one OF the most
gallant accompanying souls 7 know,
What could have happened 10 daunl
her sweet, CHEEKY sniTiis
| went swiftly 20 her, pushed the
tray TO one side and kHeeliHg down by
her chair. drew her head 70 my
shoulders,
Whenever you're ready, tell me all
about u" I said, netting her as
would sorrowfnl child,
With a dreary little gesture. she
turned her head 10 my shoulder and
burst into storm OF sobs that wor.
ried me, But I knew better than 10
speak 20 her, | simply held her
close and stroked her hair until the
parosysm was past,
II don't know what you'll think OF
me. Madge. acting the baby like this"
she said NJ last, raising her head and
dabbinT AZ her eyes with an absurd
little handkerchief. hut don't dare
frighfen Alfred and Leila with II. and
I've kept II 10 myself until I'm so
scared ] don't know what 10 do. So
] just had 20 come TO YOU"
I'm so glad you did" said henrt.
lily. 'Rut don't you think you'd bet.
ter rest bit before you toll me any
thing Here-f'll Just throw some
pillows on this couch, and put you
down on IL while | get some lunch
con-
Madge Comforts Mrs. Durkee
Il couldn't cat a morsel," she quay.
cred. but ] put tho pillows in place
without answering. glad OF the short
stature OF my little friend which
would enable her 10 rest as CON-
fortably on the mssquerading bed
couch as would child.
Then I drew her 10 her feet. not
ing unessily that she again WINGED as
] touched her, and helped her to the
couch where / nestled her among the
pillows. covered her warmly and
then stopped and kissed her wan lit |
tie face
Now stop worrying about every
thing" ] commanded Just remem-
Der I'm distinctly on the job, as
Lillian would say, and I'm going to
see you through, no matter what the
trouble is. Doze off if you can until
! come in again.
l opened the window furthest from
her. and lowered the shades on both
of the windows. Then | fastened to
my kitchen. shutting the living room
door after me- and took stock of my
refrigerator.
Last night we had dined out, but
the night before I had cooked a
chicken in Dicky's favorite style,
''smothered" with cream gravy. There
was enough Of II left to make a
dainty dish minced over toast, ana
cooked a speculative eye at my pot
of chives on the window-sil. l
would add a soupcon of the savory
green shreds to my chicken dish both
for garnishing and favor.
II Believe I've Been Asleep"
Three cold potatoes the aid
of some bread crumbs and grated
cheese, i COUIu serve 1dNO1lIe n1Sn
OF my little friends, and ! bounced
upon few crisp leaves of lettuce and
a tiny stalk of celery wrapped in a
napkin with the anticipation of the
fruit salad ! could contrive from the
basket Of assorted fruit which Dicky
always insists upon having in the
house.
! did not hurry the preparation Of
the meal, for ] was sure from the :
exhausted. drawn look of Mrs. Dur /,
KEGS face that she would drop off to /,
sleep. And when, everything In ..
readiness but the brewing of the tea,
| tip-toed into the living room. | !,
found that she had, indeed, forgotten
in sumber whatever trouble was ,
her.
Hating to awaken her, | stood a,
above her. irresolute for a minute,
and then I saw her eyes open slowly.
II believe I've been asleep" she !
said in a doubling tone and I smiled {