New Britain herald., 1917-02-03
News for 7heafey G0e7s <znd Women Readers
REVELATIONS OF A WIFE
By ADELE GARRISON

How Lillian Cncrwood Decided a Bet.
 I had no chance to puzzle over the unexpected behavior of Lillian Ur- derwood when she heard the name of Robert Savarin, the famous artist, who had been lost to the world for 15 years, and whom we had found during our outing in the Catskills.
 Neither Dicky nor Lillian's husband had noticed her emotion, and Dicky's flow of "reminiscences of our trip was not to be stemmed. He quite brides himself upon his ability to tell story we'll and he was making the most of our thrilling experiences.
 Several times during Dicky's vivid description of the scene where Robert Savarin faced the woman whom he thought to be his wife, and who had ruined his life, l saw the fingers of Lillian's left hand dig into the palm. But it was the only indication she gave that the story she was hearing held anything more than ordinary in- terest. Her eyes were smiling, her voice steady, and she made a very good pretense at eating, although coulG see that it was only a pretence.
 I felt anxious for Dicky to finish the story, so that we might turn the conversation to other topics. There was a tenseness in Lillian's attitude that made me unaccountably nervous If was a real relief to hear Harry Un- derwood's rollicking bass in mocking comment when Dicky finally brought the tale to an end with a triumphant flourish.
 ''This is all very fine, my bucko," MT Underwood boomed, as Dicky looked around with what-do-you- think k-of -that-air, but it doesn't let YOU off the payment of that bet to mo. We'll admit that as a storyteller you've got Stevenson and o. Henry backed off the boards but you're not slick enough to get out of paying me that s1O. Remember you bet that You could fish fof~trout in the Catskiil after the season ended. and get away with it. Well! you didn't get away with it, you got arrested, and it doesn't matter to me how much compromising of felonies or bulldozing of helpless female vitlainesses you did afterward to souirm out of it. the bet is mine"
 You mean if Lil says so." Dicky amended. "Lirs the judge of this,"
 In the DreSSing-ROOm
 Fight it out between you.' Lillian advised curtly, rising from her chair If there's enough left of either of you when Madge and I get back I'll decide the question then. Come on, Madge let's go over into the rest room, it can't help but be cooler in there. This place is beastly hot. It's mak- ing me faint.'
 Both Dicky and Harry Underwood sprang to their feet solicitiously, but before they could speak Lillian waved them aside impatiently.
 Don't be idiotic!" she said "I shall be all right as soon as I've gotten out of their air. Go on blackguarding each other and don't mind me-"
 I knew that the two men did not suspect that she wished for a little respite in order to regain possession of herself, and as followed her swift ly moving figure to the rest room I was filled with curiosity as to the meaning of the emotion which had so stirred her at the mention of Robert Savarins name.
 AS soon as we reached the rest room I swiftly caught up a chair, turned it toward the wall in the most out-of- the-way corner, and said, in a matter Of-fact a manner as I could:
 q think I've found the coolest spot here, Lillian, sit down.
 AS she sank into the chair and saw that I stood behind it with my back turned toward her in such a position that I effectively shielded her from any idle curious gaze, as well as from my own observation, she caught the hand that was nearest her and pressed it.
 You blessed, understanding child," she murmured
 It was fully five minutes before. she spoke again. Then her voice held no trace of the feeling that I knew must have swayed her as she sat rigid. silent with her face effectually hidden by me.
 II am not going to say thank you,''' she said empty words like those are useless between you and me. Some day shall tell you why I acted like an idiot1c schoolgirl tonight. Come, let's go back to the boys.'
 She was her own gay self again as we sat down at the table.
 ~-~, 'Now I'm ready to give my decision about that bet: Neither of you won it, so you each will hand $10 over to us, and we will see that it is expended judiciously in nice little party"
 A howl of protest went up from both Dicky and MT. Underwood, but Lillian was inexorable, and they sheepishly counted out the money.
 Perhaps you'll know enough next time to settle your own bets without bothering me with then.' Lillian said cooly, as she slipped the bills into a little compartment in her bag. "Madge, the next time I see you we'll plan blowout with this.''
 Harry Asks a Question.
 Harry Underwod shrugged his shoulders resignedly. Talk about the Paris Apaches," he said, 'Lil would be a shining light in their gang. We've kissed that money goodby for