The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-01-05
Married Life
the Third Year
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.

BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.
1t was the first time Warren's moth
er had called on Helen since he had !
gone West on this Bennington deal /
And it was the worst time she could |
have chosen. /
Helen was almost panic stricken for !
fear Mrs. Morrison, her roomer, would
come in at any moment During the
week she never came home until six.
but this was Sunday and she might
come in at any time.
Helen was almost uneasy with her ,
mother-in-law. She always felt that
her attitude was critical one, that
she was always looking for something
of which to disapprove. And now
should she find that Helen had taken
roomer without Warren's knowledge
or without consulting any of his fam
ny-what would she say
And Helen knew with horror she
would view Mrs Morrison's rouge and
peroxide hair. There were nine chan
ces out Of ten that she would go
straight to her room and Mrs. Curtis
would know nothing. But there was
the one chance that she might come
into the front room to ask If anyone
telephoned while she was out.
10 you think YOU should keep that
plart so near the radiator?' asked
Mrs. Curtis critically.
is it too near? It's been there all
winter" answered Helen.
'N ell, it isn't good for any pot plant
to be kept so near the heat. l never
keep mine on the same side of the
room with the radiator. And my plants
always look halthy."
Helen thought this little plant look
ed vrly healthy. but she did not ven
ture to say so Instead she moved the
jardinere TO the other side of the
room. If Mrs. Curtis was not finding
fault with this, it would have been
something else, and she was glad it
was nothing more personal than the
plant.
Here Pussy Purrmev strolled leis-
urelE int" 'he room, stopped short on
seeing Mrs. Curtis, and gazed at her
with grave inquiring eyes.
Il So Eul still keep that cat" dis
approringly.
ooh. yes, she's so much company for
Winifrcd, and she's really a very dear
Kitten
OBJECTS TO KITTY.
And now Pussy Purrmey jumped up
on tina couch and shifted at Mrs. Cur
tis's black coat.
Dent let ner lie on my cloak
cant bear cat-hairs.'
oh, she never lies on anyone's coat
unless they like her. She seems to
know that instnctively."
And the kitten promptly verified this
by giving a last disappearing sniff and
then Jumping over to a chair where
she settled down, her beautiful bushy
tai. around her, and her green eyes
still fixed on Mrs. Curtis
Well. I'm very glad she knows I
don't like her" sharply. None of our
family could ever endure cats. l don't
see how Warren puts up with this
one
"Warren has grown very fond of
Pussy purrmew,' answered Helen
very quietly, trying to keep down the
feeling Of antagonism her mother-in-
Law somehow always aroused.
oh he may pretend that for your
sake" disbelievng. But no Curtis ev-
er liked Il cat. Well I must be going;
/ want % Get around to see Carrie
this afternoon.
Ola, it early yet-must you co."
murmured Helen, hoping desperately
that she would go before Mrs. Morr-
son came in
Eyes I promised Carrie I'd get up
tueIe III COultl. wen 1 suppose you
don't know just when Warren's com
ing h2ck?" as she fastened her black
fur collar.
"<;, his last letter said he might
hive to stay a couple Of months Ion
ger.
JUS here, to Helens dismay, the
hall door opened. For second she
held her breath, but the steps went
straight on down the hall. Then the op-
ening and closing Of another door, and
she knew Mrs. Morrison was safely
in her own room If only she would
stay there until she could get Mrs.
Curtis out,
But Mrs Curtis was drawing on her
black kid gloves with exasperating
slowness. Helen moved suggestively
toward the door, but Mrs. Curtis wait.
ed until she went out into the hall
and Helen had her hand on the out
side door to open it--Mrs. Morrison s
door opened suddenly. And Mrs. Nor
risOn appeared
"Oh just wanted to ask if any one
phoned while | was out?"
"NO-nO one phoned,' stammered
Helen.
Aud with a THANK YOU Mrs. Nor
TisOn went back to her room and clos
ed the door. For a moment there was
dead silence.
Mrs. Morrison" said Helen, and hel
voice was almost icy.
"Oh you didn't say you had any one
visiting you"
Il haven't" Then. desperately
''That is a Mrs. Morrison who has rent
ed my spare room"
Rented your spare room. Why
Why almost suffering IN her aston