New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-05-08
EVELATI0NS OF A WIFE
BY AnEIE GARRISON

point, but a sudden reflection Gained
me. made me take a sudden tense
grip upon my self-control, for my in
stinct told me that l should soon need
every bit of poise I possessed.
There was something wrong with
the quaint old inn I had liked SO well;
something that wouldn't bear the
light Of investigation. I knew it as
well as if 7 could read the secret
thoughts of the furtive scowling
faces I had glimpsed watching me
from behind the f1uttering window
curtains.
Goodness That Disarms.
The conviction was born in upon
me that it was vitality necessary for
me to discover the reason for the
walters surliness and the hostile,
watching chances from the window.
The changed appearance of the inn,
the suspicious actions of its attend
ants, might not mean anything mimi
cal to the welfare of the country, but
Il suddenly visualized Lillian in a
situation similar to mine. Lillian
wouldn't rest until she'd assured her.
self that this inn with Viennese pro-
prietors and Teutonic walters wasn't
harboring something reasonable.
/ knew that / must keep cool and
watchful and avoid antagonizing any
of the people more than I could pos
sib1y help I choked down my re-
sentiment toward the insolent waiter
and spoke in a carelessly impatient
tone.
"Of course, l know Nine. Hofer.
I've eaten here frequently. You must
be new waiter not to remember me.
Ask her to come here, please. She
always takes my order, and knows
just the way I like things cooked and
served"
The walters face cleared. Evident
ly my explanation had Modified him,
for he changed his manner in an in
slant to the half-servile attitude of
his type.
Yes, madame he said bowling.
IT will convey madame's message at
once"
He hastened toward the house. and
I advanced to a bench under a big
pine near the veranda and sat down.
7 resolved not to arouse further sus-
picion by lingering near the locked
gate, but there was nothing to pre-
vent me from gazing at the wind
mill, of which I had a good view
from my bench, and 1 looked at its
outlines carefully.
There was something puzzling
about it, something that eluded me.
The mechanical apartment in my
brain was created empty I never
have been able to understand what
relation any part of building bears
to the other portions, and while [
realized that the windmill was
changed, I couldn't tell where. 1t
was intuition rather than observation
that gave me the conviction concern
ing it--made me feel that whatever
mystery the old inn contained it GEN.
tered in the windmill.
An Eager Welcome.
A woman's step behind me told me
that Nine. Hofer had answered my
summons. / rose and turned to meet
her. She held out her hand, her face
beaming with every evidence of cor
dial hospitality, but my sharpened
eyes saw distinct strained look in
hers.
"Ah, Nine. Graham!" she said.
Welcomes! 1t is an. age since you
have come to us. Where have you
been keeping yourself? And your
nice looking husband, is he not with
you?"
Hes away on business" I re-
turned. answering her last question
first, $50 I ran away by myself. [
think your waiter thought l meant to
steal your flowers. I was afraid he
wouldn't let me have anything to eat,
and that would be a calamity, for I'm
fearfully hungry Do tell me you
have a chicken for me! I have
thought of your broiled chickens so
Often