New Britain herald., 1916-12-11
Ve1vs for Theafev G0eys nnd Women Readers
REVELATIONSOF A WlFE|
By ADELE GARRRGN


 Mrs COsgrOve'S eyes were constant ly upon me during the rest of the breakfast at the Cats1ill mountain farmhouse. I could feel their steady scrutiny even when my eyes were lowered to my food I knew that she was trying to ascertain whether or not l had discovered the deception that she and her husband had practised upon the breakfasters, when, by means of different clothing, they had made It appear that both their twin sons had been present at the table.
 The evening before I had idly tested my powers of observation by finding a characteristic Of one of tho boys which the other did not possess. I felt certain that I was the only one at the breakfast table, savo the father and mother, who possessed this know ledge 1 was genuinely sorry that I knew the secret when I met Mrs. Cos groves eyes, full of somDre misery, and saw that she dreaded my know ledge.
 When Diclly at last pushed back his plate and declared himself satisfied, it was a real relief to me-
 I'll just run up and get my things and then we'll start" Diclly said to mo.
 He went Up the stairs with a bound. Mrs. Allis and the two other boarders had left the table some minutes be- fore, so that there was no one except the CosgroVes and myself in the dining room. 1 purposely delayed rising from the table, for I had no wish to encounter Mrs. Allis outside.
 MT. Cosgrove and the boy, Ned left the room Immediately after Dicky. I was certain that it was a signal from the mothers eye that had sent them away.
 A moment later she drew her chair close to mine and sat down. Deep lines were graven in her face, her eyes were tortured like those of an animal in pain, and she seemed to have a curious hesitancy of speech.
 A Promise Given.
 Mrs. Graham," she began at last, I am going to ask something strange of you. l rarely make a mistake in faces, and I know that you are woman of sympathy, and one who can keep a promise"
 She stopped a moment, wiped little beads of precipitation from her fore head, and went on again:
 Please tell me, Mrs. Graham she inquired anNiously, "can you really tell my boys apart?'
 I looked straight into her eyes. I felt that she was entitled to a straight forward answer.
 "Yes I can, Mrs. Cosgrove," I an swered quietly. Then you know" she half whis- pered the words furtively, that there was only one boy at the breakfast table this morning when they all sup posed there were two?' "Yes, I know" She sank back into her chair and put her hand to her eyes for mo- ment. As she took it away, l started at the look of anguished appeal she gave me.
 'I cannot explain to you now, Mrs. Graham, why I'm carrying on this de- ceptiOn,'' she said q can give you my word of honor, however, that it is a necessary one and one in which there is no possible wrong. But if the deception and the reasons for it were made public, great harm would be ! done an innocent, unfortunate person. You are stranger to me, but may I 1 ask you not to betray the knowledge 1 you have?"
 I reached out my hand and laid it | firmly, reassuringly, upon the trem- | bling. well-worn fingers touching the l tablecloth.
 "I shall not mention what I know l to any one, save, perhaps, my husband, l and I can assure you he will not re- l veal It..
 l Her only response was the turning of her hand, palm upward, underneath l mine and a clenching of the fingers in a grip that hurt.
 '"Thank you,' she said calmly, and | rising went into the kitchen with as unperturbed a mien as if she had simply been consulting with me about my wishes for dinner.
 I was glad to get out into the glorl- 1 ous autumn air with Dicky. It seemed as if the very atmosphere of the homelv farmhouse was stifing, brood 1 ing with mystery.
 we have quite a walk in front of | us" Dicky said. Med or Fred or l whatever his name is, says there are , some good pools about half mile up the stream. DO you want to go along