New Britain herald., 1918-08-29
REVELATIONS
 OF A WIFE
Why Did Lillian Keep Nadgc for Her
 Talk with .JaCkr

Lillian didn't have to wait long to administer the tongue lashing' to Jack Bickett. which she had so vehe- l mently promised in her loyal cham ! piOnship of Katherine. ! On the morning of the second day after we had followed old Mrs Morton l to her last resting place, Lillian and 1 were sitting in the big, white and crimson living room, the coolest room in the house. quietly knitting. Kath- 1 erine hadn't yet come down, for Lil- liam, with imperious kindness. had commanded her to stay it, bed and i herself had carried a breakfast tray to ] her.
 We both started perceptibl when the l doorbe1l rang, sure proof that we were both nervous, for the peal of a bell Was common thing in the Under wood home.
 By the priclling of my thumbs" quoted Lillian, laying down her knit ting eXpectantly. and then as we hea rd Bettys voice in the hall. evidently ush- ering in someone familiar with the house-for Betty was under orders to admit no one except a few intimates, unless Lillian were first summoned to the docr-she stood up inpatient ly.
 
 to me as we both heard and recog- nized Jack Bickett's deep tones. 1T had a hunch that the lad would come today
 rose hastily, calculating my chances of getting out of the room be- fore Jack should enter it. I had no desire to share in the scene Lillian was evidently bent upon staging.
 But Lillian willcd C+horwise. As she passed me, she put me back in my chair with a dcXtcrous turn of her arm.
 TO Anger Jack? Don't you dare go away" she whis- pered, and the next moment she was greeting Jack cordially enough at Bet tvs announcement.
 We've been trying to get hold of you for days" she said as they came down the room toward me. When poor Mrs. Morton died we needed a man to see to things, and l tried to get hold of you, but you weren't at your apartment
 If the subject of Lillian's conversa- tion had been other than what it would have laughed outright at the idea of her needing d man to attend to anything in the world. I think Jack had the same thought, for he offered no explanation or regret at being away. only replied in a shocked tone: Mrs. Morton dead? I am sorry, ! indeed, to hear it, deeply shoCked!' l Lillian looked at him quizzically. ! "1t isn't necessary to do the conven- ! tional trick with me- she said in her l most irritating manner. You know you're neither sorry nor shocked. You l never saw Mrs. Morton, and her death only means to you a release for Kath= l crime. But we're going to thrash that out you and r.
 If by her unusual rudeness Lillian meant to anger Jack and disturb his poise, she didn't succeed, at least as far as his outward appearance went. He bowed to her gravely
 What Detains Dicky:
 "I'm at your service at any time" he said. Then he turned to me.
 How do you do, Margaret?" thought I detected an unwonted trem- or in my brother-cousin's voice. and when he bent and kissed me-some- thing he rarely did--I realized that for some reason he was deeply moved be- meath his calm exterior.
 l "Very well. indeed, thank you, Jack, " I returned looking at him anxiously. t"And you?'
 Mighty fit" he answered laconical- ly And how is old Dick? Katherine said he was at aviation camp. How 1 is he making 1t? Does he like flying ?'
 The old feeling of humiliation swept ] over me. I felt a, savage distaste for 1 the words of explanation I must utter. The feeling made my voice frigid. ! "Katherine was mistaken" I said. "Dicky isn't flying. He's making illus l yi3+i -;oJ f0r | one of the ma agazines.''
 "Ohi' Jack said lamelv, evidently