New Britain herald., 1924-07-05
The Natural Question Lillian strangely Asked Madge

Knowing that l.lllian detesls long winded eknlanations--indeed, she ale most makes a fetieh of lerseness7-l tried to compress to feNesl possible words my story af Mamie and the lhr eioaks. which she had wheedlfd Katie into hiding in our attic, and Us bizarre sequel m which Harry hdef' wood had ligurod.
 Before l fairly had begun she dropped into a chair and enpped her chin in her palms in the character istic attitude so familiar To me, anu for several eternity-liks minutes aiter I had finished she dld not relax her attitude,
 When she finally rose from inc chair, looked furliNely al her mouth, Yes, had not been mistaken Etched deeply around it were the tlny lines which always indicate mental stress Tn my brilliant friend wh9 brides herself upon her ability 10 cei' cesl her emotions. Only those who love her. and know her intimately are able to read the secret or these uhS lines. the only indication her face ever xiyes that she is disturbed by any problem confronting her.
 How long can l have that girl out there?" She swept her arm toward the living room where Harry Underwood was guarding Mamie.
 .As long as you like l replied promptly. 'I made that plain 10 her before she came with me. But--you'll nnd her slippery"
 .I know" Lillian replied soberly .but-I think I can put the fear or Allah into her"
 'Tf you can't, the job never VIII be done" l replied with conviction, perfunctory that I knew she had heard me only with her sub-con- sciousness, and she began pacing hp and down the room, an emotional outlet she never permits herself nn- less with some one who knows her as well as I do. Suddenly she stopped and faced me.
 Don't get to worrying over this,' ehe said, and there was no need for her to mention Dicky's name. She knew that creeping in sinister fashion AlOnR I0e p'Nh VI '''s thoughts was the insistent little query as to Dicky's possible innocent, chival- ric but disastrous involvement with Mollie Fawcett's only too patent re- eponsibility for the costly fur cloaks.
 .sThis new development of yours hasn't complicated matters any" she went on. "Instead, I think it has simplifed things, although there's quite bit of work ahead of me. Still. if you can lend me your apartment . q little longer"
 Lillian Is Worried
 She smiled bit wanly at me. and I gave her the warm assenting nod which knew was still the answer she wished. That there was some thing on her mind other than the problem of the furs was plain, and l had a shrewd surmise as to it's nature. I was not surprised. therefore. when she gave me soul-probing look from her still-beautiful eyes, and asked quietly, but with curious little ef feet of breathlessness:
 "Madge, what do you think Of Harrys connection with this? How does it happen that he is able to make chess pawns out Of the des- perate men you described as belong ing to the gang of bootleggers who nearly did for you? Do you think"
 She paused uncertainty, and I fin- ished the question for her and gave her my answer promptly. There never is any use beating about the bush with Lillian.
 That he is their leader. do not see what other conclusion there can be. Do you?"
 "No--o-o." There was hesitation in her manner, something rare with her. And yet-one never can tell about Harry. He revels in the name without the game as melodrama- loving small boy might.
 T do not think he ever has re- covered from the experience he had as the young son of a particularly rigid clergyman" she said. "As a