New Britain herald., 1917-05-05
REVELATIONS OF A WIFE
By ADELE GARRISON

!, to me. Her voice was gay, put ] 1 who knew it's every intonation caught an undertone of worry
 "Lillian!" exclaimed sharply What is it? Do you know anything
 The Letter Dicky Wrote.
 Flush, child." she said firmly. ''l know nothing. You will hear all about it tomorrow morning when you receive Dicky's letters. Until then you must be quiet and brave. ''- 1 It was like her not to adjure me to keep from worrying. She never did the usual futile things. But all l through my wakeful night, whenever turned over, or uttered the slightest | sound, she was at my side in an .n- 1 stant. Never until death stops my memory will forget that next morning with 1 its letters from Dieky. There was one for my mother-in- law, none for me, but I saw an en- velope in Lillian's hand which was sure was from my husband, even be- fore had seen the shocked pallor which spread over her face as she read it.
 "Oh, Lillian, what is it?" I whisp- cred in terror.
 Walt she commanded. Do not let your mother-in-law guess anything Is arniSs.'
 Rut when Mother Graham's de- mand to know what Dfcky had writ ten to me had been appeased by uEllian's offhand remarked that country mails were never reliable, and that my letter would probably arrive later, the elder woman went to her own room to puzzle anew over her son's letter, which simply re- peated what he had told her over the telephone
 When she had gone Lillian locked the door softly behind her. then com ing over to me, sank down by my bedside and slipped her arm around me-
 You must be brave, Madge," she said, quietly. Read this through and tell me if you have any idea what it means"
 took the letter she held out to me, and read it through.
 Dear Lil," the letter began. "You have never failed me yet. so know you'll look after things for me now.
 am going away forever. shall never see Madge again, nor do I ever expect to hear from her. Will you look out for her until she is free from me? She can sue me for de- sertton. you know, and get her di- vorce. I will put in no defence.
 Most of our funds are banked in her name, Anyway. But for fear she will not want 10 use that money NeQnd 3lich you are to use - with or without her knowledge. I am enclosing the key of. the studio. The rent is paid a long ways ahead, and I will send you the money for future payments and its care. Please have it kept ready for me to walk in at any time. Mother always goes to Elixabet1's for the holidays, anyway. Keep her from guessing as long as you can. I'll write to her after she gets to Eliza beth's.
 1T guess that's all. If Madge doesn't understand why am doing that can't help it. But it's the only thing to do. Yours always.
 "DICKY."
 The room seemed to whirl around me as I read. Dicky gone forever. arranging for me to get a divorce! chung blindly to Lillian as moaned: ''Oh, what oOeS IL mean !'
 What Lillian Told NIadge.
 Think, Madge, Madge! Have you and Dicky had any quarrel lately?"
 ''Nothing that could be called quarrel. mo- I returned, ''and not even the shadow of disagreement since my accident
 Then, Lillian said musingly, either Dicky has gone suddenly mad"
 She stopped and looked at me searchingly. "Or what, Lillian, pleaded. 'Tell me. am strong enough to stand. the truth, but not suspense
 ''1 believe you are.' she said, land you will have to help me find out the truth. Now remember this may have no bearing on the thing at all, but Harry saw Grace Draper talking to. Dicky the other day. He said Dicky didn't act particularly we'll pleased at the meeting. but that the girl was. as Harry put it, fit to put your eyes out she looked so stunning. But 1t doesn't seem possible that if Dicky had gone away with her he would write that sort of 8 note tom e and leave no word for you"
 "Fit to put your eyes out!" The phrase stung me. With a quick move ment, grasped the hand mirror that lay on the stand by my bed, and looked critically at the image re- flected there. Wan, hollow-eyed. with one side of my face and neck still flaming from my burns, had . quick perception of the way in which my husband-beauty-lo that he is- must have contrasted my appearance with that of Grace Draper.
 Lillian took the mirror forcibly from me, and laid it out of my reach.
 This sort of thing won't do.'' she said firmly. Tt only makes matters worse. Now just be as brave as you possibly can. Remember, I am right