New Britain herald., 1923-06-07
The Aseaiss.i CFs That Was MThg
 From Alfral

From Aifnal
 There was distinct feline enjoyment feF me in the involuntary start Alfred pnrkes gave when, upon his return 10 The tsNirah after eseaFtiRg Iiess Dean ta her daAr, ] told him that did not accompany them just for the drive,
 That he feared mY knawledge and subsequently, Leils's af some secret concerning his ear which he and Bess Dean shared, l knew, for l just had overheard fragments Of the huTr Fied warning she had given him while he was opening the door of her home for her,
 IftI had not received other and more interesting information st the same time, 1 might have taxed him boldly with my partial knowledge, for was ready 10 defy an eanans Of good breeding for Leila's sake, Rui The mention nf niekys name which l was half-eertaln Bess had meant me to hear, had shown me a far easier way out of my dilemma,
 remembered nieky's ineNplieahle embarrassment of the night before when Leila had mentioned Bess Deans name. and the memory made mo ceF- tain that he also shared tho secret, whatever it was, As soon as he came back from his journey, l meant to have the whole story from his lips,
 l could not have contemplated this. had not been sure that whatever the secret was. Dicky's part in fl held no soupeon Of sentimental interest for Bess Dean. He had used an ap- parent Interest in her too often for the mischicyous purpose of exciting my jealousy. for me to have any per- scnal worry over her maehinhtions And [ was sure that his personal rec action to her wns much the same as my own.
 Terrifying News
 Dicky admires Bess Deans bril- linnce, he immensely enjoys the ca pacity she has for making even triyal things excruciatingly ludicrous, and he despises most Of her other traits. Armed with this comforting knowl edge, could attack Dicky boldly on Leila's behalf without any handicap Of jealous misglring on my own part. 1
 had no wish to give Alfred any hint of my plan, however, so when his half-defiant. half-apprehensive: i What do you mean?" sounded in re- | sponse to my remark. l hastened to explain.
 His patent trepidation, however,
  picion that he feared Leia's dis covery of something which he was concealing. The instances when in soueiane Alfred Durkee is discomfited even momentariy are few, and this was distinctly one of them.
 Tt is about your mother" said briskly. "she wished me to tell you something about herself"
 For an interval of several seconds Alfred didn't reply. He had expect ed something so different that he had to readiust his perceptions before he could take in what I had said. Then with a quick Intake of the breath, he grasped my arm roughly.
 Mother :" he exclaimed. and in his voice was stark fright. l have al- ways known of the deep affection which exists between this only idol ized son and his mother, but I never realized it's strength in Alfred until that alarmed cry. For the instant he was a frightened little boy, but he pulled himself together the next sec ond.
 "Madec You Don't Think--?"
 Forgive me, Ma1ge," he said, re- leasing my arm. I'm certainly a prize specimen to behave like this. But tell me, what's the matter? Is Mother ill?"
 T am afraid so" l replied gravely, and then, without further ado, told him of his mothers secret journey to me in the city. of her visit with me to Dr. Foxham's office, Of the verdict the physician had given after he had examined her and listened. to her , of the pain which had been troubling her, and last of the : title woman's request that l should .ell her son and Iaughter-in-law of , Ter trouble. tr Alfred listened in tense silence, and he gleam of a passing street light { ihowed me his face drained Of all ? ,olor When had finished, he gtrtfck l list into an open pals and exclaimed I