The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-04-19
Chapter LxIll.

Christmas eve came, and We were
tired out with our preparations
After dinner Robert proposed we
show the boys our plans for tho
new house They were both terri
bly, interested at once.
I'm glad you are 10 have home
OF your own Sis Bruce remarked
when Robert left 10 fetch the plans.
and glad 20 be able TO tell father
that Robert r. making good You
know the patsr II still doubtful OF
bis business ability"
II wish he would visit US" re-
Piled. he would see that we are
getting along fairly well. ! think
he will after time Helen
wants 20 come. and she usually gets
what she wants"
"A trick second wives have"
Laid with some bitterness just rs
Robert appeared with the blue
prints.
What's thai about second
wivesT be asked. I'm prstty well
satisfied with my aTsI"
We were talking Of our step.
mother" Bruce replied with a keen
glance AZ me | knew brother Bruce
could not understand the bitterness
with which I occasionally spoke
when be was with Us. Robert was
always brighter and gaysr than az
any other time. They were 80 thor.
oily an rapport that II could not vol
be otherwise. yet at times ! was
indignant that II was so, that NY
brother was moro Of friend 10 my
husband than 10 me
Both boys approved OF the plans.
especially Of the changes had sug
gested
Gee, Robert. but you must be
settinE on" Philip exclaimed. a
corner lot, and q house like that"
Yes. Phil, am doing fairly well.
now. II has been a hard grind.
tho, harder than any one knows
Never mind. old man. II viii
come easier from now on" Bruce
interpoeed. laying his hand Jus, for
a moment on Roberts shoulder
81 appreciate that" Robert an
swered, giving Bruce grateful
look, and Il has been owing In
measure 20 your encouragement,
your faitA In me, that have gone
80 far as have"
That speech OF Roberts hurt me-
Had not encouraged him AZ all:
Had I not had some little faith In
him in spite OF my mistakes? Had
he ever acknowledged that In any
way had helped him. Yet ne
could frankly tell Bruce OF these
things: why not me? As far as
could had tried IL the beginning
o. be a good wife; and since I had
had some experience was SURE !
had made his homo at least con-
Portable But what did was taken
for granted. no matter how hard or
Iepulsiye II WAS for me, while any
thing others did was q matter for
responsive thanks AZ least this
was the way 81 appeared 10 me +
never once thought that 20 Robert
II might be only what was in duty
bound 10 do when I married. the
same as he was bound TO care for
me and the children 20 tho best OF
his ability.
While this was going thru my
mind they stin discussed the plans
for our new house
This Is the room we have 10
aligned for your use" Robert said.
pointing 20 a large guest chamber
on the third floor. IL shall have .
bath and shower adjoining. and one
q the rooms on that floor ntted up
- a gymnasium as fast as can
anord f. The boy will be soon
large enough 10 commence regular
exercise. II also need H. I End my
muscles getting habby from dis.
use"
That viii he bully, I'll teach tho
hid 10 box Sis. then no can take
care % himself" said Philip.
had complained that an older
child In the neiEhborhood rather put
upon my boy. and that he couldn't
resent a.