New Britain herald., 1923-05-31
The MsE Leila ilaached Home
 and Her Ilnan

Hsss Ihans quick ear must have caught the rurF of The iaNi's meter, for il had no sooner stepped heiars the NsTanda steps Of inc hnrker home than thr door opened and she appeared her ithe, srarefnl figure thrown into relief hK the eleriFiT porch light, which sine evidently had snapped on inst before epenlng ihc door.
 Hello. folks ,n she called gailg, "Hore they are. Mother nuFkee,'
 shr flung ihe information over heT shoulder. as she came down the steps of the teranda, and put out eaFdial hand 10 Alfred, who was descending from the taxi,
 "'i.o, Ress," l noted gfaiifiedy that his tone and hand shake were emi- nenily nerfHheioFy, and that his whole attention was eentered upon iho nrob- lem of getting Leila comfortably out of inc taxi
 Whatever hcariaehs Alfred had caused his bride hy his attention 70 licA bean. Leila nt least would not ho compelled 10 see her injury suh- ordinated 10 conversation with the other woman.
 1 saw Hess Deans eyes marrow as Alfred turned again to the interior Of the taxi.
 I'm Not Huri''
 What's the mRttcr?" she asked, but her peremptory intonaiion almost made a demand Of the query.
 ssI train. 1 leaned forward. and spoke ih my smoothest. slkiost tones. Alfred will carry her upstnirs-if you'l just hold that door open for him"
 There was nothing for her to do but 10 assent. and shc was shrcwd enough to do it gracefully.
 "Oh. surely" she said. and turned toward the house, as Mrs. Dur, cu came through tho door. woIidercd if Bes8 Dean would use the quick wit | and tact with which she is natural | ly endowed to roassurc the little won- an, and the mex, q ,cond l paid her an admiring mental tribute as her voice rang out gaily.
 What do you think Lcila's done. Mother Durkee? She's turned her ankle so she can get herself carried . upstairs. I'd never have the luck 10 have | good looking man handy if should turn mine. No" with cm- phasis, as little Mrs. Durkee caught at her arm. "She isn't badly hurt"
 I'm not hurt q bit Mother" Leila called. 'tI know I could walk if Ali would let me. But he is so stubborn"
 sLillful Diplomacy
 She was comfortably settled in AL frcds arms as she spoke, and the smile she gave him was worth mans close attention. But my scrutiny, TptSfunctory answering smile and his voice, though it was roughly tender, had an irritated infection, or so 1 fancicd.
 I'm All of that and then some" he said and you're not going to put your foot to the ground, so stop fus- sing about it. Thank you, Ress,' as she swung wide the door, You're q good scout
 There was not mistaking the genal- ity Of the smile he dashed at the STdCe1ui ETH WnOSc eyes we're luTllNt- iy watching him. l saw Mrs. Dur. kee glance swiftly from Bess Deans face to that of her son, and unseen by either, her own countenance look on an aspect so incongruously foroci ous. that despite my anxiety for Leila, 1 had hard work to keep from laugh ', ing aloud. 1 caught the little woman's hand as I passed her, and gave her fingers a significant squeeze $ Keep Bess down here" l mur I'll go upstairs and help i Leila"
 She gave me q experiencing re- turn clasp,
 Shell stay down here" she whis- t percd ,indictively. and then raised | her voice for the benefit of the ; others. 'Madgc, you know just what Leila needs, will you go up and take care ,f her with Ali? Call me if you need me, although two of you will be plenty. Call me if you need anything. IT if you want me to telephone the doctor. "Bess," she turned to her, "youl tecp me company down here, won't sou? How glad l am that you girls ,rc here tonight, 1 would have been