New Britain herald., 1916-04-18
How Mrs. Graham Won Her Way
 With Dicky by Madge's Help.

lily intention or gong to Mrs. Under- wood with the object of finding out the secret of her past friendship with him.
 If my mood had been less serious should have laughed at the ludicrous picture he presented as he stared at me pen-n1outhed, mingled astonish- luent and rage on his face.
 "1ou-you,' he stammered at last
 ou don't dare do that!'
 T dare do anything I retorted, although in my heart I knew that his words were true and that never could I so humiliate myself or Dicky as to ask Mrs. Underwood for solution of the mystery.
 Have you gone clear out of your mind ?' Dicky demanded eXcitedly, but any reply I might have made was forestalled by the tinkle of the tiny bell in my mother-in- laws room, a bell which l had provided that she might summon some one to her bed side when she was alone in the room
 We both started hurriedly for her room. On the threshold of the kitchen I paused.
 Remember, when your mother speaks to you about this do not ex- cite her. Agree to everything she says
 Good Lord." T heard Dicky ejacu- late as I hurried on to the door of his mothers room. "Is mother kick ing up q row about this, too?'
 I was afraid she might have heard his speech, but evidently she had rot, for she smiled at me as I bent over her bed
 Did you have good nap?" asked.
 ''Splendid." she returned. "I have not felt so refreshed since my illness began.'r
 T am so glad. What can I do for you?"
 What Dicl<y Promised.
 I had learned to use this phrase with my mother-in-law. She disliked intensely having any suggestion made to her. But fortunately she always knew exactly what she wanted, and was not at all backward in asking for a i'd, so I was able to gratify her wants without the usual mental be- wilderm ent which accompanies wait ing upon an invalid.
 Shake up my pillows, get me a glass of water, and send Richard to me, if you please"
 I performed the trif1ing services for which she had asked, and then hesitated.
 Don't you think you ought to wait until you are stronger before you talk to Richard about anything exciting?'
 Who said was going to talk about anything exciting?'' she re- torted, eying me shrewdly. Then with a return to the manner I had so disliked when she first came to us, she said sharply:
 Please don't meddle with what does not concern you. Send Richard tc me at once."
 I felt my face flaming at her rude ness but I walked into the living room without irritating her with any reply.
 Your mother wishes to speak to you,'' I said quietly to Dicky, then walked past him to the kitchen. I did not wish to be within earshot of the conversation. As I entered the kitchen I heard the door of my mother laws room close, and realized that she, too, was taking no chances upon my overhearing any thing not meant for my ears.
 It seemed a long time, although it was really but a few minutes before the door opened again abruptly, and I heard Dicky's voice.
 All right mother, all right Don't worry" His tone was the same one would use toward a child teasing for something difficult to grant. Then his mothers voice startled me-
 "Richard, those words do not mean
 |, woman never enters this house. It is an insult to Margaret for you to throw her into intimate companion ship with Mrs. Underwood
 Mother, you simply cannot un- derstand,' Dicky began hot1y, then evidently remembering my warning about the danger of exciting his mother, he altered his tone
 "Tli promise whatever you wish, mother. Now so to sleep again.
 Thank you, Richard" Her voice was SO faint that I could hardly near it. and I did not need Dicky's cry Of "Madge!" to send my feet fly ing to my mOther-in-laWs side.
 It was as I had feared the un- wontcd eXertion had affected her heart. It was a very slight attack, however, and l was able to revive her without calling Miss Sonnot
 \ Startling Voice.
 Dicky, white-faced, frightened, looked on as [ rubbed his mothers hands and gave her the drops she always used for her heart attacks I had a little malicious satisfaction in his fright, for I knew he had dis regarded my aGmonition and had at tempted to argue with his mother the question of his friendship for Mrs. Underwood
 As tho color came back into my motherjn-laW's cheeks I laid her