New Britain herald., 1923-03-10
Tho Seemingly Simple Advice Lillian
Gave Madge

Gave Madge
I tried to conceal the SILVER which
I.illian's words sent over me. But the
, sinister possibilities for my father
and the rest OF US at which she had
limited were too much for me, and
II was almost half minute before I
was able to answer her.
you mean--torturc?" I whispered.
She nodded grimly.
i mean just exactly that. No, I'm
not crazy. although ten years ago II
had limited at anything so melo-
dramatic you would have been justi-
fed In calling me so. But remember
civilization has slipped back a thous-
and years In some respects in the last
ten, and there's nothing too outrage
GUS or fantastic to be possible to q
certain type of criminal mind--which
isn't always confined to the ranks of
the criminals" she finished, with a
cynical little laugh.
Don't look SO white, she went on.
Remember, this isn't the probability,
it's only the remote possibility. It's
what will happen II they get hold Of
any Of us, but they have to catch us
before they cook us, and we're fully
forewarned, very. respectfully FORE
armed-and-I'm conceited enough 10
thing that brain for brain, we out
point them. The chances are 100 to
] against their getting their hands
on any one of us, but the one chance
is what we must guard against. SO
take no risks. remember, after / am
gone. I'll keep an eye on you while
I'm here"
Il will do whatever you wish--you
know that" I faltered,
II know it." She put her hand on
my shoulder. with comforting, COM
radely touch. Have you seen Tom
Chester yet?"
"A Case OF Puppy Love-"
The query was an abrupt one. and I
guessed that she had put it more to
divert my mind from the sinister pic
ture she had just been drawing than
because she cared for any answer to
It.
''No.'I haven't" / replied, II asked
Father about him, and he said Mr..
Chester had been very restless today.
! thought 1t would be better to wait"
Lillian looked thoughtful.
ITS too late now, Of course" she
said. But you'd better plan to 60
in to see him the first thing tomor-
row morning. The poor lads just
sick enough to have worried a lot
about you. Your father. with the
early Victorian attitude which you In
variably find in former man of the
world appears to take the ground
that nobody of the male persuasion
save himself and Dicky has any right
to express any concern over you But
= have a sneaking pity for the poor
lad. He has as bad a case of puppy
love as l ever saw in youth of his
years and discretion. f'e
n Madgc Is Ill.
8 While. of course, he'll never annoy
youths is the worship of "a star at
fitude. "sshe went on. yet youll have
to squelch him eventually. But just
now he's sick and so upset and rest
less that his convalescence is being
seriously delayed. He needs glimpse
of his divinity. and a few kind yet
iudicious words. So let me know
when you're ready, and I'll call on
him with YOU"
Whenever you think best II
found myself saying. mechanically, al
though my mental reaction to her as
tonishing words was anything but
stereotyped.
I had seen--being a woman with
average perceptions-that young Tom
Chester was more than ordinarily in
terested in me, but to have Lillian
put it SO BADLY into words, startled
me. I had sense enough to perceive,
however, that she regarded his emo
lions in much the same light as she
would an attack of measles or
for Marion. She would
humor the child while she was i'll
and reserve all necessary discipline
until she was we'll again.
"All right, I'll be in after break
fast" she said cheerily. Nov, get
to bed. You need a. good nights sleep
about as badly as any one l know.
Good night"
Good night. I'll be all right in
the morning called after her, but
I boosted without result.
The next morning l could not lift
my head from my pillow. because Of
an attack of my old enemy. neuralgia
headache. Lillian and Katie cared for