Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-22
MY MARRIED LIFE
Why Dckys Mother Changed Her Critical Attitude of
FriendLness TOlCord Mad0e
Bv ADELE GARRISON

| CAFE in the shelter of the Aquarium rest
| ~ room my mother-in-law faced me. Her
eyes were cold and hard, her tones like ice
as she spoke.
| Margaret! What is the meaning Of this
outrageous scene to which you have just
subjected me? Am ] to understand that
| this man is typical Of your associates and
friends? If so, I am indeed sorrier than
ever that my son was ever inveigled into
marrying you"
For the moment I had a primitive in
stinct to scream and to smash things gem
orally n sort of Berserk rage. The insult
left me deadly cold. Fortunately we were
alone In the room. but ! lowered my voice
almost to a whisper as ] replied to her:
Mrs. Graham" / said. II never in my
life knew there was n man like Mr.. I'm
derwood until I married your son. He and
his wife, Lillian Gale, are your sons most
Intimate friends. He has almost forced
me to meet them time and again against
my own inclinations. OF course after what
you have just said there can be no fur
ther question of our trip together. II you
will kindly wait here | will telephone your
son to como and get you at once"
l started for the door out little gasp
ing cry from my mother-in-law stopped
me. She was feebly beating the air with
her hands her eyes were distended and
her cheeks and lips had the ashen color
which / had learned to associate with my
own little mothers frequent attacks.
Filled with remorse 1 flew to her side
and lowered her gently into an armchair
which stood near. Snatching her handbag,
/ opened It and took out a little bottle Of
volatile salts which 1 knew she carried.
pressed 1t into her hands, and then took out
tiny bottle of drops with a familiar label
They were the same that my mother had
used for years. Taking a spoon, which
o1nr. to- I..x
added bit of water from the faucet in the
adjoining room, and gave them to her. As
came toward her heard her murmuring
to herself:
Lillian Gale! Lillian Gale" she was
saying How blind I've been ..
Even in my anxiety for her condition
found time to wonder as to the significance
OF her exclamatons. Evidently the name of
Lillian Gale was familiar to her. From her
tones also knew that 1t was not a well
come name What was there in this past
friendship of Dicky and Mrs. Underwood to
cause his mother so much emotion? I re-
membered the comments I had heard at the
theatre about my husbands friendship with
this woman.
All my old doubts and misgivlngs which
had been smothered by the very real admir-
alton i had felt for Lillian Gales many
good qualities revived What was the secret
in the lives Of these two? 1 felt that for my
own peace Of mind l must know.
SEE IF HE'S GONE"
The color was gradually coming back
to my mother-in-law's face. I stood by her
chair, forgetting her insults, remembering
nothing save that she was old and a sick
rs there anything I can get for your" I
asked as / saw the strained look in her
eyes die out.
Nothing, thank you" she said. Then to
my surprise she reached up her hand, took
mine in hers and pressed it feebly l could
not understand her quick transition from
bitter contempt to friendly warmth Evi-
IDENTIFY something In my words had startled