New Britain herald., 1923-02-13
The Queer Problem a Telegram
 Brought tn Madge

I went hack to the Hiss apartment by the unT0mantie subway eneennE tefing on ihe way nothing more per- tentons than the ffoWn Of dYspep- tiesioaking subway guard
 Ipan reaching the apartment ' found Claire Foster lo0king as II she had not stirred since left her, She was still in the sOiled negligee and k's emrlers Of the morning, and l Wan- deFed with a little feeling Of disgust when she meant 10 get herself into civilized garh
 "LO Madge," she greeted me ill- dolently without stirring when l had entered by means Of the laiehkey Dleky had given me, 'l hope you've had as delightful day as l have al' though it couldn't have been hs lazy a one, Talk about your country rf- treats This living in an apartment where nobody knows you has 'em all skinned for solitude and quiet I've only opened the door once and that to a telegraph messenger Oh, yes. the lanitor sent up some things on tse dumb waiter ["
 "Telegraph messenger" l repeated in quick alarm, ignoring tho latter part Of her sentence No one save Lillian knew Of our whereabouts. and it had been hut n few hours since l had telephone her the information. What could have happened at home in so short an interval?
 Don't look so panic-stricken," Claire laughed "Thc telegram wasn't for you. IL was addressed 10 Robert Bliss"
 "oh !" The exclamation voiced a heavy weight lifted from my heart Did you take it?''
 "Yes, did" she returned, her tone agreed. but what Dicly dubs my infinite capacity for worrying began suddenly dubious. 'I wast't sure what it was best to do. if had known where Dieky was I would have telephoned him about it. but l hadn't any idea, and so l though I'd better hold it here until he came"
 Have Your Snoozc."
 You did the only thing possible" 1 functioning with speculations as to tho importance Of the yellow envelope which . saw upon the mantcl.
 Suppose it held a message of death or desperate illness either to the host or the chateaine. something which brooked no delay? Through my brain went half-dozen wild ideas for find ing out some possible way of getting that telegram to it's destination. bu, I had to come back at last to Clai.e Fasters solution of the problem.
 Pm going to lie down for q few minutes" l announced, feeling as l did so all the accumulated fatigue and nervousness of the afternoons ex- perienee pressing upon me. Well have plenty of time to dress for din- ner when I get up, unless you want to dress now. If you do, I'll take the couch in the alcove."
 You'd never rest there she re- turned, and I'm in no hurry to dress. It won't take me long when l get at it. Run along and have your snooze. You look as if you needed it"
 A Sharp Contrast
 T don't believe I shall sleep" l said but I had no idea how really exhausted I was, and after l had ex- changed my gown for a negligee and had removed my shoes and settled myself luxuriously in bed l knew nothing more until Claire Foster shook me gently and laughed amused ly when I looked up at her with startled eyes.
 "Dicky's here, hungry and conse- quently ill-natured, she said, and as long as I have no legal obligation to be the goat for his crankiness, l promptly beat it. If you want to tackle him, al fright, but I'd advise you to put on chain armor first. How about it? Do you want to dress first for dinner or shall I?'"
 There was but one answer for hostess to make, and I made it. Then putting on my slippers and tidying my ruffled coiffure, I trailed my negligee into the living room after furtive glance into the mirror.