New Britain herald., 1923-07-11
What Mother Graham Did to Make ''the Place. Secure

Katherine's description of Mothe Graham as imagining the curtain just gone down on the first act" wa!
 most apropos, mentally commented as my mother-in-law came hurryine back into the living room. with Mrs Ticer smiling sedately in her wake.
 She was all a-twitter with excite ment. and I saw that, as usual when anything exciting happens, her ill., temper had been smothered by her curiosity.
 "Bless my soul. girls :" she said inn portantly. as she hustled in. Have you heard about this escaped boot legger. probably murderer, whom Mir. Ticer and Jerry are helping the state troopers to hunt?"
 l did not need Katherine's surrepti- tious nudge to take my cue. It would never do to rob Mother Graham of the dramatic thrill which would in- vest her recital of the facts she had just learned from Mrs. Ticer.
 That Good Idea r
 "A murderer" I exclaimed in pre- tended astonishment. Jerry said something about chasing man, but I didn't--''
 That's about as much concentra- ton as you ever put upon subject. Margaret" my mother-in-law inter- rupted with kindly hauteur. Sup pose you listen carefully, now. Mrs. Ticer says-'
 With commendable gravity. kath. crime and I listened to Mother Ora hams exaggerated version of the tracking expedition Sam Ticer and Jerry had joined and of which we had heard in detail from Sam Ticer him. self. only few minutes before. By no gesture or word did Katherine or I betray our previous knowledge, al- though the comprehending twinkle in Mrs. Ticer's eyes before she turned to the window made 1t hard for us to keep our faces straight.
 T must warn Jim to keep a look out" This when she had repeated every detail of the story at least twice, Why. the man might take notion to try to hide in our barn !"
 That subconsciously she hoped he would do that very thing, was plain to all of us. With reluctance. spoke for the first time since my mother-in- laws monologue began.
 Don't you think we'd better tell Jim to keep the news from Katie as long as he can?" I asked deferential- ly. for I had visions of what our household would be like with Katies probable hysteria added to Mother Graham's excitment ~
 Really Margaret, that's 8. very good idea" my mother-in- laws com ment was the perfection of patron age, as she left the room, and Kath- | crime finished the sentence with a l grin.
 For moron," she murmured in go low voice that l was sure Mrs Ticer did not hear her,
 With 8 nasty impudent grimace at !! her. I turned to our neighbor, who with instinctive elf-effacing courtesy had pretended to be absorbed with | the view of the distant ocean from the living roow windows, while my mother-in-law was talking to me.
 Did you tell Mother Graham about getting the girl across the road to help?" I asked.
 Mrs. Ticer turned from the window with an amused little smile playing around her, mouth.
 T didn't vget a chance" she said. T happened to mention the bootleg ger first, and just as soon as she had found out all l knew, she flew down here"
 Suppose you sit down." l suggest sd You'll have quite waits for Mother Graham, l imagine"
 She's probably searching the barn herself by this time," Katherine com ; nented whimsically. but l, knowing { ny doughty mother-in-law, was sure hat my friends conjecture had far nore of truth than she suspected.
 Mother Graham Is Pleased { T thought l might start on the 'ooms," Mrs. Ticer said, but she lidn't tell me which one, she got so ,xcited about the news. Could you ell me where I'm to start?"
 I shook my head decidedly.
 NO, indeed. I wouldn't think of with her plans. If I were