Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-01-17

and me. What IN the world
were you doing down In the base
ment at this ~unearthly hour? No,
you needn't look at Richard" as she
caught the furtive appealing glance
! sent my husband. I'm not talk.
ing TO him: I'm talking 10 you"
For the fraction OF a second Dlcky
kept silent and l wondered a bit
drearily II he meant to let me bear
the brunt OF his mothers exaspera.
ton. as he has done so many times
In tho past. And, after all. I re.
minded myself. with a belated sense
OF justice. he was not the originator
OF the plans for fitting up the base
ment for a Christmas surprise for
the children was the logical per
son 10 explain the matter 70 his irate
mother. and I braced myself FOR the
ordeal--the only word which fits a
grilling from Dicky's mother.
Dicky Steps In.
But I had not opened my mouth
for the first word when Dicky threw
up his hand with a peremptory ges.
ture for silence.
TIN the lad who should get the
hickory stick. Mother" he said firm
~. II evolved a great thought yes.
terday about Christmas for the boys
which involved fixing up the base
ment. I emitted a few deep thoughts
about IL to me girl friend here last
night and asked her 20 look over the
ground and tell me what she thought
about It. And you ought 10 know,
Mother. that Madge. besides being
the most obedlent wife in the world,
also doubles for the very earliest
bird that ever went after a worm.
That's the explanation for her trip
downstairs this morning."
you mean that's the explanation
you're giving me-" his mother re
torted tartly. But / saw the corners
or her mouth quirk into a reluctant
smile. a tribute which Dicky's non
sense generally wrests from her. and
knew my husband had saved the day
for me.
Mother Is Placated.
But I did not dare TO send him
even the most feeting glance OF
gratitude. for I knew that hi:
mothers keen eyes were watching
both Of Us. Instead. I turned 10 her
with wath Lillian calls my best 80
connecting smile"
Wont YOU let me tell you about
Dicky's plan. Mother?" I asked
You were asleep last night when he
told me about Il. or I would have
come over then. But I'm sure you'll
love II. for it's n wonderful scheme
That's TO be seen" she said short
ly. i've listened to a great many Of
Richards wonderful schemes in my
day and I've generally found out
that about one-third OF them had
sense behind them. As for the res
OF them-thc least said the better
And I don't want 10 hear anything
now. I'm not even dressed. After
breakfast Ill talk to you. Weir
She turned truculently toward Katie
who had taken advantage OF Mother
Graham's diverted attention TO TAX,
her apron from her head and tiptot
over 70 her range. Its about tim,
you woke UP. Everybody will bt
starved TO death by the time you get
breakfast on the table"
Il foex terrible qveeck.' Katie
murmured neekly. But a few sec
onds later. when was following
Dicky and his mother out OF thl
kitchen and she supposed herself q
be alone. there came a different NUT
ter from her place in front OF tn,
stove.
DOT old scollop facet Me. / ge'
breakfast. two, tire times ofer. VILE
she get on Stats und shoes"
But there came no answering 70
proof from me TO make her realize
that she had been overheard. Hug
ging TO my breast the time-honoret
comparison OF discretion and valor
! hurried after my husband to thanl
him for saving che day.
CONTINUED Tomorrow
: cOoyriEht 1850. Newspaper Feature SERVES, In