Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-20

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MI EN- Towards parents came to
w see me. l do not know how they
knew. but in some way the news had
reached them that my husband and l
were expecting our baby. Probably
this was too much for the womanhood
in Mrs. Boyd. However undeSira BILE
she might think me as a daughter-in-
law. nevertheless my baby would be her
sons child. The primitive in her doubt
less responded. Mr.. and Mrs. Boyd
must have talked it over a long while
before they came, she pleading and he
holding out against her. FINALLY they
decided il would be best to call upon
me. I do not know what they expected
to find. Perhaps a girl who would be
willing to do anything if only she might
obtain some of Mr.. Boyd's riches. AL
though l do think by that time they
should have begun to relinquish this
idea of me.
Howard and l had been married for
nearly year. And as yet we had made
no move to ask his parents financial
assistance. 1t was literally true that
/ would have preferred 10 have gone on
without it. Just now, of course. We
were i'm actual difficulties. But we were
putting up the best fight We could. 1
had been forced to give up my position
with the insurance company because of
my illness. We were having to save
every cent we could toward the inn
pending doctors bill. Howard had sug-
gested that he go to his parents for as
sistance. But / had pleaded with him
not to do so. Perhaps II was foolish
pride on my part, but l wanted to pull
through by ourselves If we could.
1t was at about o'clock of a week
day afternoon that Mr.. and Mrs. Boyd
came to our rooms. Howard was, of
had been sitting by the window sewing
upon the tiny garments that were piling
up one by one in my dresser drawer.
There was knock on the door and /,
thinking il was tradesman, called to
come in without rising from my
place. Some instinct told me at once
who my visitors were. / arose nervous
Iy. l did not want to see them, not be-
cause [ feared the encounter morally,
but 4 knew that very strong emotions
were not good for me at this time.
You are Mr.. and Mrs. Boyd?" 1 said
as / held out my hand to my visitors
I know because Howard looks so much
like his father. Won't you sit DOWN."
And to my mother-in-law:
Can l get you something? a cup Of
tea or some toast? Everything is real
ly very convenient here. 1t wouldn't
take me a moment to get what you
wish"
Mrs. Boyd told me nervously that she
did not care for tea.
Well" said my father-in-law, put
ting his hands on his knees and look
ing about him, mo wonder Howard
hasn't come home! You look pretty
comfortable to me here. No need of
sympathy, Ell. mother? These young
people seem to be getting on pretty we'll
without us" And then, abruptly:
what does il COST"
Howard is earning SIS week.,
told my father-in-law proudly. II used
to earn $40 a week. But 1 have had to
give up my position with the insur-
ance company, of course. But we're not
starving and we're very comfortable
and / flushed girlishly. Were very
glad that you came to see us. l hope
you will wait until Howard comes in to
see for yourself how we'll he is"
Mr.. Boyd growled
I'VE heard about the baby" said Mrs
BOYD. 81 was afraid Howard was hav-
ing too hard time. You can't get
along on $50 a week. you know, If there
is to be a baby. Howard isn't used to
it! He can't live that way!"
He expects a raise in his salary
very soon,' l told my mother-in-law.
And I am saving every bit l can. It's
very kind of you, but I think We can
manage
Mother seemed to think you needed
help" my father-in-law told me. 81
told her we'd better let you hoe your
own row. 1 suppose / might as well
say if you really need assistance III
do what can"
Thank YOU" I answered courteous
IN. His offhand offer offended me. 81
think we shall do very wei. OF course"
I added IF the worst comes to the
worst Howard might be willing to go
home and live for a few weeks. and
could go home to my mother and live
until we could get on our feet financial
ly again"
"Oh. dearie," protested Mrs. Boyd,
at isn't good for a man and wife to be
parted If Howard comes home, you
must come, too"
l looked at my mother-in-law stead
lily for a moment
Not as you feel now, Mrs Boyd" /
said. Not with the opinion I know you
have of me. 1 think you will under
stand when I tell you L would rather
not live i'm your house. If some day
YOU should come to love me and loved
YOU, that would be different. But not
as Mr.. Boyd feels toward me now"
We'll" said NV father-inlaw, rising
Il guess we'd better get on. Come
along. mother You see. these young
people do not need us, after all"
mot your money I said. I'VE don't
need that We do need your love and we
always shall"
felt my mother-in-law's fingers
close over mine warmly. Then they
left. And | could not for the life of me
tell whether or not l permanently had
antagonized Towards parents.
OhiJ River Still Rising