The Monmouth inquirer., 1919-06-19
A DIVORCE KILLER
BY DOROTHY cRowELL.


ming on the closed window. Finally
unable to stifie her curiosity longer
she burst out: "Grace stop that silly
pounding. What In the world is the
matter? Has Richard developed a
grouch?"
Grace shrugged her shoulders and
sighed. 81 hardly see enough of linn
to know" Something was forming in
her mind Of which the mother, despite
her superior knowledge of the world,
was ignorant.
Mrs. Roberts went to her. Never
mind Grace. You win find after you
have been married as long as that
men are peculiar creatures, and that it
is best to let them fight out their
grouches alone"
"Oh, it isn't that" grace declared
seriously. But / can see that grad
ually am losing Richards love. In
many ways ne shows it,
Mrs. Roberts tried to comfort her
daughter, vowing to give Richard
piece of her mind at the first opportun-
ity. Mrs. Roberts was to be farther
shocked before the visit was over.
The cause of this new worry was
her daughters firm determination to
bury herself in the country. and think
out the reason for the growing cold
ness between herself and her husband.
and of all places In the world at
Grandmother Stetson's away up in the
wilderness miles and miles from every
thing Mrs. Roberts threw up her
hands in despair as she heard this In
sane folly of her silly daughter.
Grandmother Stetson while living in
the wilderness knew human nature
with knowledge that her daughter
could never acquire, and when Grace
walked dejectedly into the little sit
ting room of the house in the wilder
ness, she was met with ready SYM
pathy and folded in two substantial
arms.
In a few words Grace unfolded her
grievance, and when she had finished
Mrs. Stetson declared with conviction !:
THAT is mighty poor apology for
woman who cannot keep her hus-
bands love once she has won it."
Within the week Grace had discard
ed her city frocks for more suitable
garments, which her own hands had
fashioned under the critical eyes of
the grandmother. Mrs. Stetson took
matters into her own hands now. and
Immediately forwarded a telegram
which brought Richard to the house
in the wilderness within day. He
burst hastily into the sitting room.
"Great Scott" he cried. where is she?
/ never realized Grace was as i'll as
that Oh, / knew there was some
thing but"
Grace is not ILL.," Mrs. Stetson told
him. THAT telegram is something be-
tween myself and my conscience. You
wrote pretty letter about going away
for months, and leaving your wife
didn't you?"
"Wen, a business man has to at
tend" he began.
Hum" Mrs. Stetson shifted disdain-
fully. go in the kitchen and wash
up" She pointed to door at the
end of the short hall. Richard pressed
the latch and went in.
The figure bent over the table, roll
ing pin in hand, he failed to recog-
nize Alarmed at the heavy tread the
girl looked up. 'sDick," she gasped in
astonishment Both were embarrassed,
and acted like two children. A formal
handshake which left his hand white
%~o,., ~, =, 9o,,,~ srrae. bor cr-oaffpO
AS the day passed Mrs Stetson re-
fused with a positiveness that for
babe argument to assist in the kitchen,
and left the entire management to her
granddaughter. Richard seemed TO
find little if any time to think of busl-
ness. This new order of things ap-
pealed to him immensely. He had
never known Grace in this new role.
Mrs. Stetson's teachings were GER
tainly bearing fruit One day Grace
went to her perplexed and not little
peeved. "Tell me, Grandmother Stet-
son." she asked, tears perilously near
sis mans heart only gained through
his stomach? That is horrible" She
shuddered and brushed her hand fur
lively across her eyes. IF l thought
that" Mrs. Stetson smiled and in
terrupted MY goodness, Grace. don't
be 30 tragic, but you just remember
this in spite of all the fool notions
these city friends of yours have filled
your head with, a spick and span ging-
ham apron and the color in your
cheeks, l don't mean that kind they
advertise, and well-cooked meals viii
hold a man stronger than any other
ties invented by mortal and here's an
other thing, it don't cost much to give
good smile with it, too. A man VIII
respond to good treatment every time
and if he can't get that at home, then,
just tell me where in the vale of woe
he cam
After they had returned TO their city
home Mrs. Roberts dropped in for one
of her weekly calls. Seeing Grace at
work attired in plain gingham, her
sleeves rolled up, and humming tune,