New Britain herald., 1924-07-16
The Surprise iiarrs Underwood
 Gale Madge


 Al something in Harry undeFRe0d'' voice a warning little bell tinkled away down in my consciousness, and in obedience to is signal l smolheFed upon my lips the hanterlng reply had meant 10 make 10 his admlrlne litlls comment upon my flaming color
 It was one thing 10 enjoy for a few fieeting hours this unexpected cutting at Lillian's request, m order ihsi l might ind out just what was Mir. undprweod's connection with the haotiegging gang from which he 60 speetaeularly had rescued me-
 II was another. told myself, 10 lei my own zest in inc enjoyable evening hamper my ability t0 keep the game of wits strictly in my own hands.
 Harry TeaSes Madge
 fhere Is no man of my aeqnaint- nnee quicker Of brain, more fasei- ng,'ng or more disconeerting than Harry Underwood, and while I was sure that, as Lillian had said, he never would be 'unmanageable," vet I was equally sure that. to quote her again. he would be "namboyant, sentimental and theatrical"
 Indeed. his eyes had betrayed his vergIng upon the second emotion, and I know that were I 10 justify Lillian's confidence in my ability 10 handle any situation" l must watch my steps warily.
 Therefore l made no direct answer 10 his comment. but hurried out or the door and down the broad stair way to the first floor of the apart ment building. But without actually running, and thus attracting nnde- sirable attention, I was unable to keep ahead of my escort, and before ! reached the street door his hand was upon my arm protectively. and bis deep voice was murmuring in a tone, half bantering, half earnest:
 What a startled fawn--wlth the wolves baying--it is! Must great big man not say what Is In his heart In first reel? Must he talk only about weather and high price of politics."
 The desire to laugh clutched me again. but I suppressed it heroically.
 T do not mind anything save per- sonal comments" l said, so primly that I did not blame my escort for falling back step when we had reached the sidewalk, and taking off hia hat with ludicrously mocking pretext at reverential respect, heed less of the round eyes of the passing pedestrians. mercfully few.
 Why, good evening. Mrs. Gem oral !" he ejaculated, while reflected that for a man who professed as he did to consider Dickens relegated to a back shelf in the literary ranks, he often betrayed his close reading of the immortal characterizer.
 "Haye You the Scarab?"
 T didn't know you had arrived in our midst. If you will honor me-"
 He gestured to a luxurious limou- sine, which I saw at once was no hired machine. and the door of which Pete, now most correctly attired in a chauffeur's uniform, was holding open.
 1 preceded him into the car. glad to get anywhere away from the cu- rious eyes of the passersby. and Mir. Underwood, with a low toned drec- ton of Pete as the man closed the door, went on with his nonsensical pretense.
 "I have wanted so many yesrs, Mrs. General, to hear your famous slogan from your own lips. I al- ways get it twisted. Tell me, is it Papa, potatoes, poultry, prunes and prism or should poultry be left out? I have heard 1t quoted both ways"
 You might read the book and find