New Britain herald., 1916-02-23
News for Theafer Goers and Women Readers
REVELATI0NSOF A WIFE
Q without any encOurageme ent
Its Due You"
By ADELE GARRICON

| mine.
 Its Due You" Evidently he did wish to speak of Jack and did not know just how l tc go about 1t, for his next words were accompanied by an embarrassed 1 flush.
 | nave confession to make ahout your cousin. Madge," he be- gan carefully avoiding my eyes, land might as we'll get it over with be- 1 lore we reach home. Mothers prob ably asleep, but she might wake up, l and then there would be no chance for any talk by ourselves '
 Don't tell me anything unless you wish to do so, Dicky," I replied gently. T am content to leave things just as they are without question:
 ''No,' Dicky said stubbornly. Its i due you and it's due your cousin that l tell you this. 1 don't often make bally ass of myself, but when I GO l am about as willing a person to eat dirt about it as you can find" ! 1 never shall get used to Dickys 1 expressions. The language in which ! he couched his repentance seemed | so uncouth to me that I mentally shiVcrcd. OutWardly I made no sign, 1 however,
 l "When he came tC the apartment" Dlcky went on, T was just about as nearly insane as a man could be- l had no idea where you had gone &nd l had just had the devils own ! time with my mother and Katie over your sudden departure With Katie," I calculated, startled into speech
 a reminiscent grin. With Katie very much indeed Evidently she had been listening at the keyhole for when you had closed the door she first rushed after you and failing to catch you came back and gave me a piece of her mind
 T knew she was hot-tempered" he went on, But I never dreamed she had quite so much tobasco and cayenne in her composition Scound-r-r-e-l,' and B-r-ute' were the mlldest names she bestowed upon me. You can imagine the effect upon mother who stood listening.'
 'I Love You.''
 'What did your mother do?" I breathed.
 "Discharged her on the spot re- turned Dicky grinnins, but before she had her things packed had calmed down enough to go into the Kitchen and tell her to forget 1t. When I told her I was coming after ycu she almost fell on my neck with joy. I suppose she's getting the l fatted calf ready for your return 1 about now.
 But I didn't start to tell you about l Katie' Dicky switched the subject l daterminedly. '1 might as we'll get ! it off my chest When your cousin l! came in and introduced himself the ] first thing I did was to attempt to 1 strike him.
 'Oh Dicky, Dicky," I moaned, hnrritied, What did he do?'
 Dicky's lips twisted grimly.
 Just put out his hand and caught my arm, saying with that calm and quite voice of his:
 "I shall not return any blow you may give me. Mir. Graham, so please do not do anything you will regret when you recover yourself!
 'I realized his strength of body and the grip he had on my arm, and even my half-crazed brain recognized the power of his spirit. I came to, arologized, and we had a long talk that made me realize what thunder ing good fellow he must be-
 ''I don't see why you never fell in love with him. Dicky continued. ' Hes a better man than I am, v ne paraphrased half Wistfully
 In the shelter of the seat I slipped ny hand into Dicky's and pressed it timidly
 But I love YOU" I whispered.
 Across Dicky's face even as he re- f,1r nf fell shadow. l realized that it was not the answer he expected that thOughtlessly, I had wounded him.