Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-28
MY MARRIED LIFE
The Homecoming
BY ADELE GARRISON

AS THE taxi hurried my mother-in-law
Aand myself homeward after our sight
seeing trip. | became more ana more
alarmed at her condition.
She had been seized with n chill whiie
inspecting the antiques at Frauncess raw
ern, and had complained of feeling very
i'll indeed. | was hurrying her homewaru
with mingled emotions, concern over ner
condition and Indignation at the folly which
had caused IT,
Like an obstinate child she had persisted
in sitting with her heavy coat on whiie
eating dinner, although our table-whlch
she had herself chosen--was near blazing
fire. | had feared then that she would pay
for her obstinacy. Her very evident suiler-
ing now carried out my fear.
Are we nearly there?" she said faintly
81 am cold
"Only a few blocks more" tried TO speak
rcassuringly. Then | Nenturcd on some
thing which | had wanted to do ever since
we left the tavern. but which my mother-
in-law's dislike Of being aided in any way
had prevented
ward her. wrapped her in my arms as l
would a child. To my surprise she mud
died closer to me. only protesting family
you must not do that. You will take
cold"
Nonsense" replied. II never take cold
and we are almost there"
II am so glad" she sighed and leaned
more heavily against me.
As felt her weight in my arms and re-
allied that she was actually cltnging TO me-
actually depending upon me for help ana
comfort, felt my heart warm toward hcr'
At THE DOOR
Ionged. OH so earnestly, to be friends
with this austere mother-in-aw of mine
, My life is so barren of woman's companions
ship--for | have no living relative nearer
| than "A cousin--that would be glad to take
my husbands mother into my heart if only
| she did not rcpcl me at every turn.
| AS we drew up in front of our apartment
| house | loosened my arms. we are here
now" | said and we will hurry right up
! stairs" The chauffeur opened the door \nd
| helped US out.
| wait here" | said to him. Il will send
| the money down to YOU"
| ! did not dare waste a minute in getting
| my mother-n-law into the warmth of our
apartment ! hurried her up the steps as
fast as | dared and rang the bell of our
apartment to he confronted by Katie, wide
| eyed and terrified.
"Oh. Missis Graham, vot the natter"
| she asked eXcitedly. THE old voman's
sceCk"'
| | expected to hear my mother-n-law re-
prove the girl in spite of her weakness,
but she appeared not to hear her, so !
shook my head at Katie warnngly, and
| then asked aloud Have you the hot water
| ready?"
"oh, yes, everything all fecx. vot you
| want frSt?"
| Put a tablespoonful of brandy into a
cup half full of boiling water, stir in "A
| teaspoonful of sugar and bring it here right
| away"
Katie vanished quickly. and bent over
! my motner-in-aw whom ! had assisted
INTO chair close by the gas CRATE.
'Oh, am so cold. she moaned again.
we will have you warm in minute or
two now" I said, as | stopped and lighted
| the gas CRATE.
! Il will not have a DOCTOR" she said. cit
| is all nonsense. | know exactly the things
| to do for myself better than any doctor
does, and you are doing them.
| 1t seemed to be an effort for her to speak.
| She closed her eyes again as she finished
| and leaned back as if exhausted. | knew
| once but what to do in the face of her
| prohibition did not know.
| As | worked over her / came to de-
| cision. | would get her safe and warm
| in bed leave Katie within call, then slip
| boring drug store. | did not dare to send
| for a physician against my mother-in-law S
| expressed prohibition. ON the other hand.
| | knew that DiCky would be very angry If
| | did not send for one.
81 am going out to telephone. Katie and
| | want you to stay close to the door here
| till | return. If Mrs. Graham wakes and
| asks for me, say that I have gone to the
drug store and will be back very shortly"
| As | descended the stairs all the doubts
| of the morning rushed over me- Ii was