New Britain herald., 1916-10-21
jVenps f0z Theater G0e7y 1znd Women Readers
REVELATI0NSOF A WIFE
By ADELE GARRBQN

The elder Mrs. Graham shuddered fastidiously
 You always did have low tastes, Richard,' she said, caustically and I wondered 1T she did not mean to con- vey the intimation that one evidence of her statement was the selection of his wife. My impression was con- firmed a moment later, as she turned to me:
 Of course, you would enjoy this form idyl sort of thing" she said, ironically. That is a foregone con- clusion after your selection of this house,
 It was one of those cutting, catty speeches which are very hard to bear, but when it had become neces- sary on the occasion of her insults to Harry and Lillian Underwood to make my mOther-in-law understand that she must never interfere in my affairs again, I had firmly resolved that I would bear, without murmuring, all the little pin bricks she chose to give me. She was an old woman, Dicky's mother, and a semi-invalid. I could surely afford to pass unnoticed the trifing annoyances if I had my own way in the big issues.
 So I turned a smiling, unmoved face upon her, and spoke cheerily
 Why, yes, mother, I do like those farmhouse resorts, but if you don't and cannot go to them, why perhaps Dicky can find some other place where we can oil go.'
 I confess I was quite surprised to see Dicky throw a wrathful glance at me instead of the grateful one for my forbearance, which I half expected.
 ''Dicky will do nothing of the kind" he declared, emphatically. You and I are going to have a week of trout fishing in the mountains, no matter who disapproves. If you'll name any place that you'd like to go, mother we'll take you there first and come back after you when we get back from the trip.'
 "Oh, don't mind me-" returned Mother Graham, with the Christian martyr-about-to-be be = thrown to the- lions expression which she often affects "I can stay right her. I'm a little too old to be taken around any where as if I were a child"
 I thought mischievously that that was just what she was, a child, and a fearfully spoiled one at that, but
  in it that I had never heard him use toward his mother when he replied.
 "A Spoiled Child"
 You know, mother, that we would not allow you to stay in a house alone there is not some place you would like to visit If there isn't, just name a hotel in the city that you Ike best, and I'll get you room and bath there for the week that we're gone."
 He rose abruptly and left the table, giving her no chance to reply, but his mother caught at the opportunity to cast a barbed shaft at me.
 "How Richard, has changed since his marriage!" she said grimly "A few years ago he would have cut his right hand off before he would have addressed me in that insolent manner and put aside my wishes as of no ac- count"
 Then she, too, rose from the table abruptly and swept haughtily out of the room. I put my head down upon nv arm and the angry tears that had tried to repress in her presence came thick and fast, but l did not weep long. I heard nasty step be- hing me, and Dicky's tender, master full arms drew me to my feet and l felt the coolness of his handkerchief dabbing at my eyes.
 "You little idiot,' he said, giving me a shake, Eff I catch you crying again over mothers nonsense Ill- I'll turn you over my knee and ad- minister a good old-fashioned spank ing. You take her too seriously; she's just a spoiled child"
 Remembering the way in which Dicky had preferred his mothers wishes to mine when she first came to us I felt with a little grateful, selfish thrill that his marriage had Dicky.