New Britain herald., 1924-05-02
How Leila Relieved the High Tension
 of Her Nerves

cast a quick. furtive look around the room before speaking again to Leila Durkee. No one was noticing us at all, sheltered as we were by the half-drawn curtains of the alcove bay window.
 Katherine was busying herself with the arrangement of the flowers We had brought, her face alight with the ioy which the touch of blossoms al ways gives her-I know no one who loves flowers as does the wife Of my brother-cousin.
 Dicky and little Mrs. Durkee were putting to shame any pair of mag pies ever in captivity, and l knew that I could speak freely.
 s"TelI me, dear" l said softly. lay ing my hand over hers, how Is It with you? Is-everything-all right?"
 I was sorry for the question when saw the tears yelling into her eyes. But she dashed them away spiritedly, and managed a wan little smile.
 "I Don't Sec"
 '.It is-and it isn't" she whispered. "Alf-is--wonderfu lovely color crept into her face. and her eyes were starry as she looked at me. But though I am sure he doesn't see Bess Dean away from the house any more, she keeps tn coming here. He isn't particularly nice to her. but you know he can be absolutely rude to her--and wouldn't have him either-in his own house .' All the horror of ap- bearing inhospitable with which her southern Lirth and training had en- dowed her showed in her face. And, of course, neither Mother Durkee nor I can"
 She hesitated, and I finished her sentence for her.
 .Treat her as she deserves" l said sternly. "Well, I can. and what's more, I'm going to do it !"
 But how can your" she urged. "She strikes me as being person whose mental epidermis is pretty thick. She's not particularly sensi- tive is she?"
 "She would win the palm away from any rhinoceros," I said acidly, for my heart was hot against my for mer colleague. whose vanity and wish to annoy me were being evidenced by her petty persecution of gentle Leila Durkee.
 .Then--I don't see"--she began doubtfully.
 "But l do," I returned. note of memory had flashed into my mind, and I felt that at last l knew where I could forge weapon which would compel Bess Dean to listen to rea- son.
 Leila .swayed toward me, and put her hands upon my shoulders.
 A Chi.alric World
 "oh, if only l never need see her asain.' she breathed, and my heart constricted with pity for her. and anger against the girl who was caus- ing such mental suffering as l saw Leila was enduring.
 Useless to say. as my common sense urged me that she was magni- lying things unduly, and that her dread of the girl, now that Alfred's eyes had been opened. was as need less ss 1t was undignined.
 Leila is not the type of woman who can weigh matters with her head instead Of her heart. Gentle, lovable, high minded. generous, she is "clinging vine"-beautiful if cherished. forlorn, indeed, if the ten- drills of her sensitive, loving soul are bruised. There is but one thing to do for siirh romen nrotect them aR much as possible, for one never can change their outlook upon thingz Fortunately. 1t is n chivalric world, and the Lcilas of it, if they are wins some and appealing. find many cham pions, both masculine and feminine.
 put my arm around her and drew her close for a second.
 "You won't have 10 many times more" I promised. And if were in your place, I would not appear when she comes to the house. You certainly do not care what she thinks, and I should plead headaches or any other Ills so that you conid lock your self into your room when she is here"
 "what would Alfred think?" she asked timidly.
 "Nothing that Is not loving and tender" assured her. Tell him the