New Britain herald., 1924-05-24
Why Madge Struggled to Win a
 Laugh From Dicky ..

T hate to have you go, Madge."
 Leila Durkee's arms released me with reluctance as l kissed her good by. I knew that Bess Dean was in the back aof her mind and that she counted on me to stand between her and the unwelcome machiaations of my former school colleague.
 "I'll be back soon," 1 told her sig nificantly. And in the meantime" playfully, remember nothin' can get you while Edith's around"
 T knew it." she returned, smil- ing fondly at her sister. then added loyalty: Or Alfred, either"
 "Of course not" l assented, all though I commented that her hus- band would be a much less effica- cious protection from Bess Deans unwelcome presence than would her sister.
 "Good-by old dear" Dicky's voice held the amused. caressing intona- tion that always tinges his tone when he speaks to Leila. Take care of yourself and mind what Edie tells you. She's dying to boss somebody and it might as well be you"
 He hummed the last words pro- vokingly, as he turned to Edith.
 A Narrow Escape.
 "So long, Edie :" he said careless iy & little bit too carelessly, l said to myself. "Tll probably drop in with Mother on our way to Miehi- gan; she'll want to see Mrs. Durkee before Her, Fluffiness starts for North Carolina"
 That will be splendid" Edith as- sented with just the right amount of perfunctory cordiality. I'd love :, to see your mother. Good-by, Madge. Don't forget to come to see Leila and me while we're housekeeping"
 Never fear..' I replied, forcing my voice to gaiety.
 Then we were in the car and i, moving toward the gate. with the consciousness in my mind at least ! that the two sisters were still stand 1 ing on the eeranda looking after | us. I was driving, with my eyes ' watching the road, but I knew that |, Dicky looked back, waving his hat as l we turned Into the main road and the 1 knowledge did not increase my com- posture.
 Look out !' Dicky shouted hoarse- ly, and I swerved the car just in time to avoid striking a telegraph pole.
 What in time happened?" he de- manded. Here ! I'll take the wheel if you're going to do any more stunts like that"
 "You'll do nothing of the kindly snapped. giving my fraycd nerves the relaxation of irritated words. i 'The car slSidded bit. that's all | but I righted it in time"
 "Tll Not Speak"
 It was lame excuse, but I could ! hardly tell him the truth that his their promise Of seeing her soon again and his turning for last glimpse of her. as my innamed imag. ination interpreted it, had momen- tarily robbed ne of volition.
 "Skidded, my eye! That's 8 good one!" Dicky jeered. Tt skidded about as much as I did. You weren't or paying attention to what you re-doing. and you relaxed your grip on the wheel"
 - And I'll probably do the same thing again." I retorted spiritedly, rif you don't stop nagging me. don't criticize you when you're driy- ing, so please be sportsmanllke, if you can"
 added the last words for good was nothing pleas ant about my mood and Dicky snort cd.
 "I'1l not speak to you again if you climb every tree on Long ls- land" he said, slamming himself , back against the seat and folding 1, bis arms tightly across his chest as H to keep his rebeIlious speech down |, by main force.
 We drove for half an hour in this ridiculous silence. with my con- r science prieklng me harder at every f mile the speedometer registered. If After all, my common sense told I ne, there really had been nothing I 1t all in Dickys demeanor 10 ind1- < rate any more interest of his in i Edith Fairfax than in any other s friend of long standing. His irrita- lion st my swerving of the car was 4 hot only natural but justified, my v Dn ertal fpnttisffion went on and rnv q,