South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-03-31
REVELATIONS OFA WIFE
By Adele Garrison

~ but punt the rLltdhA WluthtA
and ran under a rustic bridge over
which another road wound.
This is known as the Kissing
bridge said Dicky. solemnly, and
followed the traditional custom.
"Dickyi' / reproved. suppose
anybody should see US"
But they won't" ne retorted,
saucily.
But they did" / gasped. look
ing across the road 20 the grove be
yond where the brook danced It's
way along An immense tree with
spreading limbs so low 10 the
ground that a child could climb 10
its branches. commanded a full view
Of the bridge. Among the low
branches sat four red-capped over
coated youngsters, three boys and
a tiny girl. the four ranging in age
I from TO 4. They were looking
straight at us, their eyes round as
saucers. At first / thought there
was no grown person With them,
but in another moment / saw a
woman, evidently a nurse, walking
slowly along the stream. Her back
4
not seen Dickys kiss. There was
no hope Of evading the youngsters,
however. They scran bled down
from the tree and met US as we en-
tered the grove.
Did you kiss her cause that's
the kissing bridge?" demanded the
small girl.
Il guess / did" Diclsy answered.
smiling down at her.
MY papa says" drawled- one OF
the two older boys, brown-eyed
lads. who looked like twins, my
papa says you mustn't kiss unless
YOU love them very much. Do you
love her?"
You bet l do" Dicky was en-
jOying himself immensely, but [ was
nortally afraid the nurse would
overhear the conversation. She
was watching the children smiling
Is, but making no movement to
come nearer us. for which 1 was de-
voutedly thankful.
Let's divide them" Dicky said
teasingly. Which two do you
want?"
III take the boy with the big
eyes and the little chubby boy with
the red cheeks"
And I'll take this serious-iook-
ing youngster and the little girl, 4"
Dicky said
The children laughed merrily.
Evidently they were used to good
natured teasing.
You won't take any Of us. the
little girl said saucily. because my
papa wouldn't let YOU"
Come children the nurse in
terposed. It's time to &c home
now"
They trotted off obediently and
we watched them out of sight
What sturdy looking young
stersi" I said as they vanished
around a bend of the stream.
yes, this is a great place TO
bring up children" Dicky asserted.
We wandered on till the fences
stopped US, then came down the op-
posite bank, finding new beauties at
every turn.
I'm starving 10 death" Dicky
announced as we came again to the
little lake into which the stream
flowed Aren't you?"
I'm fearfuIy hungry" 1 admit
ted. rs the inn very far?'
only a few blocks down here"
Dicky consulted his watch. ITS
just - old Foreman serves a
MONDAY meal in the winter time
that's one OF the most satisfying
things I ever ate. and you know I'm
a pretty good judge of food. He
VIII have a sea food Of some kind,
that's "a cinch. and I'll bet there
Will be chicken-he raises his own
fowls"
do keep quiet. Dicky. You
make me so hungry recounting all
those appetizing things"
We walked swiftly down the road
bordering the lake until we came 10
a row of imposing old pines.
Here's the place" said Dicky.
saw a magnificent old mansion
but 10 my mind it looked strangely
deserted.
"Dicky, there's no smoke coming
out Of those chimneys." 1 said. Are
you sure the place is open?"
Now. don't begin 10 croak." re-
turned Dicky. but his tone betrayed
doubt, and he fairly rushed me
around 90 the entrance Of the build
ing.
on the door there was displayed
a large sign:
For rent. Caretaker Will show
the house"