New Britain herald., 1918-09-12
REVELATIONS
 OF A WIFE
Why Lillian Said 'Tt May Be Best to Lay the Cards Face Upward
 On the Table After All"

I caught my under lip between my teeth in grim determination not to betray by tone or phrase how the words of the girl at the other end of the telephone had affected me.
 Edith Fairfax just returned from a, journey All the suspicious which had been bedevilling me redoubled. I knew that at any cost I must know once for all the truth concerning my husbands friendship for this girl.
 Well '' The voice at the other end of the telephone held an inn patient note. l mentally classified the voice as I had it's owner upon the single occasion of my seeing her, as distinctly underbred.
 Twill you please convey to Miss Fairfax"-I adopted my most formal manner-"Mrs. Richard Graham's re- grets that she is fatigued, and-'
 I got no farther.
 "Is this Mrs Graham ?" the other woman exclaimed rather than ques- toned Wait a moment, please.' I heard the quick tattoo of her high heels as she hurried away from the telephone, and a minute or two later Edith Fairfax's soft, well-bred southern intonations sounded in my ears. And to my heated imagination there was tremulous fright in the girls accents.
 "Yes? Mrs. Graham? she said hurriedly. "Is-is there anything wrong?"
 Again I had to wait a moment to control the tremolo note of my own voice.
 "Oh, no, indeed" I finally said, brightly, "but I recalled that we hadn't yet had that little visit we promised each other when we last met at the Fleur de Lis restaurant. Do you remember?" "Oh, yes, I remember" Edith Fair fax replied with a little catch of the 1 breath, and l guessed that any memory of Dtcky was cherished by her.
 Lillian Interrupts. T have been very busy, and MT. Graham has been out of tOWn," I went on smoothly, therefore haven't l telephoned before. But I'm going to l be in the city for some days, and 1 particularly wish to see you. Will | you not, therefore, waive ceremony 1 and come to see me tomorrow, here l. at Mrs. UnderWood's home, where l 1 am staying?"
 A firm hand, Lillian's, took the re- l ceiver from my hand, put her own | lips to the mouthpiece. Come over to luncheon, Edith,' she 1 said heartily. Bring Leila with you"
 I didn't hear the girls response, but Lillians answer was crisp and to i the point.
 That's all right then. We'll ex- pect you at 1. Good-by."
 She hung up the receiver abruptly and turned to me grimly. If you had to do this mad thing, why didn't you tell me so that we could have arranged it smoothly? 1 Ten to one now if she comes she'll be so frightened you can hardly talk with her intelligently."
 Then you think?" ] queried breathlessly, ignoring her very l evident displeasure.
 II think that you're a very foolish, in1petuous girl" she returned, and then her voice softened.
 Telegram for Katherine.
 But I can't blame you," she went on. T know, Madge, that you've had enough to upset you completely. But I can't help thinking you're on the wrong track about this. However, it may be best to lay the cards face upward on the table, after all.'' ] Lillian made no further reference to the matter nor did I, but I knew intuitively that it was the subject uppermost in her thoughts all the rest of the day.
 But in the early evening my thoughts and hers were effectually diverted from Dicky and his myster- ious misdeeds.
 Betty appeared at the door, her of 8 telegram or a cablegram.
 Here am a telegram for Miss Katherine, she said. "I do hope it am no terrible news for that blessed lamb, and her jest married!"
 Lillian took the envelope and tore it open Before Katherine went she had asked us to open any letter or telegram that should come after she was gone.
 l 1T have no correspondence which l you aren't perfectly welcome to sec she had said, "and there may come something to which you ought to at tend"
 Lillian read the telegram through, then tossed it to me. Here's a problem" she said wor- redly.
 TT0rEEaH AAy