New Britain herald., 1926-09-08
Mary is Frightened, So Dicky
 InyeStigates,

Dicky wasted no words In ques- tions as Mary Harrison panted out her story that somebody was trying to get in her door.
 Take care of her, Madge," he said, and the next instant he was running up the private staircase be- tween our second and third floor apartments which we had arranged from the old and long-disused one that we had discovered when we were remodeling the rooms.
 But paid scant attention to Mary. "Come!" I said, holding out my hand to her. I've mustn't let him go alone up there"
 "Of course not" she said, the color coming back into her cheeks, and I remembered that as child she always was courageous. When we reached Mary's room he was mo- where to be seen, but the door lead ing from her room to the dimly- lighted hall was wide open.
 Put on your Jumps and stockings quickly" I directed. for her bare feet were thrust into slippers and she had on only a thin kimono over her pajamas. Then put your. coat on and fasten it up to the neck; that is, if you want to go with me. l must find your uncle.'
 I thought I heard noise"
 She had obeyed me almost before I had finished, and despite the stress of the moment I made the mental comment that when she became an actress she would be able to change her costumes rapidly. But when we stepped outside the door Dicky came running down the stairs from the fourth floor.
 You must have been dreaming, Mary" he said, as he came inside the room and locked the door, "or else you frightened the intruder away"
 T couldn't have done that" she said stoutly, flor I didn't make a sound when I heard the noise. I just slipped out of bed. I didn't even put on my kimono and slippers until I got out on our staircase"
 Well! l didn't make a sound, either" Dicky said with a smile. but when I threw open the door suddenly there was no one to be seen. l thought I heard a fustling noise on the staircase above me, but nay own imagination must have been
 -t,,x Co ha there was no sign of anybody. l wan dered all over the halls and bath room up there-if anybody had been awake I probably would have been petted for a burglar myself-and there wasn't even a spider moving. So you see you have your fears for nothing, and can crawl into bed again. I've locked your door,"
 Mary Shares Madgcs Room.
 But Mary looked at me with pleading eyes. and I saw that she was shaking with something like a nervous chill.
 Not tonight" ] said. for I had my own theory as to the noise on the fourth floor. There's plenty of room in my bed, Mary, for this your first night here. Come on down, get some hot milk and crawl in beside me"
 She flung herself upon me with an embrace and a kiss as rare with her as they were natural to her i'm pulsive nature. But she had become so accustomed to repression during her strange childhood that 1t was seldom she permitted anyone to see beneath the flippant mask she had drawn over her heart.
 Isn't she dear. Uncle Dicky?" she asked over my shoulder
 Some misguided people evidently consider her so," he retorted. "But I am aghast at your injustice. Your Auntie Madge gets hug and kiss for the promise Of some hot milk and the sharing of her bed. while l risk battle. murder and sudden death on your account. and all l get is praises of my spouse"
 Which should be quite enough for you" Mary replied saucily. That's what men are for, to risk their lives for
 For lovely ladies'" Dicky replied with 2 mock obeisance. "l stand corrected, my dear. Go on down, girls. I'll attend to locking these doors again"