New Britain herald., 1923-05-05
Is There Something Really Serious
Troubling Mrs. Durkees

lhoubihis Mrs, bufkees
Mrs DuFkee's sweet. ehildlike fac,
wore a gray, haggard look whiel
startled me, and her usually merr,
blue eyes were strained with some
ihing which was either physical pair
or mental worry. perhaps both.
She attempted gallant little smile
as she saw me, but IL was a pitifuI
thing. and l drew her quickly into
my arms.
Whatever IL the matter?" asked,
but she put her finger 10 her lips
quickly ] noticed also that she had
WINGED as II with pain at my touch.
and began TO grow alarmed for her.
Nothing at ALL" she said. and then
with wary glance around; lis
Dieky here"
No. but I'm expecting him every
minute" j replied, as with my arm
around her. ! drew her into the Nv
ing room and put her in the most
comfortable chair.
"oh. dear - she said doiefully,
while ] looked at her IN surprise. for
Dicky Ia a prime fayoSite OF hers.
II did 30 hope I'd find you alone"
you will in another quarter hour"
] returned, smiling. "Dieky's simply
stopping In to get his bag. and then
he's going out OF town for three
days"
I'm so glad" she said, and then
flushed shame facedly.
How horrid 1t was OF me to say
that !" she continued. But you'll
understand when l tell you. ] don't
want Dicky to suspect anything. |
though. I'll Just tell him I've come
In on shopping trip. DO look all |
right"
$50 Long. Madge -
"Of course" l said mendaciously,
land II you didn't you know what
Dicky Is when he's starting for a trip.
He'll have about 80 seconds margin
TO catch his train. Here he is now 20
The door bell had pealed again, and
] guessed that Dicky was too i'm
patient to use his key. In another Sec
ond ] had opened the door and Dicky
had brushed past me.
"Did you close the bag?" he de-
manded, and at my negative. he gave
relieved ejaculation. 1--WE got to
put in that manuscript Hutton sent
me two weeks ago, and that brown
Jacket. DO you know where they
arc? ?"
Right here" ! rushed into the
bedroom, snatched the manuscript
from the tumbled heap of Dicky's
belongings in which l had seen it,
took the jacket from its hook and
came back with 1t just as Dicky
stopped and kissed little Mrs Durkee.
"Of course, you'd wait to come to
see us till I was safely out of the
way" he said reproachfully. But
just remember, I'll be too far away
10, bail either of you two out, so be
careful. So long. Got it,, Madge p
4ood girl - =
He thrust the manuscript and the b
Jacket into the bag. closed it. and ris- o
ng, kissed me warmly g
Drink that Coffee - 81
Take care Of yourself" he adjured,
and remember, don't stay here alone. II
Yrs. Durkee, make Madge go home q
y,ith you If she misses the last train l
Q the Harbor." g
He was out of the room and the d
all in flash, the doors slamming ?
fter him, and I reached the window -
My Just in time to see him leap in =.
D taxicab which stood at the curb -
18th the engine running. The car O.
.aped forward before he was fairly D.
1side, and l turned away with the ~,
errified qualm which always comes 81
, me at Dicky's headlong reckless IN
ess. -, ~
If only he doesn't break his neck mo
efore he gets to the station" ]
ghed. IT,
Don't they always say Providence hi
atches over fools and children?' Be
rs. Durkee asked, with naive lit
0 laugh. And the Dicky-bird sure Be
belongs to one class or the, other"
Shame on you for libelling my bit
lsband like that" I said. But I've to
It the burning Goals all ready for
'ur head. Don't you dare to move "P
| get back to
/ rushed down the hall to my lit
J kitchen. thankful, indeed. that my -----
rcolator coffee was still fresh
ough to serve. / hastily prepared
p, put it with a plate containing
ackers and some of Mother Ora
ms currant jelly, on tray Then