The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-06-06
That's simple nonsense"


sending any Of them. knew that the
Inother-in-law held the fort. and 50
long as she did the situation would re-
main as 1t was. Therefore l saw no
object in delivering the letter to the
husband. for whom 1t had originally
been intended. persuaded Ethel to
put 1t away. IL Providence decreed
that we were to make use Of II to bring
about the reunion Of a divided family
we would find 1t out in time. But
consented that Ethel should write the
injured wife that should she ever have
occasion to make use Of the letter to
let her know.
After some time a reply came contain
ing an apology for the delay in writ
ing. stating that poor. dear mamma"
had been very III. and II fear ] shall
not have her with me long"
Let us hope" remarked, "that she
may be soon transferred to-
john exclaimed my wife severely.
Notwithstanding this shock had
given Ethel ] noticed that every morn
ing after that she took up the newspa-
per and carefully scanned the death
notices. Three months passed before
her daily watch was rewarded by see
ing a notice Of the death of Mrs. Stead
man. beloved mother of Mrs. John
Ridgewood" knew what had happen.
ed from the pleased look on Ethers
face when she looked up from the pa
per at me-a look she strove in vain to
conceal.
THAT poor woman" she said. has
lost her mother"
"Sad. isn't it?" replied.
"The funeral is to take place on
Thursday"
"What have we to do with that?"
''Why. I'm thinking that after it's all
over we might send that letter."
perhaps 1t won't be necessary. The
brute may see the notice and go home"
II do wish you wouldn't be so cyni-
cal. Even If he does see the notice
he may not 60 home. He may feel too
antagonistic to his WIFE"
"She can write him another letter.
The old lady having taken her depar-
ture. 1t will probably get into the mall
you have no evidence that she in
tentionally prevented the other one
from getting there. The wife may not
feel in the mood to write another let
ter I'm going to send the one we have
to the hushand-that IS. If you can dis
cover his present address.
"That's legitimate" l assented.
Holding n letter addressed to him. you
have perfect right and good reason
to deliver Ii to him. ! think the day
after the funeral would be good time
The wife, having lost her mother. will
probably have soft spot in her heart
for her husband"
Ethel was so pleased at the idea Of
being instrumental in reconciliation
that she failed this time to reproach
me for my cynicism, begging me when
l went to business to look up the ad
dress OF John Ridgwood that we might
have it by the time his mother-in-law's
remains were transferred to the GENE
terry. had some trouble In finding the
desired address since Mr.. Ridgewood
had removed to nearby city. Indeed,
/ did not find it for week after his
mother-in-law's funeral AS soon as
received II put the letter his wife had
written him into an envelope, ad-
dressed il to him and mailed 1t. I
feared certain reproaches contained in
It as to his treatment Of the old lady
might antagonize him. but since the
cause of the rupture was now removed
and the rest Of the letter showed deep
affection hoped for the best.
One evening about week after the
forwarding of the letter. when my wife
and were reading In the library,
there was ring at the doorbell and a
card bearing the name Of John Ridge
wood was brou ,ht in.
"Show him in here" Ethel said to
the maid. anxious to hear what he had
to say.
Mr.. Ridgewood. instead of showing
that british cast Of countenance which
might have been expected Of him. was
a benevolent looking. frank spoken
gentleman.
81 have called to thank you" he
said. "for forwarding to me a mis-
placed letter and to tell you that 1t
came in the nick Of time to restore me
to my wife and children. Ours was
case off, He hesitated.
"Mother-in-law," supplied.
Fright! So bitter had been the
breach that doubt II after her moth
er's death my wife would have writ
ten me another such letter. and con-
fess intended to remain away from
her forever unless she did. The letter.
coming Immediately after my wife's
bereavement. turned the scale for both
Of u.s. am happy to say that found
my children quite well, and
Your mother-in-law in heaven" I
supplied.
"Poor womanw my wife added, with
a frown at me.
II dare say" Mr.. Ridgewood went
on. that / should have borne with
more patience, for my wife's sake and
for family reasons II for no other,
those little frictions which are liable
to arise In any family
where there is an element Of dis
cord in an outsider" supplied again.
Since did not this time specialize. my
wife refrained from attempting to
frOWn me down