The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-05-15
A MOTHER-IN-LAW.

como to this: Your mother must so. Upon
that point I'm determined
Jack Hadley saw tho tears come into his
wifc's eyes as he spoke, but it had taken
him too long to screw himself up to his
it, now it was reached. Therefore ho pre-
tended not to notice hor and went on:
"You SEQ how things stand. 1t is just
three years since made you my wife, and
took you down to Bognor for that little
wedding trip wc both enjoyed so much.
When, on our return from that all too
short honeymoon, your mother proposed to
como and spend little timc with us, 1,
for my part, must admit although some
what avcrSc to the principle OF the thing
did not raise any objection to the proceed
ing, for, rs wc were necessarily new to tho
responsibilities of housekeeping and were
making fresh start In life doomed tho
experience of an older hand All advantage
to us both and thought that you, Polly, in
particular, would be glad to avail yourself
of mothers help in those domestic con-
Germs WHICH form such n largo item in
young married woman's affairs"
Ho paused, momcntarily, relieved at
having thus far safely delivered himself of
IL speech that had taken much timo to put
together. His wife remained silent and
he continued:
But when it camc to weeks and then
months, and your mother gave no indica-
tions of returning to tho maternal abode
/ began to consider if VIC wcrc not having
too much Of good thing, and whether it
would not bo better for Ills both if we could
DO left to ourselves and make the attempt
to walk alone. This l have delicntcly sug-
gcstcd to your parent Oh several OCCASIONS
but she has refused to take tho hint and
now, as I say, it has como to ths-that
she must DO told plainly to GO
"You SEQ, Polly" Jack won't on, "your
mothers not exactly an ordinary person.
She's not content to adopt the attitude OF
visitor and tallo back sent On the CON
trary, she keeps herself continually in the
front, and oven affects to rule. In truth,
she does rule, for nothing Is allowed to be
done in this house unless her approval has
been first obtained. If n new carpet is to
be bought, your mother chooses the mate
rial When the walls want rcpapcring, it
is she who selects the pattern A picture
cannot be hung without her first being
consulted rs to the position, and oven in
the preparing of the daily dinner your
mothers tastes and wishes always have the
first consideration.
I've had just about enough of it," he
concluded, with n bit Of unstudied candor,
land the thing must stop. AS tho old lady
doesn't seem inclined to leave of her own
free will, and refuses to take ~ gentle hint,
she must bo told to 90 in language that
she cannot misunderstood"
Then you must tell her." sobbcd Pol
ly, for I cannot. 1t would break ms
heart
Jack had hoped that the disngrccah!c
task might DO undertaken by his wife,
who with her natural womanly tact,
would, he thought, bc able to manage the
affair little more skillfully than he could
hope to do but, having put his hand to
the pillow, he was not going to turn back.
Very vol, then, Polly" he said air
lily. "Ill tell her myself tomorrow, what
ever the consequences.
Mother law" said Jack, the next
day. having found his opportunity, "I'vo
got something particular TO say, affecting
yourself"
Affecting mcr' calculated tho old lady,
adjusting her spcctacles in neat littlo
stimulation of surprise $50 on my dear
John; I'm all attention"
Jack screwed himself up, and went on:
'l--wc-that is, your daughter Polly
and have now been married three
years.
"Thrcc years." broke in the old lady.
Dear me! How tho time flies 1t hardly
seems three months Wcll?''
Jack didn't altogether like that "Wcll:"
but seeing chance of striking hot iron
went for il ut once.
1T is three years, though he said,
land you, mothcrin-law, have lived with
us all the time"
"Ah, yes, John, 50 have" said the old
lady blandly.
"And I've, that is-haYc como to the
conclusion that-that-wc should now like
toto live alone"
Tho old lady Strengthened herself up
briskly
"Oh, John Hadlcy," shc said stinly, 1T
see what you mean. You want to turn mo
out of doors. Is that it?"
Not exactly that" put In Jack dcprc-
catingly. "Wo should never, of course,
think OF turning you out but we certain
~ ycnturcd to hope that you would pruba-
bly, see your way living ut your own homo
i'll tho future, as no doubt you intend to
do"
II quito understand, Mr.. John Hadlcy,"
returned the mothcr-in-law frcczngy.
ITS just the same thing I'm not fool,
and can pun two and two together Very
well, it shall be as you wisli-I will go to-
day.
There is 10 need for such great haste, "
said Jack mildly. "a week or two. or
three, would give you time tonrrangc your
plans and would quite suit ours"
Enough; go at once, said the old
lady, moving toward the door, us If pre-
pared to act instan;cr. "Onc word before I
leave, She said, pausing mt tho threshold
and speaking mnjcstically. You said
we DO L understand that my daughter
is party to this little proceedings"
Your daughter, Mrs. Iaslop," said
.Jack stuno INTO - comu,ndino, tono Ia,