New Britain herald., 1918-01-02
REVELATIONS OF. A WIFE
ey ADELE GARRISON

town the next day he had brought one with him.
 I had worn it rather steadily, part ly because of it's convenience, partly because I liked to feel my husbands gift upon my arm. But never had l guarded it so closely as I had since my return from Lillian Underwood's and my entrance into the secret serv- ice as one of her assistants. There was a reason for this which made my heart throb apprehensively at Dicky's ques- tlon.
 "Only when I have my hands in water" I returned lightly.
 And you sleep in it, too, I've noticed Dicky said. Whats the use of that, when you can't see the time unless you use a hashlight or turn on the electric light?'
 T keep a 1ashlight under my pill low. you know" I exclaimed ner- vously-how I wished Dicky would talk of anything else! And I like to have it on my arm,' I finished, lame ly.
 You're funny little thing Dicky looked at me speculatively. Just like a kid in some things. Who would ever have thought you'd care for anything like this so much? But I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll ex- change it for one with luminous dial Then you can tell what time it is no matter how dark the room
 ''But I don't want any other kind, Dicky," I said faintly, trying to gather my wits together to combat this unexpected danger to one of Lillian's cherished plans.
 What nonsense!" Dicky. imperious masterful crossed over to me, put out his hand to examine the watch. Tt shouldn't be damaged at all, you've had it so short a time. Just let me take it down today. and I'll bring you the other one tonight
 Cant You Guess?"
 It was a very real terror now that confronted me- There was no time for half measures. I despised myself for the subterfuge I was about to use, but there was no help for it.
 I reached up my arms deftly avoid ing Dicky's grasp at the watch, and put them tightly around his neck.
 ''Dicky, dear" said softly, cant you guess why don't want the watch changed?"
 His face softened as he bent it to mine and kissed me.
 Suppose you tell me- he half whispered. Dicky is the most suscept- ible person to coaxing tenderness I've ever known. 1 have often wished I could be the cuddly, betting kind of wife his temperament demands
 Because you put it on my wrist yourself that day, don't you remem- Der? And you hadn't brought me a gift in a long time before It was sort of red-letter day for me. couldn't bear the thought of any other watch, even another you yourself would get me-
 Dicky laughed, but there was infin- ite tenderness in the laughter. There was also surrender.
 All right have it your own way" he said. ''I'11 try not to have my gifts so rare after this. I have been neg Iectful sweetheart; but it isn't be- cause I don't love you, you know that. don't your"
 At What Cost?
 He bent back my head, looked into my eyes before he kissed me- And I forced myself to answer his loving look in kind, although it was torture to meet his eyes
 Never had I so thoroughly loathed myself as when I told Dicky that I couldn't bear the thought of any other watch upon my arm. Even as I said the words the metal of the watch I wore seemed to my excited imagination to be branding the false hood into my shrinking flesh.
 For the watch upon my arm wasn't the one Dicky had given me at all.