The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-10-01
Married Life
the Second Year
By MABEL HERBERT URNER.

II met them at the station with !
l. l. the surrey and old TOpsy. They !
were due at $50, but the train was !
almost an hour late So it was dark
when they drove through the quiet
streets.
Over everything was the sultry Ian !,
guor of a spring night in small !
village. The wide tree-arched streets, !,
the twinkling lights from the houses
set far back in the yards, the faint
fragrance from an occasional flower
bed on the moist night air. even the
sound OF old Topsys hoofs and the
creaking surrey had a charm of it's
own.
Topsy herself turned in at we'll
known gate and drove up to the side
porch. A stream of light came from
the door which Aunt Mollie threw
open as she ran out to meet them,
while Rover rushed up leaping and
barking ioyously.
Toms gone off, so I'll have to put
Topsy up myself" said her father, as
he led the horse back to the stable,
while the others went on into the sit
ting room.
Aunt Mollie was exclaiming over
Winifred. "Why, Helen, she's beauti-
full! What big blue eyes! And look
at the dimple when she laughs. Why
she is much prettier than the pictures
you sent us"
oh, those pictures were just cheap
snap shots Warren took"
And how is WARREN" inquired her
aunt. You father and | did not think
he would let you come. But | suppose
he will soon be coming after you"
NO" Helen answered. after a slight
pause. Il am afraid he is too busy
for that"
But, Helen you are thinner and so
pale" Aunt MOllie sazed at her an
Xiously as she helped her off with her
wraps.
Haven't you been well?"
why, yes, l have been fairly we'll.
But you don't expect married woman
to be as blooming as young girl
do you
'Of course | do. After two years
of marriage a woman should be in
her prime. But we must not stay
talking here. Supper has been ready
so long, | am afraid it will not be
fit to at. Why, Elizabeth, to Helen's
mother. you look all tagged out
Yes, the trip was pretty hard on
mother answered Helen.
We'll. you will all feel better
when you have had a good supper.
Come right on out; it is on the table
now"
And here is Martha" Helen shook
hands with her cordially Martha
had been the hired girl" in their
family for many years, and was devot-
ed to them all
DR.. Allen. having put up Topsy,
came in now and they all sat down to
supper. He bowed his head and re-
peated the few simple words of grace
that he had used ever since Helen was
a little girl
Had it not been for Winifred beside
her she could almost have imagined
that she was a little girl again: for
everything was the same. The same
china, the same caster in the center
of the table, even the same silver
plated napkin ring on the spread
wings of a bird was before her plate
Why. mother. my old napkin ring"
turning over to where Helen was en-
graved on the side.
Yes, Aunt Mollie has been using
that. Her horn one got broken"
NO, no. father. only one piece OF
chicken" as DR.. Allen helped her to
both the breast and a short leg from
a heaped up plate of fried chicken
before him.
Martha has made your favorite
cream gravy" smiled her mother
You remember how you used to love
that over your bread?
Helen laughed. Il don't think I've
had anything as good as Martha's
cream gravy since I left home"
Martha. who had just come in from
the kitchen, beamed with pride.
And salt-raising bread and ounce
jelly and stewed blackberries. These
are the things l miss so much in New
York. They don't have them stewed
fruits and jellies and preserves every
meal as you do here. Oh, no. Wini-
fred mustn't have them! Just the
rice with little milk is all she can
have tonight"
The Family Group.
After dinner they gathered around
the big reading table in the sitting
room Aunt Mollie got out her GRO
Chef work and they talked of all the
family happenings since Helen's mar
rfage.
1t was ten o'clock when DR.. Allen
finally said. Mother, you and Helen
are too tired to stay up and talk any
more tonight. Go to bed now and
get up bright and early in the morn
ing"
Helen smiled. How often had she
heard her father say just that
She kissed him affectionately good
night
Half an hour later she was undress-
ing winifred in the room that had al
WAYS been hers. And it was still just
as 1t used to be. Nothing had been
changed. The school-day pictures and
trophies still hung about the walls,
Over the bureau were the graduating
class In all the awkward pride Of white