New Britain herald., 1923-07-28
What Jim Showed Madge and the
 Promise He Requested

Promise He Requested
 Mother Graham eyed me sardoni cally.
 Why do you try that wishy-washy meek attitude on me, Margaret? sh demanded, you know you don want my advice about asking Jim tt look for that escaped bootlegger, an. more than cat wants two tails, st why do you waste your time and mint with pretense?"
 She gave me no time to protest hel strictures, even if I truthfully could have done so but jumped, instead, to the question had hoped she would ask, for knew that the answer would provide her minud with enough melo- drama to keep her busy--or so hoped-for few minutes, at least,
 "You said those little children were hungry and their father and mother were in jail. That's where half the people around here ought to be, but to land one of 'em behind bars. What have they been up to?"
 seized the Heaven-sent opportun- ity avidly and as rapidly as possible told her of the discovery of the still and mash by the troopers who were hunting for the escaped bootlegger and of the hurrying to jail of the man and woman who lived across the read.
 Serves 'em right" she said with a vicious little click of her teeth, when a,;n D,,t ie,,ft o baby over there?"
 "Yes, and it's a sick little thing, too. Katherine wants the mother brought back home as soon as pos- sible."
 Then what are you dawdling around here for?" she snapped Here's about the only time that fol badge of yours will have chance to be of any use. You probably can get the woman turned over to you for awhile, anyway, but don't wait till the baby's dead before you get her"
 '1t May Be"
 ''Ill start right away" I promised, and taking down my motor coat and hat, hurried outdoors before she should change her mind.
 ] had long guessed that my ridicu lously melodramatic old mother-in- law was jealous of the tiny badge of the diplomatic secret service which my work with Lillian entities me to possess, but she never had put her feeling into words before and I was anxious that she should not suspect the mirth which her absurdity gave to me.
 My car stood in the driveway. just as I had driven 1t in from Mrs. Ticer's, but I did not at once get into it. Instead, I walked on to the barn, and found Jim standing by one of the small windows which overlooked the buildings. He did not turn as I en- tered, but spoke in a low tense voice.
 T think that fellow the troopers are hunting is in that first clump of evergreens, Mis- Graham" he said. 'If he is, he can't cross to he oher part without my getting him. But of course I may be mistaken. It may be just tramp, or even somebody just going cross lots to the other road"
 Jim Has a Plan
 T think it's the man they're after, Jim." I returned, and then I told him of the discoverey I had made at the broken window. ''Then I was right" he said ex- ultantly, land he IS there. We'll. I'm going after him :" Don't take any risks, Jim." I i pleaded. The mans somewhat stolid face | lighted with an expression I had seen | once before when he enlisted for the | war.
 T was soldier, Mis- Graham" he said. land if there's any risks I got to take 'em. But don't you worry. This isn't anything to going out after men under shell fire. Just don't let Katie know where I've gone until I come back"