New Britain herald., 1918-12-18
For Women Readers and Ihedferg0ers-
MY SOLDIER SWEETHEART
Garrs
REVELATIONS OF A WIFE

Lillian sat down beside me- again
holding my face against her in such
a manner, [ realized afterwaru, as TO
prevent the sounds of my hyster1a
from reaching my mother-in laws
room And in an incredibly short
time Katie-who had rushed away
after helping me to the couch-came
hur1Ning back again.
Hold it a minute, Lillian SAID,
then she spoke to me with an edge
in her voice that cut down through
my riotous nerves to my will power
-'Madge, we've had enough of this"
She said do you want to kill your
mother-in-Iaw? Stop this nonsense
this minute and drink this!'
She released my face and slipping
her arm around me, raised my head,
while with her other hand she held
q glass of something pungent, power
full to my lips.
'I-I-can't," I faltered, my teeth
chattering against the glass.
Yes, YOU can. Down with it, she
said sternly. and managed to obey
her although 1 choked alarmingly be-
fore l finished.
Now, Katie, some blankets"
Lillian directed, for / was shivering
with q heavy chill. Throw me that
couch cover There-that will do
until you get the blankets"
1t was fully half an hour before
Lillian would allow me to speak, al
though I had recovered from my
Chill and hysterical ebullition long
before that time thanks to her
prompt ministrations.
! What Lillian Advised.
Now" she said at last, after her
fingers had rested observingly upon
nv pulse, Now, tell me your wonder
full news"
I'm so sorry, Lillian" I said, con-
, tritely, for going to pieces like this"
"Oh, tin all that she advised care
lessly. You've been perfectly splen
did all this morning. No one to look
! at YOU. would dream there was a
thing the matter. And your mother
in-law has suspected nothing, thanks
to vour poise. You certainly had
this historical jag coming to you.
No one grudges it, my dear Now
forget it. and tell me what Drake said
to you"
The 1natter-of- fact manner and the
characteristic slang of her answer, in
some curious way brought back the
! self-respect which I was fast losing as
l thought of my puerile exhibition of
a few moments before. Without
furtheF ado, 1 told her everything
Allen Drake had related to me over
the telephone concerning the exploit.
1T will be in all the afternoon
papers," [ finished proudly.
Lillian's eyes were shining.
THAT blessed. blessed boy" she
said II always knew he had the stuff
in him
T couldn't control the shamed ex-
preston that crept into my face, for
[ remembered only too we'll an Occa-
sion when Lillian had asked me to
unexplained absence. And l. at that
time had thought him a Stacker
when in reality he was training at an
aviation camp. A burning flush crept
into my cheeks but Lillian-usually
so observant-didn't appear to see it.
I shrewd1y suspected that she meant
me to have this moment of mental
/ abasement.
I'VE must tell your mother-in-law
now" she said after a moment ''Now
l don't believe you need fear it's
affecting her if you simply say to
her first that at last the news of
( Dicky's safe arrival has come, and
then tell her of the wreck, stresstng
heavily upon the boys heroism.
! She's had no suspense this morning,
and hearing of his safety the first
thing, will be the best tonic in the
| world"