South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-08-23
OF WIFE
By Adele GaITison

He tossed 10 into my lap. eyeing il
and me curiously. Z knew that his
desire 20 know what was in 10 had
made him remember 20 give D. 10
me. His mother who had opened
her door az his step. came for&ard
eagerly. J. opened the letter 20 md
am offer Of my old school position.
liy principal wrote thai the woman
VINO was appointed 10 the position
had been suddenly taken 80 and
could not possibly iii 10. He asked
me 70 write him my decision az once.
as 10 was within a few DAYS Of the
opening of the school.
Mechanically read italoud. My
brain was whIrling. ] wondered IL
perhaps this was the way out for
me. If Dicky really did not love me
any longer / ought 20 accept this po-
sitiOn. even Of by taking 10 ] broke
my agreement with the Lotus study
club.
had finished a successful season
of lectures with the Lotus STUDY
club In spite of the skilfully con-
oesied animositv OF the secretary.
Helen Brainerd Smith. I knew that
She had never forgotten the incident
of my first appearance before the
club. when Z had deliberately be-
trayed parSimony to the members Of
the club. as the only method OF COM
peling her 10 pay me the amount
she had agreed upon.
Although her office was that OF
secretary. she was the real leade OF
the club owner Of the hous. in
which the ~club-rooms were and vir.
tually the dictator of the clubs pol
icy. I felt IT TO ne a real triumph
that IN spite OF her covert opposition
the members Of my study class mad
insisted upon my reappointment TO
the position.
Mother Graham's Suggestion.
] did not like the thought Of leay-
ing tine women who had thus honor
ed me- but, on the other hand. if
Dlcky and I were 10 come 20 the
parting OF the ways Z could not re-
fuse this rare chance 20 get back
into the work 7 had left for his sake.
decided 10 he guided bv his at
titude. n ne were opposed to my
course ] would know that my actions
had ceased to be ~resentful 10 him
and ] would accept the position. But
n he showed willingness al the prop
osition-
I did not nave long 70 wait. As
] lifted my eyes to his face when 7
had finished reading the letter 7 saw
the old familiar black frown on his
face. 7 never had thought that my
heart would leap with JOY at the
sight Of Dicky's frown. but IL did.
Before either of could say anything.
his mother spoke:
Isn't il splendid . You are a most
fortunate woman. Margaret. 70 be
able 20 step back into a position like
that. II IL had come earlier. when
my health was so poor YOU could
not nave taken it. Now YOU can ac-
cept H.. for 7 am perfectly able 20
run the house. You. Of course. will
write YOUR acceptance at once"
She paused. knew she expected
me 20 reply. But 7 closed my lips
firmly. Dicky should ne the one to
decide this. He did 10 with thor
oughness
81 thought We settled all this rot
last spring. he said Mother. 7
don't want 10 he disrespectfuI. but
this is my business and Nadge's. not
yours. You viii refuse. of course.
Nadge."
He turned 20 me i'm the old inn
perious manner Months before 7
should have resented 10. Now 7
revelled i'm II. Dicky cared enough
about me whether from pride or
love 10 resent my going back 10
my work
"If YOU wish it, Dicky.r said
quietly He turned a grateful look
at me- Then his mothers voice