Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-16
MY MARRIED LIFE
BY ADELE GARRISON

IN to look at the potatoes which were
baking In IT, I knew by the look on her
face as she shut the door that they we're
browning satisfactorily. I hated to disturb
the content which knew was hers. but my
mother-in-law's wish made It imperative
that I do so.
"Oh. Missis Graham" Katie's voice was
full Of a pretty pride Dose potatoes joost
baking lovely. Now feex dot steak. You
tink luncheon too late? Dey come too
queeck. Meester Graham, he not say so
soon"
IL know Katie" soothed. but you need
not broi the steak for a while. Mr..
Grahams mother Is feeling Ill and cannot
eat any luncheon now, we will wait until
she has had n little nap Will you be able
TO keep the potatoes hot. do you think, or
had we better bake more?'
Now wot you tnk of dot?" Katie
addressed the kitchen walls with vehemence.
Dot lunch no good after awhile" Then
she evidently thought of my question about
tho potatoes. for she opened the oven door
and looked at them critically.
81 feex dose potatoes all right" she said
after n minute 81 turn off oven, drop po-
tatoes in clean cloths, lay dem in oven, dey
keep one hour, two hour not so good, but
pretty good
why. that will he very nice, Katie"
said. THE luncheon will not be spoiled
after all. | am so glad you have not yet
started TO DrOll the STEAK. NOW Will you
please go to Mrs. Grahams room? She
wishes you to help her she is not very we'll
you know. so you will help her whenever she
wishes you to do so"
Into Katie's eyes there crept the look of
sullen fright I had seen once before
81 no like to help old sick vimmens," she
muttered ~ fraid,"
Across my mind flashed the remembrance
of the day when | had first told Katie
Dicky's mother was coming to live with us
She had threatened to leave and | had
finally dragged the reason from her. A
curious old-word superstition that old
women sometimes turned into witches and
killed people oppressed her. Lillian Gale
had finally reduced her to reason and Katie
had remained. But here was her supersti-
ton rearing its head again.
rs II safe?"
had to think quickly, and the whole
problem went through my brain in an in
stant. | simply could not lose Katie in
the combination Of circumstances confront
ing me. In a week | was to take the club
position which offered mo the prospect OF
an income Of my very own. | could see that
my mother-in-laws whims would be un-
bearable If l were alone with her all day.
on the other hand, ! could not antagonize
Mrs Graham further by refusing her
katies services | spoke quickly. sternly:
Katie, ! thought you had put that nom
sense out of your head Mrs Underwood
and Mr. Graham and I all have told you
that was a silly and wicked idea. Besides
Katie purposely made by voice very
Significant tried to be very kind to you
about that la valliere of mine. I expect
you to try to please me-
The ruse worked. Katie looked up
quickly.
II do joost vot you say" she said humbly
THAT is right. Katie" | laid my hand
kindly on her shoulder. Now hurry in
to Mrs Graham"
II feex my potatoes frst," she said, re-
bellously
mo, no, Katie" knew just how i'm
patient the imperious woman in the front
bedroom must be. 81 will attend TO the
potatoes Hurry, please"
"All right den" And Katie hurried out
turned out the gas In the oven and
opened the drawer where Katie kept a pile
of clean cloths for use in smoking. I took
out the hot potatoes and sighed. because
within a few more minutes they would have
been perfectly baked Wrapping them in
the cloths / laid them In large roasting
pan and put them back in the oven
There" / thought to myself when
Katie brols the steak she can take off the
cloths and the potatoes can finish baking"
As I closed the oven the door of the
kitchen softly opened and Dcky put his
head into the room.
rs it safe to enter" he quered loosely
why not?"
II thought perhaps the mater might have
gotten on your nerves."
"Oh, no, she hasn't bothered me at ALL"
I returned arily and untruthfully How
is Katie getting along?"
"Oh. Katie is busily engaged telling moth
er what perfectly lofely, kind and good
lady. joost like an angel her new daugh-
ter-in-aw is"
Katie must be making a splendid i'm
preston | smiled understandingly.
Dicky grinncd back at me, although there
was worried look in his eyes.
Il do hope mother likes Katie" His
tone intimated that this was a question Of
the utmost importance.
WHY For the life OF me ! could not
help the icy little monosyllable.
Dicky hesitated moment before answer
ing.
Because, Madge," he said finally, Il am
afraid II mother doesn't like her we will
have to get rid of Katie. Mother is awfully
particular about the personality of any one
who waits upon her When we were all
keeping house together I have known her
to change maids seven or eight times in A.
month until she got one to suit Used to
cost her bit too. Each girl. OF course,
was entitled to her weeks wages and moth
er never waited till the week was up, lust
packed her or whenever she did anything
that didn't come up to her standard"
Are you in earnest?" I faced him in
astonishment "
Why Of course. am not talking for
fun" -0'
DO you realize what you are saving >
What are you implying? Have you brought
your mother here to be mistress of this
establishment? Do you expect me TO be
treated as child or one OF the maids? II
you"
"Oh, for heavens sake, Madge" DIckv
interrupted, please spare me one of your
lectures. | simply ask you to consider INV
mothers wishes in engaging a maid and
you Immediately go up in the air over it.
Gee ] can see where I'm going to have
nice, pleasant time trying to be a buffer
between fussy mother and a cranky wife -
And Dicky strode from the room with the
air of martyr leaving me shocked at his
selfshness and with very lively dread
of what was coming.
(Copyright)