New Britain herald., 1923-05-04
The News nieky nipiomatieally
 Bnoke tn Madge

AHc NEhH hNhs ntpiuAttaththtt
 Broke to Madge
 T tell you there's somebody there pleky's voice held the frantieally eE asperated note which faulty lslenhen service invariably brings 10 most pee ples
 Hello Hello :" I intsrposs' eagerly,
 There's your party now" Central voice was frigidly righteous,
 That you, Madses" Dieky asked imnatiently,
 "Yes, What Is its Anything wrens at hamef" voieing the fear which il never away from me.
 No No !" with increasing imna, tienee, By love, you must have heer pounding your ear for fair, not te hear that telephone when its 70 neaI your he'd" |.
 have learned to smile al Dieky's propensity to jump at conclusions where once l resented il, and pur- posely made my voice eonciliatngy.
 But wasn't asleep, pieky." I said
 Nonsense :" he interrupted rudely, then with sudden recollection, Sorry, Honey, didn't mean that"
 ''I know it," return equally, "hut tho telephone rang only once. I awakened several minutes ago. saw your note, read 1t with a good laugh you clever old dear-and started for the telephone to call you when II rang"
 Well I'll be-boiled in oil" he evidently hethought himself just in time Of the rule concerning certain words barred over the telephone wires. And that girl after telling me at least dozen times, I'm ringing your party finally told mo sh" couldn't get you"
 GO Nherce"
 Never mind that now" raiG soothingly "I'm very much here, and all ears, What's on your mind?"
 First, how do you feel?" There was genuine so!citud" in his manner which made me glow with pleasure.
 Splendid. Couldn't be better"
 Are you sure? Not bit Of pain ?"
 Nothing but hunger, I'm raven. ous.''
 Good 1. Then I'll dare go."
 Go. Where 2" My voice was be- wide-ed. and am afraid bit timor- ous. ] am not always quite easy about Dicky's sudden and necessary journeys out of the city.
 Hutton has wired for me, and it will mean at least three days away haven't answered him, because I wanted first to be sure you were al! right. But if you feel perfectly well. want to leave in an hour. Will you pack my bag. please7 I'll run up for it on my way to the station Of course" I assented. Like Katie, feeX eferyting.
 I heard his relieved, hearty laugh. and felt well repaid for the effort it had caused me to speak cheerfully.
 Dicky is on Again
 Always my Little Old Reiiable,' he said fondly Then, with an abrupt change to crisp decisiveness. Here's another thing. ] don't want you stay ing in that hole while I'm gone. I'll { be worried to death about you with that gang in the back. Can't you run out to the Durkees7" "Ill run further than that" I said | with swift longing vision of my It, [ tie lad at the farmhouse near Sag Harbor. "Ill take the afternoon train ! out hone.'
 Good Wish I were going in that . direction instead of the other But, look here--I want your promise if anything should happen that you missed the last train, not to stay there tonight alone"
 Nothing would induce me to do 3D." returned truthfully, so you needn't worry. How long before you'll be here7"
 About 40 minutes" he returned. ''Goodby."
 I turned from the telephone, hur- ried down the hall, and set coffee going in the percolator. Then I ran back again. dressed hastily. gulred town cup of coffee. and getting out Dcky's smartest bag, packed it care fully. It is task I have often per. so 1t was neither arduous. nor lid it take me long knew better ,Ildll lD GlDsN IL, lDT llChS ulNay5 IlHS some last minute idea of something le wishes to take along but leaving ] space near the top for any emer- yency parcel. I set 1t near the door, Ind laid on my desk the memorandum ,f every article in it for Dickys in- pection,
 Then, with but few minutes to mare If nirky'e 40 I tran forir, cd nv ,ed into the davenport couch which 5 it's masquerade by day and gave he room what my mother -in-law calls Tick of promise"
 And then 1 heard the bell of the utter apartment door, but when lew 10 it, expecting Dicky, I was onfronted by the unexpected figure I f little Mrs. Durkea