New Britain herald., 1915-11-03
REVELATI0NS0F A WIFE|
By ADELE GARRVgON


 closed his eyes. To all my entreatio,, to finish undressing and go to bed properly he murmured sleeply: Let me alone," or said nothing at all. 1 saw that there was no rousing at all.I with some difficulty I unit stened his shoes and took them off, got off his coat, by dint of rolling him from one side to the other covered him tlp warmly, opened the window, pulled down the shade and left him to his sOdden slumber
 went back to the living room to thlnk things out, and plan my course of action toward Dicky when he should awaken to himself
 They were ugly facts I faced told myself. My husband was a drunk ard, my first impulse said-at least drinking man, a milder second thought put it. At any time I might be subjected to an experience such as this night had shown me- What was I to do? What attitude should f take toward Dicky and his fault? I never have been a tolerant wom- 1 an. l acknowledge it with shame 1 but the fact remains. And the thing toward winch I have held the most 1 intolenant attitude is that which I 1 was facing.
 l Besides my unreasoning horror of 1 drunken man, a feeling which 1 never have been able to conquer, l always have had the utmost contempt for any one so weak as not to be able to control their indulgence in liquors. l seemed to myself to have two selves as I sat there going over and over the ugly events of the night. One, the cold, critical woman whom I always have believed myself to be, urged that I treat this offense of l Dickys with calm contempt and a 1 few well chosen, stinging words cal 1 culated to make him understand once and for all that I would not remain with him if he repeated it. But a ! personality that I did not know seemed to be taking possession of me. I did not recognize the emotion al self filled with wifely love and loy- 1 atty that forgot all the misery or the ! long night, and remembered only the way Dicky's head had helplessly leaned against my shoulder and his l tender, remorseful words: "You're a good little scout to a beast like me-"
 An Unreasonable Leniency.
 All at once I realized that this
 
 a child which had grieved her, the same tolerance for faults, the same gratitude for the first sign of bet ter feeling upon the childs part. knew now how 1 should meet Dicky when he awOke to himself, with nc approaches, no contempt, only warm welcoming tenderness for the repen tance I knew would be his
 With my decision same the knowl- edge that if I did not go to sleep al once would not be able to greet Dicxy when he awoke. My head was aching frightfully. I went to Katie's door and reused her. Worn out by her vigil with me she had slept be yond her usual time of arising. T am going to bed, Katie, and yoJ must not disturb me until I call yo, unless MT. Graham awakens and asks for me. I have a very bad headache 1 and you must not call me for any thing. If any one comes or calls up or [ the telephone take the message, tel them I am ill and will call them wher 5 I am able to do so. I will take this , little bell with me, and when you heal } it ring bring me a cup of tea. If MT Graham wants anything waken me bu for nothing else"
 MT. Graham, he home? he asleep 9 , queried Katie.
 "Yes," I answered, filling a glas
 with water and starting for the othe 1 room.
 D Den he not wake till almost night, s said Katie wisely. "I no feeX lunch 1 joost som mething when you two get ur f ] know vat he have. I not go to gro l cery today l telephonee salt mack - er-el, dat all he eat after he-drinl so mooch, )oost salt mack -el, toas 9 and coffee. ] know, Vat you want :? -:ii Don't talk To me of food, Katie. ~rr" [. | said with a Shudder "I,ll hauo ,.h 4