New Britain herald., 1918-09-05
REVELATIONS
 OF A WIFE
hhat Happened When Betty Faced Harry Underwood, Then Left
 Him With Madgc.

1 NtN 3tlSplCIoIl-- Ot our tele- | phone conversa tion-that Harry Un- 1 derWood had been drinking was con- l tirned when in exactly the quarter of an hour he had named, Betty ushered him into the living room His face flushed. his eyes brilliant 1 with excitement his gait the elabor- ately careful one which he always adopts to conceal the unstea diness he brides himself upon never hetraying. As Betty her head held high, an nounced stiffly and icily. "Ntr. ITn- derwood, Mis- Madge." and turned to go he stepped ponderously in front of her barring her path and made a low. moCkine oheis1nce
 Betty. Betty" he chided Why this cruelty to one of your most ar dent adnlirers?"
 The old colored woman put her hands on her hips and regarded him steadily for 3 long moment before answering him
 'Nistah Harry Underwood" she said at last, rolling each word out to It's full utterance. while you lived in this house I stood for your fool talk SO a not to hurt Mis- Lillian's feelin's, though my tongue just used to ache to
 
 her shoes on. But praise de Lawd you hain't here no more. you haint got no right here, and just let me tell you, man, don't you provoke me none, Is got some tempah when I's riled believe me, an the way I feels just now I'd just admire to put my initials right on your bad, black heart
 She turned her back upon him and smoke O DrOt ocfjOeylv.
 "Mis' Madge. honey, you keep an eye on that man. An if you needs me, just you let out one yeIp. I'll be right on the job, believe me"
 She stalked out of the room head held high. I didn't dare lok at MT Underwood, for while the old womans whole tirade had been laugh-pro- 1 voling, vet I knew she had said things l which couldn't help but sting the man 1 opposite me.
 Jnderuood's Pain is Plain.
 That they had stung him, even ] though only the mouthings of an old 1 colored servant, I realized when I i heard the laughter in which he in dulged a. soon as Betty had left the 1 room. Once he would have greeted 1 one of the old womans outbursts with v but the sounds that came from his lips were raucous, unmirthful. They 1 would have deceived no one.
 Betty certainly has it in for yours truly" he said after a moment or two, and then he added with an uneasy note in his voice, 1T hope she hasn't made you hate me more than ever Lady Fair"
 I smothered the quick impulse to tell him exactly what l thought of him, remembering that Lillian upon my obtaining from him all information possible concerning the plans of the gang headed by Grace Draper.
 Why should you think that ] hate you at all?'i I asked, softly, and hated myself for the hypocrisy of the tone and the question. But I knew this was no time for qualms.
 I heard quick, sibilant breath hen he stepped to my side, and be- ore I could fathom his intention, put lis hand under my chin. and lifting ny face, stared down at me quizzical- y, lurking devil of skeptical laugh CT in his, eyes.
 'I Don't Hate You.''
 Now I wonder just what you're up O." he said refectively. "Of course ou're-well--Iet's call it stretching ! he truth bit--but why? That's the q uestion.' f His skeptiCal, nlirthful Cocksureness iqued me. If I had needed any spur 0 play the game Lillian had out f ned he had just provided it. 8 visited my face out of his hand, 1 z Talked coolly to the nearest chair, T nd sat down in it
 MT, Underwood, will you let me ell you something without interrup- f. on 2" I asked quietly E He had advanced a step toward me, c mischievous teasing light in his yes. But at my question he stopped 1ort, looked at me, then bowed C. ravely in the rather famboyant n lshion winch he affects IT I'm absolutely at your command adv Fair" he said.
 The please sit down." I returned. q He obediently dropped int the seat earest him, then drew it around al -cing me.
 "In the first place" I began slowly, want you to believe that I don't Ii ate you. I have never hated you. I m p'