The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1916-09-13
REVELATIONS
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w Lillian Underwood and ] sat
in the big tapestried chairs on either
side OF the glowing fire IN her library |
She had instructed Betty her maid. to
bring her neither caller nor telephone
message until our conference should be
ended ftc two doors leading from the
room were locked and the heavy velvet
curtains drawn over ,herp, making us
absolutely secure from intrusion.
81 suppose so" The answer was
banal enough, but it was physically inn
possible Tor me to say anything more,
My throat was parchcd, my tongue
thick, and ! clenched my hands tight .
ly IN my lap to prevent their trem-
bling
Mrs Underwood gave me search /
iug glance, then reached over and laid .
| her warm firm hand over mine
"Scc here. my child" she said gent .
| ". this will never do. Before tell .
/ YOU this story there is something YOU
must be sure Of Look at me No mat
/ ter what else you may think OF me do
/ YOU believe me to be capable of telling
YOU a talSehood when | make a state
/ mcut To YOU upon my oath
Her ewes met mine fairly and square
/ ly Mrs Underwood has wonderful
eyes. blue gray expressive They hone
out from the atrociou, mask OF make
up which she always uses, and I'M
rcScrycdly accepted the message they
carried to me.
81 am sure YOU would not deceive
me-" returned quietly. and meant It.
Thank YOU Then. before begin
my story am gong to assure YOU oi
one thing, upon-my- honor.
She spoke slowly imprcS,vcly her
ewes never wavering from mine.
You have heard rumors about Dicky
and me; You will hear things from
me today which will show YOU that
the rumorS were justified in part, and
yet-I want YOU TO believe me when
| tell you that there is nothing in any
past association OF your husband and
myself which would make either OF us
ashamed to look YOU straight in the
eyes"
believed her would challenge any
one in the world 10 look into those
clear, honest eyes and doubt their own
ers, truthS'
There was a long minute when J
could not speak had not known the
iull measure OF what feared until
her words lifted the burden from my
soul
Then had my moment, recognized
it, rose to it leaned forward and
= returned the earnest gaze OF the woman
opposite to me.
Dear Mrs. Underwood" | said
why tell me any more | am perfect,
" satisfied with what YOU have Just
told me- Be sure that no rumorS will
trouble me again"
Her clasp OF my hand tightened un-
I'll my rings hurt my flesh Into her
face came a look OF triumph
I 81 knew it." she said jubilantly. 81
could have banked on you. You're a
Y big woman, my dear. and believe
! we arc going to be real friends
e She loosened her clasp OF my hands,
Y leaned back in her chair and looked
for a long, meditaQvc moment at the
fire
"You cannot imagine how much cas-
'er your attitude makes the telling OF
my story" she began finally
But just assured you there was
no need for the telling" | interrupt
ed
"Dicky's Name Wasn't Mentioned"
IL know But IT is your right to
know and it will be far better if you
are put in possession OF the facts. II
is an ugly story | think | had better
tell you the worst OF II first
| marvelled at the look that swept
across her face Bitter pain and hu
initiation were written so plainly tha
! looked away Then my eyes fell upor
her strong. white, shapely hands whicl
were resting upon the arms OF hcl
chair They were strained bloodc'
\ where the fingers grpped the tapestrieC
I surface
i When she spoke her voice was low
| hurried. abashed Seven years ago
/ she said my first husband sued mt
/ for divorce and named D,cky as z
correspondent"
sprang from my seat
1 on, no, no, no, CTlcu, 0dIull
| knowing what | said. Surely not.
| remember reading the old story whel
/ you were married to Mr. Underwoot
l three years ago--lNe always admret
| your work so much that I've read ever
| line about you and surely Dicky'
| name wasn't mentioned. | would hay
remembered it when met him,
know"
There, there" She was on her lee
beside me, and with a gentle yet com
10 pelling hand put ME back in my chai
Her voice had the same tone a moth
= er would use to grieying chile
"Dicky's name wasn't mentioned whe
= the story was printed the last time b'
= cause at the time OF the divorce NJ
Morton withdrew thc accusation he ha
= made againss him"
= why" The question left my lips a
= most without clifton | senSed som,
|. thing tragic, full OF meaning for II
behind the calm statement she ha
!. made.
The Price She Paid.
. She did not answer me for mlnu
- or two,
IL can only answer that question {
u your word OF honor not TO tell Dicl
what | am going to tell YOU" she sal
. 1T is something | have never to