New Britain herald., 1918-12-14
News For Women Readers and Theaterg0erS-
MY SOLDIER SWEETHEART
 Adele Continuation of REVELATIONS OF A WIFE

Tell me the truth, Lillian,'' I said firmly. You must. I'm strong enough to bear it now. But don't let Mother Graham hear anything. Is is-Dicky dead"
 T don't think so," Lillian returned promptly, 'but I can't be sure until have other adVices from Washington, and those may not come for several days"
 Certain News. Was he on the torpedoed ship?" I asked, for l knew she hadn't come to my door in such haste without hav- ing some definite news.
 She hesitated only moment, then put her arms around me closely. Yes, dear he was, but on the small list of survivors available there ap- pears the name of IF. Graham You know-no, of course you don't, but do-how inaccurate are the spelling and initials of those first lists. The name is most probably R. Graham" But Lillian" I faltered hesitating to grasp the hope she held out to me for fear it might be disproved later, may there not have been other Gra- 1 hams aboard? I don't see how that gives much hppe for Dicky. And how do you know Dicky was on board i the ship?"
 l The words were ungracious, but the 1 spirit behind them wasn't, and Lillian was too big a woman to notice them. i That last question I cannot an- swer," she said And I must ask you never to tell anyone that, I brought ' you the positive knowledge. have kept the wires to Washington hot this morning, worked at the thing from 1 every angle, used every bit of influence i possess. You see, they simply can l not give out half-knowledge. It ] wouldn't be fair to the families of the men on that ship.
 | The survivors have been landed in l many different places on the coast. It ! will be days before they can finish checking up the lists and comparing those lists of survivors with the list of troops embarked. But you can rest assured of one thing. You will have the very first news available Allen Drake is on the job down there, and he wanted me to assure you that he would do everything in his power to send you the very first information which comes in.''
 'TIe is very kind,' said mechan- ica1ly, for in my soul just then there was room for no thought save the overwhelming one which was just be- ginning to sink into my dazed brain
 Dfcky had been on that torpedoed transport! This was the one certain piece of news Lillian had brought. All conjectures as to the identity of "E, Graham" all hopes or fears as to my husbands safety were only figments of the imagination at best
 But l couldn't keep that imagina- ton from running riot in terrified visions of Dicky, killed by the first ex- plosion, or thrown into the water and drowned, in spite of his skill as a swimmer, or more awful still, dashed to pieces when the lifeboats struck the rocks. My husband died a thousand deaths and I went into the valley of the shadow with him in each one dur ing the moments that stood motion less with Lillian's arms around me. Composure Demanded.
 Presently I felt her drawing me toward a chair.
 See here, Madge,' she said with 8 tone of authority, 'T want you to stop this.'
 tiA ioI uOiIS dlyLulnS, Sa1Q, bewi1dered.
 Nothing except imagining every horror in the world,' she retorted. "Now look here. Please exercise 8 grain of common sense. There are a. thousand survivors of that accident The name of Graham is on the small list sent out. The chances are very good that Dicky is perfectly safe. And you've simply got to pull yourself to- gether on your mother -in-law's ac- count. You must be prepared to lie like house af1re when you see her. And your face must carry out your words"