The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-03-21
Her MOther=in=law

come and live with us. She VIII be here tomorrow"
 q thought she lived in Milwaukee with your sister,"
 "So she does" said Pierre, but she and my sister don't seem to agree
 "Ohw said l. thinking how disagree able she must be to quarrel with her own mother.
 My mother-in-law arrived the next day-a fat old lady, with a purple com' plexlon. a sharp. black eye and fringe of false curls on either side of her face.
 What" said my mother-ln-law. "a black silk dress at homer And she rcrutlnlzed my simple toilet with pen etratlng gaze. Does Pierre's Income admit of thatT
 "Plerre's Income has nothing to do with t." returned gayly. "l bought the dress myself It was one had be- fore we were married"
 "I should advise a gingham or all paca for home dress" said my moth er-ln-law.
 "Plerre likes to see me In black silk" protested.
 "AIen know nothing about such things" said my mother-in-law.
 That was the beginning of 1.-the be ginning of course of meddllng and crltlclslng and interference that nearly drove me frantic. She dlsapproved Of everything on principle.
 "My dear Ella" said she, that great. tall sister of yours ought to be earning her own living"
 But she must get an education first" ilcaded I.
 Education. Fiddle! What does a girl like her need except to read and write and cast up accounts? l should 'hnk she might get a place as cash girl In a store Instead of living oh Plerre's charity"
 colored hotly.
 "If Pierre Goes not object" said |, mo one else need"
 "I don't like to see him imposed up On," said my mothcr-in-law.
 She grew more and more dlsagreea blc with me every day. IL wasn't a week before she got the housekeeping money away from me.
 "l shall spend it so much more eco nomically than young thing like you. Ella" said she.
 But at the months end she had to ask Pierre for another S10 to balance the bills.
 Things are so much higher here than In Milwaukee" said she.
 But noticed that very evening that my mothcr-ln.law came home with new bombazlnc dress. And l put two and two together How could | help it?
 She told Pierre that was lazy and cxtUvagant. She asked him if Cora was to stay forever, "sponging" her living out of him. She shook her false curls and groaned out that she didn't see where all the money went to. And through it. all she prctended that she was very fond of us all.
 "Of course" said she. "lt would be a lcal pleasantcr for me 10 stay with my dear daughter In Milwaukee. but al ways prefer duty to mere personal! qualification"
 You are very kind, mother" said lear. stupid Pierre. who put Implicit talth in everything the old lady said. went into the other room, when Pierre and his mother had gone out without thinking Of consulting me to get new china tea set!
 Cora" said I, "l can't stand this 'lcrrc has go, to choose between his mothcr and me" "Oh. Nelly" said Innocent little Cora "I mean lt. said |. But how l was carry cut my programme l had moi be least idea.
 Fortune however. favored me. Cora nm, home from school the next day ~l'h a high fever and In day or two hc broke out with scarlet rash.
 There Is a great deal of smallpox ronnd." said Pierre. v.;a troubled ace. "I fear it Is that Al all events, Nc lad better all hc vaccinated. How ucly that my mother Is here to helr 'rrsc her"
 Hut Mrs. Wallace. Sr.. presently came town sial~s In the bombaZlne dress with Pierrcs best leather travelling bag her hand.
 "Why. mother" said Pierre tn aston .hmcnt. where are you GolngT
 Home" said Mrs. Wallace grimly; 10 MilwauLce.'
 And leave EllaT
 Fila will do very we'll" said Mrs. Wallace. "l don't mean 10 stay and expose myself to the smallpox. My own health Is the first consideration" And away went my motl.er-in-law without even stopping for the formal ty of a goodby."
 Pierre set his teeth together
 "I would not have believed" said he. that any human creature could be SO selfish or so cold hearted"
 Pierre" said I. creeping up to him. don't be afraid. It's only the measles that Cora has. And wouldn't mind the smallpox itself If 1t only helped to rid me of that old lady. 0h. Pierre, she has made me so wretched!'
 "My darling Ella. And why did you not tell me soT' he asked.
 "She was your mother Pierre, and all that could say would not have opened