New Britain herald., 1926-04-05
Lillan's BantcrIng Talk With Philip
 NcritIcn Thrills Madgc.

Vcritzen Thrills Madgc.
 have not been Lillian Under- woods most intimate associate for years without acquiring familiarity with her most subtle variations of infections, Thus, when she answer ed Philip Ncritzen's plea for assur- ance that she was going 10 be his neighhor on the Drive. l knew at once that she shared my eg0tstical but persistent impression Of the real destination intended for the gallant little speech Yet il WAS all mat ter of tone. Her words were an an- swer 10 his challenege.
 If only 1t were true, Phil.' she sighed as she deftly guided us through the traffic of the main Drive. q can think of nothing more charming than 10 sit on your door step of q Spring evening and watch tho moon upon the Hudson fry 10 emulate the famous Neritzcn ef- fects,"
 She shot a sly, teasing glance at him, but he ignored the flatterng gibe and did not answer her until we had reached the park wall,
 "Now. my dear" he said with a manner of giving a child a lollypop t'here is the Riverside Drive Park you say you have lived twenty-five years in New York without seeing. Gaze your fill upon it, and then, if you wish I will take you to Grants Tomb, the Woolworth Building and the Statue of Liberty. But l am des- plated. Ever since l saw you going into that apartment building this morning I have been hugging to my heart the prospect Of swinging on your gate.
 "rd love 10 sec you at it," Lillian rejoined with an irrepressible burst of laughter. while my own lips twitched with the mental picture of the polished Broadway ornament clinging to the formidably high iron grills which guarded our apartment building. But Mir Neritzen kept 10 the chalkline of his role. His face showed only gentle melancholy.
 You know that I would perform acrobatic feats for you" he said re- proachfully. But do appease my curiosity. If you are not going 10 pe my neighbor, then why the"
 "Moving day program staged so effectively at your door?' she inter- rupted My dear Phil, don't you know what happens 10 small boys sometimes when they get too in' quisitive?"
 She paused long enough to let her rapierlike eyes play over his face in search of betraying expression. l knew full well--thcn went on with a quick little nod toward me.
 But won't stand you in corner this time and I'll gratify your over weening curiosity. Mrs. Graham has taken the sccond-floor apartment in that building near yonr home, and, as I am her hardy perennial side kick, I am helping her get settled
 So the hanCsome house from which Philip Nerit2cn had just de- scended, was his own home. l tick cted and filed the fact. even hs l caught the undisguiscd interest and pleasure in his own eyes as he turned eagerly toward me.
 How wonderfully cnchanting." he said, and he managed to make har- monic with his poiso and dignity the flamboyant words. His eyes said subtly that he meant the tribute solely for me, yet the next instant he had turned to Lillian with an equally flutt"ring glance.
 "For youll be with Mrs, Graham q great deal. won't you"' he asked with the effect of pleading. "Pcr- haps after all these years l shall be able to get you into my library for that chat and cup of tea you've been promising mo for ages
 She looked at him steadily for an instant. her eyes full Of disconccrt- ing. laughing raillery.
 You colossal old darling fraud!" she said. But l may call your bluff, at that. some day. If l do l warn you shall have an axe to grind.
 "I shall give orders immediately 10 have the grindstone set up in the drawing room" he replied graNcly. and Lillian gave his arm an apprecl- ativc little pat.
 "Tcn nc" she said, what are you creating now - don't mean the thing that's ready or one that's an- nounced for next year or the one that's half donc--I have line on all those. but the one you're muiling around in the back of your brain
 He laughed indulscntly.
 "Snll the restless. inquisitive child you always were" he said. But don't mind telling you that I really have an idea which I think Is going to be worth whiIc-pcrhaps you r. member-that historical pageant sort of thing about which l used tc talk to you years ago.
 Philip VcrltEcn Reveals His
 Theatrical Ambition
 At Philip Ncritzen's reference tS tho plan for dramatic production which was as yet untouched, but which he had been considering foi years. Lillian dropped her hani"rlr. air. and there came into her eye' ih' look which is only there when sf' i'