New Britain herald., 1916-10-30
REVELATI0NS0F WIFE,|
By ADELE GARRLGGN

shouldn't get there, don't wait luncheon for me-"
 Il don't wait luncheon for any tody.' my mother-in-law returned tartly, and went to her room. Off to Lllian's.
 I was glad when she and Dicky finally got away and I could go un- hindered at the many last little tasks l " hich preceded my locking up the house for the week.
 When they were finished I dressed carefully for my lecture to the Lotuh club in a rather elaborate gown of { dark blue charmeuse. The little sport suit I was to wear on the boat I packed carefully in a light pasteboard box. The hat which went with it I wore, as I was to change it at Lillian for the fetching little creation I had bought under Lillian's supervision ] As I locked up the house and stood waiting on the veranda with my box for the taxi which was to bear me to the station I felt all the glee of a child let out of school for a holiday It did not seem possible I should really have a whole weeks holiday with Dicky. I felt that I begrudged even the after noon which I had to spend with the Lotus Study club. Usually I enjoyed my sessions with the club, but on this particular afternoon I looked forward to my talk before them with dread in- stead of pleasant anticipation. 1 l snatched a bite of lunch in the grill at the railroad station, and then
 went straight to Lillian's where l l furnished up a bit, donned my new hat, and made ready for my after nOon's ordeal
 Why Everybody Gasped. Lillian held me off from her and looked me over critically when I was ready to start.
 You'll put all their eyes out" she said extrava gantly, as she kissed me.
 Don't let that old Smith cat put any thing over on you today
 | I could not help smiling at Lillian s
 disrespectful allusion to the august secretary of the Lotus Study club. { Mrs. Helen Brainerd Smith. I had
 told her the history of my notable
 clash with Mrs Smith upon the occa-
 sion of my first lecture, when she had
 offered me only half of the stipend We i had agreed upon, because the women
 of the club had not finished their
 routine business in time for me to : have but one-half of the time allotted , me.
 I had come off decidedly the victor
 upon that occasion, and Mrs. Smith
 had never forgotten 1t. She was the , richest woman in the club, and by
 virtue of her position and wealth a veritable dictator. I knew that it was
 8 distinct triumph for me when the
 women of the history section unani-
 Tcously voted to engage me for an-
 other years lectures at an increased
 stipend. It was one of the rare occa-
 sions in which her personal preference
 Tad been outweighed by the wishes Of 1 the mem bers, and I knew she bore
 me no good will for it.
 I was to meet her this afternoon for ] the first time in months. I dreaded i the cool, airy, almost insolent patron
 age with which I knew she would ! treat me. But it was about the only
 penalty of a very pleasant and 1ucra- l tive position, so I resolved to ignore ! her unp1easantness as much as pos
 sible.
 1 As I entered the club rooms, which
 were already we'll filled with women, I
 heard a unanimous gasp of astonish-
 ment In another moment I knew
 the cause, for advancing toward me,
 with tightly compressed lips and i flashing eyes, was Mrs. Smith, stately, gray-haired, faultlessly attired as ever l But on her head was the exact coun- ! terpart of the hat I was wearing,
 rolled brim, ermine trimming, even 1 the red rose.