New Britain herald., 1915-10-22
Sleepless Hours of Waiting Are Lone ly Hours, Indeed.

our living room after Dicky had in dulged in his temper fit and gone ou., presumably to Lillian Gales party" I contrasted the little leaping flames trying so hard to initiate an honest wood fire, with the heavy shadows upon my married life. Mine was only an imitation happiness, I told myself bitterly.
 Then I put myself through a couTse of severe self-analysis. Was mine the fault that so much of bick- ering had been crowded. into the first few weeks of our marriage? If this were the index of our future better, far better, that DIcky and I should part at once and go our separate ways.
 A wave of utter misery swept over me at that thought. Life without Dicky, even with his faults, would be unbearable. With him there might be misery, without him. nothing but utter blankness, life devoid of any meaning.
 I remembered my old cyincism about married happiness. I had not believed that there could be such g. thing until Dicky swept me off my feet with his love. Now I asked my self if ever man and wife had so much bitterness and quarreling pack ed in such short space of time as Dicky and I had experienced this last week.
 I knew one solution to the prob lem, but I could not bring myself to take it. Dicky was a darling when not crossed. I only had to study his every whin, to subject my will always to his, to ignore his outbursts of petty temper when household affairs annoyed. and would have peace. ~'~ But my self-respect would not al- low me to take that course. Katies philosophy came back to my mind. eff you do all times vat dey want, no times vat you want, den dey tink you one carpet, dep wipe feet on you''
 No, for Dicky's good and my own could not blot out my individuality. The problem looked unsolvable from any angle.
 A Cordial Invitation.
 Katie's voice startled me.
 "Missis Graham, you not hear tel ephone bell? It ring, ring tree times. I answer it for your"
 At any other time Katies costume would have provoked a smile from me. Her hair was elaborately twisted up in crimping pins, and she wore a gorgeous pink flannelette negligee of the quality which the cheaper stores sell at a dollar. But I was in no mood for smiling.
 T will answer 1t, Katie" I re- piled. Thank you for reminding me-
 That's all right" Katie still stood by my chair Evidently she intended to stay while I talked
 xxyi1I l gently, as took down the receiver, the kitchen and shut the door.
 Lillian Gales voice answered my hesitating Hello"
 ."Is that you, Mrs. Graham? Good. Your husband has just told us how bully you were to insist upon his com ing alone"-what on earth had Dicky been saying ?-"and I told him I was going to call you up and see if we couldn't persuade you to come ovar for just a little while. I'll send Harry or Dicky with taxi for you Harry says he is coming-and we'll make }Dicky come home early, regularly shoo him out if you feel you can't stay. Won't you please come?' Her voice was eager, cordial, but fancied I detected beneath its ap- parent friendliness a feminine 1 triumph that Dicky had come witho me- and a feline curiosity to know l how I was taking his defection. AL l most any bride of three weeks stand | ing, I fancied, would show some l resentment if her husband left her alone and went to the home of an l other woman, even if the cause of the going were bitter quarrel.
 The Diplomatic Reply.
 A cold determination took posses, sion of me. This woman should learr nothing from me of my real feelings Dicky was evidently playing the game I certainly would not lay down my 1 cards. My voice was as cordial as hel
 own as I answered her:
 Dear Mrs. Underwood, if only
 dared I would be with you now. Blu | have things on hand this week tha
 absolutely must be attended to- If ..
 do not rest after one of these head l aches of mine I am apt to have a req
 fit of illness. I am going to bed now
 and please tell Dicky that there is nc reason why he shouldn't stay as late as he likes. I am so glad he could go
 and you may be sure if you'll forgive
 me this time and invite me again | will surely come to you"
 There was a note of admiration 1T
 her voice when she spoke again. Req
 or feigned it gratified my vanity. l You're a dead game little sport anyway" she said, land I appreciate your letting Dicky come. It wouldn't seem like one of my parties, without
 Dicky here. You can wager anything you like I'll invite you again, and 1 make sure you come, too, Good. night"
 She did not offer to have Dicky come to the telephone, for which ]
 was devoutly grateful. I was not sc l dense either that I did not grasp he1 parthian shot concerning Dickys con.