New Britain herald., 1916-02-24
How Madge Game HOme."

expected, man-like, that I would con- tradict him. If I were like most women I would have protested at once that he was doing himself an in justice, and that what he said was un true. I would have believed what I said, too, for I think with most women love Is indeed blind. But, unfortunately, I think, for my happiness, my head and my heart have never been in accord. With all the strength Of my emotion l worship my husband. But my brain remorse- lessly tells me that he is not and cousin is.
 Perhaps that is one reason I adore the one and feel only sisterly affection for the other.
 However, this insight of mine was no excuse for my wounding Dickys feelings I had said simply: But l love you" in answer to his half-ques- ton. I could see clearly if I ever ex- pected to make Dicky happy I would have to learn to tell an untruth grace fully or at least to stretch the truth.
 He was silent the rest of the way home. It was not one of his angry moods, but a hurt depression that filled me with remorse. l 1onged for an opportunity to atone for my tactlessness, but found no chance for even the veriest com monplaces in the trip on the subway from Brooklyn bridge to Twenty eighth street.
 A Very Quiet Entrance.
 As we walked the short distance from the subway station to our apart c1>1,- Of thing and nothing. I saw that either he had recovered from his annoyance or else had determined to hide it.
 Lucky I have my latch key" he said, and we mounted the stairs to our apartment. If we ring the bell suppose Katie will stage her well come of the prodigal in the hall here"
 l smiled at his nonsense, but the thought of the girl waiting for me in my little kitchen touched me deeply.
 I knew that Katie's devotion was ephemeral, that a little unusual strict ress on my part, a few cross words, would transform her affection into dislike, but nevertheless, the fact that she was waiting for me, worrying about me, warmed my heart.
 There are few enough people in the world who care about me. I can count them on the fingers of one hand-Dicky, Jack Mrs. Stewart, one CT two comrades of my teaching days these are all. For this reason, I suppose, Katies who1e-souled, warm hearted admiration has been un- usually pleasant to me.
 Dicky opened the door very softly, but Katie heard the sound. She evil dently had been waiting just inside the kitchen door, for as we entered the room she sprang forward
 "Oh! my Missis Graham, my dear Missis Graham" she whispered with a furtive glance over her shoulder at the door of the room which shel- tered Dicl<y's mother. Evidently my rnotherin-law had put fear into Katie's soul. "I so glad you coon. I cry me my eyes out, tinking maybe you never come back"
 katie, You're a Brick
 She seized my hand and kissed it, and I felt her tears upon it. The girl had really been weeping, as she said Her eyes were red, and her face slightly swollen.
 1 There, there, Katie" I said sooth- ingly, stroking her hair. "Everything is all right now. I'm home again to stay
 She raised her head, her eyes brim- ming with tears.
 And you not let dot old woman send me away from you? she whis- pered, with a malevolent glance at the closed door of my mother-in- law S room. Dicky had gone to our room, and fortunately did not hear her Laf I must not speak in that way of Mr. Grahams mother
 "AIl night, I remember" replied Katie, changing from tears to smiles I as is her wont. But, Misses Graham, you coom out in dining room pretty | aueeck I feex you nice supper, you and Meester Graham"
 ] That's the stuff, Katie" said i! Dicky warmly from just behind US
 He had come so quietly into the room l that we had not heard him until he spoke.
 'I am as hungry as a bear" he
 continued, "and I guess you could relish a little something, eh Madge?" l Perhaps" I smiled back at him
 In reality I was dismayed. I had
 eaten practically nothing of the din- ner which I had planned with so 1 much care for my mother-in Jaw, and g., at Mrs Stewards home I had been 1 almost faint for lack of food, and upon her insistence had eaten a fairly good meal, in spite of my misery. I felt as if anything more would choke me.
 But I put a brave face upon it, and
 after taking off my things joined
 Dicky in the dining room.
 Katie evidently had determined tc
 make a festival of my return. She
 had taken the flowers which I had
 bought in honor of my m other law
 from the living room and added them
 to those already on the dining room
 table. The electric toaster was in its place, a tempting green salad stood