The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-06
Married Life
BY Nobel Herbert Urner.
IN WHICH HELEN'S MOTHER-iN-
LAW MAKES A FORMAL CALL
ON HER MOTHER.

| Helen had written a formal little
| note to Mrs. Curtis, her mother-i law,
| saying that her mother was here from
| Missouri, visiting them, and that they
would be glad to have her call.
She had done that only because she
knew her mother would be deeply hurt
| if some of Warren's people did not
come to see her, and because she did
not wish her to know of the strained
relations that had SO long existed be-
tween Warren's family and herself
1t was almost week after the writ
ing of the note that Mrs. Curtis came.
1t was about A in the afternoon and
as Helen had taken her mother out
sightseeing, they were both tired and
neither of them dressed. 1t was De-
las afternoon off; and Helen had to
answer the bell herself.
With much embarra ssment Helen
led her into the front room.
Mother and I have been shopping
and sightseeing all morning, so we
have been very negligent this after
noon and haven't dressed she apol-
ogized.
After a few commonplace remarks
about the WEAKNESS of shopping and
sightseeing, Helen excused herself
for a moment to tell her mother that
Mrs. Curtis was here.
The Meeting of the Mothers.
Hurry and get into your black silk
Dress" she whispered. Can you hook
| it .yourself?'
"Oh, yes-yes, but 1t hasn't any
ruching in the neck. I took it ont yes
terday to put fresh in and then forgot
it."
Never mind the ruching. Put 1t on
and come in as soon as you can And
IJ1yN IoF Ir 70 aa fy-nr
where she tried to entertain Mrs. Cur
tbs with stories of the baby until her
mother appeared.
Mrs Curtis, my mother, Mrs. AL
len"
After the introduction there was an
! awkward pause.
There is probably no situation more
embarrassing to a young wife than
that of the first meeting Of her moth
err with her mother -in-law.
Mrs. Curtis was most formal and
cold and Mrs. Allen, who had expect
ed the warmest cordiality, was plainly
| disconnected
II believe this Is your first visit to
New York;" said Mrs. Curtis formally.
my first visit since I was here on
| my wedding journey. but that was so
| long ago. everything is so changed.
| 1t is like a new city TO me now"
Eyes. I suppose so.' murmured Mrs.
! Curtis, and then settled back and left
| the conversation to be directed by
Helen and her mother.
An Uncomfortable Situation.
| Mrs Allen was so plainly discon-
| certed that Helen tried to relieve her
| by talking rapidly of their plans for
sight seeing while she was here. Mrs.
| Curtis made only an occasional polite
| assent.
| And all the time Helen was painfully
| conscious that Mrs. Curtis was cycling
| her mothers plain old fashioned bla elk
| silk which was in marked contrast TO
| her own plum colored walking suit
and large hat with its nodding plumes.
And Helen resolved that before her
i mother returned, this call she must
| have a new and modish tailored suit.
| Poor Mrs. Allen, who had expected
a very friendly family discussion of
/ their mutual interests-their daughter
and son-found instead that Mrs. Cur
tbs was making only a most stiff and
| conventional call. in which there was
! no element OF l<inship or cordially.
| Helen was glad when Winifred woke
up and began to cry. She at once
brought her in. hoping to relieve the
awkwardness Of the situation. Mrs.
| Curtis held and played with her for
[ "a few moments. but not with the same
| loving tenderness which Helen's moth
er lavished upon her.
isn't that a dear little sack?' asked
Helen.
| Her Aunt Laura sent her that and
mother brought her the daintiest little
dress-I must show it to YOU
She brought out the dress with a