South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-06-30
OF 4 WIFE
BY Adele CARLSON

TO bear the ahentionate touch OF the
man whose whole being I had just
heard cry out i'm attempt To protect
this other woman.
Dicky did not notice any shrink
ing. but Mrs. Underwood saw it, /
think sometimes nothing ever es-
capes her eyes. She came closer TO
me, gravely, steadily.
lou are very brave. Mrs Graham,
very kind but il won't do. Dicxy
keep quiet" She turned 10 him au-
thoritatively as he started 10 speak
'Yo on know how much use there is
OF trying 90 stop me when ] make
up my mind TO anything"
She put her hand upon my shout
der
Dear child. she said earnestly
will you trust me till tomorrow? I
had thought shat I must tell you
right away, but your splendid. gem
erous attitude makes il possible for
me to ask you this. can see there
is no place here where we can talk
undisturbed Besides, I must take
no chance Of your mother-in-law'
finding out that I am here. VIII you
come 10 my apartment tomorrow
morning any time after 10? Harry
will be gone by then. and we can
have the place 10 ourselves"
81 viii be there at TO-" I said
gravely I felt that her honesty and
directness called for an explicit an
swer and I gave it TO her
Thank you" She smiled a little
sadly and then added: Don't i'm
agine all sorts OF impossible things
10 isn't a very pretty story. but I
am beginning TO hope that after you
have heard it We may become very
real friends"
PrepOsterous as her words seemed
I'm the light of the things I had
heard from the lips Of my husbands
mother, they gave me a sudden feel
ing OF comfort
What Happened When Mrs. Under
wood Shut the Door Behind Her.
Well. 1 hope you're satisfied, "
Dlckys voice, with an unpleasant
cadence i'm 1t, punctuated the closing
OF the door after Mrs Underwood.
I made no answer The contrast
between my husbands behavior and
that Of Mrs. Underwood in the
bizarre situation which had been
thrust upon US was like a bitter
drausht put to my lips.
Whatever the secret was which
locked in the past between these
two, had risen like a specter 10 dis
turb my happiness 1 could not help
realizing my husband considered
only Mrs UnderwOOd's feelings In
the matter, while she appeared TO
put my right 20 enlightenment be
fore anything else.
He evidently expected an answer
TO his caustic little speech. When
did not reply he spoke again.
"Of course when Iii makes up
her mind TO go through with "A thing
there's no stopping her. But you
mark my word. when she gets
through telling you all about that
old trouble you'll be ashamed you
were ever curious about it,"
I might have opened my heart TO
Dicky's protest. but. unfortunately
my particular little sneering devil
was at my elbow / can always
count ON his cynical presence when
ever I am debating on my course
of conduct.
You little fool" he whispered
causucally. don't you see il must
be something pretty bad or your
husbands mother wouldn't be so
anxious TO keep YOU in ignorance of
it2 OF course, that's a very fine
grandstand play Of Mrs. Under
Underwood $, but don't be bluffed
She doesn't expect YOU. She'll count
on Dicky 20 keey YOU home, but go
and surprise her It's your right 10
know all this"
So ] shut my ears 20 my hus-
bans protesting words. averted my
eyes from the appeal ! saw in his
face. and forced a careless speech
10 my lips.
Don't be absurd Dicky." I said
lightly Il did not ask Mrs. Under
wood to come and prefer this con
hdence, but / certainly am going TO
take advantage of her offer
Turning away from him. went
into the living room. an emphatic
oath from Dicky. which I pretended
not 20 notice. following my exit
The sight of Katie. sitting like a
sentinel where / had placed her at
the door OF my mother-in-law'
room effectuaily turned my thought
away from any emotional introspec-
ti0u The homely duties of the sick
room awaited me. ] had no time
for hroodinE.
SOME DELICIOUS SALADS.
Green Peuuer and Cream Cheese