New Britain herald., 1926-06-01
Madge Meets a Srangcly-Acting
 Research Student.

Lucia Meredith was SC absorbed in the book she was studying and which she evidently wished to con- Ceal from observation, that l was able covertly to study her face with out her becoming aware that my at- tsntion had wandered from the his tortoAl tonnes piled around me. She was such s past mistress Of the secrets O. aids 10 beauty that there vas no trace in her face of the rav- ages which I guessed illness had left there. But her hands were pittully thin. and I guessed that her eyes, if could see them. would tell the story of the early and inevitable death which. unknown to herself, awaited h r.
 Bnt sven though I knew that vir- tually she was a dying woman, J could not smother the aversion which was mine for her. nor my horror al the prospect Of Katherine g nursing her through her last ill., nsss wi:h both women sharing the knowledge that Lucia's husband adored the little nurse. l was sure that Lucia had insisted upon the ar engagements 10 camouflare her own plan of seeing as much Of Philip Scarsdale as was possible. Yet though Katherine shared my be- lief, and though Hal Meredith all but forbade her 10 undertake the task Of nursing Lucia and I begged her 10 change her mind, her con science had flogged her into a promise to Lucia. She said she could not deny dying woman's request. even though the woman were ignor- ant Of her own doom.
 Nadgc is Curious
 There must be some way out, I told myself rebeliouslv, and knew meanly that I was actuatcd as much by my own wish for Katherinc's aid with Junior as I was by my desire 10 save my little kinswoman from the bizarre. even sinister situation in which Lucia Moredith's request would involve her.
 My curiosity was stirred by the use which Mrs. Meredith was mak- ing of the book she was so careful ly shielding with her arm. With q costly fountain pen she was copying extracts from it on some sheets of thin paper which, with the pen. shg had taken from her exquisitely tool ed leather purse. Sheet after sheet she was filling. piling them beside her face downward as soon as they were finished, I knew that she was no student, and l wondered not only at her industry but the care she was taking that no one should see her work or the book from which she was copying it.
 How Odd We Should Meet"
 From somewhere came I sudden draught of air, and the neatly piled sheets al Lucia Meredith's left hand rose, whirled and fluttered to vari- ouJ resting places upon the floor and t''~ Although strongly disin- clined 10 reveal my identity 10 her. I could not withhold the courtesy I would hayc given the veriest strang- CT. and I retrieved tho lost sheets which had come near me, and. scrupulously refraining from look ing at them, faced her with them in my hand.
 "I think these are all the missing ones" I said gravely.
 She held out her hand and al- most snatched them from me
 Thank you," she said with un- gracious hauteur. then she gave a perceptiblc start l guessed her per turbation from the movement. for know of no one with moro poisc than Lucia Meredith. II is q point Of honor with her not 10 show sur prise.
 Mrs. Graham" she said with q slight upward infection of her voice. How odd that We should meet here, But you appear 10 be taking a whole correspondence course. l am afraid ] have crowded you. Perhaps would better take another table"
 Her eyes ro,cd in search of an other place. but tNe room was crowded, and I promptly uttered a conventional protest, although ! knew that sho wished proximity to me no more than ! desire. her as a study comrade.
 Lucy Meredith Explains Why Shes