New Britain herald., 1916-06-19

How Madge Evaded Dicl1y's Excuses.
 Our journey home from Marvin was rather a gloomy one. I was still humiliated at the discovery l had made. Dicky had gone to Marvin without my knowledge some time during the winter, evidently to see Grace Draper. I had warded off gossip by pretending that she was a dear friend of my own, but I was thoroughly angry at having had to descend to such a subterfuge.
 After this little attempt to smooth matters over, Dicky sat gloomily silent I knew that he must be hungry, for it was long past lunch time We would not get home until 8 o'clock. I blessed the forethought that had made me telephone Katie from the Marvin station to serve elmer when we reached home in stead of waiting until evening" Mother Graham was on a diet any way, so it did not matter what time we ate As for myself, I was too angry and unhappy to care about food.
 But as we neared the station my beart began to soften toward Dicky. He looked so like a forlorn, sulky child as he sat staring straight before him. He had tried to mend matters with an apology and I had rebuffed him. Memories of our peaceful winter with it's quiet joys tugged at my heart. I put out my hand and touched his sleeve.
 'I am not so awfully angry, Dicky," l said softly.
 He turned quickly, and, unmindful ct possible onlookers, covered the rand with his own.
 That's my own girl" he mur- mured, beaming. And, Madge, on my honor, I can assure you"
 Please, Dicky." I put up my hand protestingly. Don't tell me any, thing, at least not now. I am not angry any more, but I don't want to talk about it. Let's think instead how we are going to manage about furniture for that house.
 eve Are Starved"
 Don't need any furniture to speak of in the country" said Dicky, with the average mans comfortable dis lnissal of any housekeeping problem. "A few rugs and chairs bed for each of us, a table and a hammock what more do you want?"
 Wait till you hand your mother that comprehensible list of house. hold necessities" I said, laughing. "l think she'll revise it a bit"
 "Oh. mother!" Dicky retorted. You know she'll kick on everything about the house, anyway. The grounds will probably suit her, but the house will get her goat, I know that. But then no home will ever ccme Up in her estimation to the one formerly inhabited by dear Edwin and Harriet"
 I laughed, I could not help 1t. Dicky's minicry of his mothers tone was perfect. I should have reproved him, but, to use one of Dicky's favor ite slang phrases, I had been rather lied up'' myself on the perfections Of my er-in-law and her husband.
 By the time we reached the apart ment, Dicky was ravenous. The well come odor of broil:ng steak and fresh coffee came to our nostrils as we opened the door, and the tables snowy whiteness gleamed a welcome to us through the dining room door.
 Well, did you find house?" Mother Graham asked as soon as VIC entered the door
 
 one word about 1t until we have eaten. We are starved to death, eh, Madge?"
 You are. at any rate,'' I returned, and hurried to remove my wraps and take the grime of the Journey from my face and hands.
 Will Katie "Strike?"
 Katie had prepared a most de- llctous dinner, and Dicky discussed every bit of it, from soup to dessert, before he would open his mouth on the subject of the house, or allow me to speak of 1t. I knew his mother was impatient, and I could see Katie's eyes big with curiosity, The sight of Katie troubled me. I had presenti-