Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-12-20
My HEART and
My HUSBAND
Adele Garrison's New Phase Of
Revelations
of a Wife 4
How Lillian Underwood Set the
Stage for the Conference.

How Lillian Underwood Set the
Stage for the Conference.
Mr.. Walters kept his promise
punctually. / went to, the door my
self to answer his ring, glad that
Katie had gone to the movies"
My little maid is so frankly Curl
Gus and gregarious creature that /
have not the problem of door service
which confronts SO many house mis-
tresses. 1t does not matter whether
it be day or evening, hours on duty
or hours off, the sound of the door
bell is the signal which draws Katie.
with movement as swift and sure
as that of a homing pigeon flying to
its nest
Form any reasons, however, l pre-
ferred that Katie should not see my
visitors, if the encounter could be
avoided. | was reasonably sure that
it could be, for Jim and Katie upon
coming home would go straight to
their own room, unless | intercept
ed them with some question or di-
rection for the morrow.
l was as frankly glad to see
Esther Walters again as l was un-
easily troubled about a further en-
counter with her brother. The girl,
a wonderfully pretty creature with
big Irish eyes of violet shaded by
long lashes, a clear olive skin dash
ed with carmiflc. and black hair
whose lustre would make any self
raven put his wing out
of sight in Inundated envy, threw
her arms around me impetuously as
| opened the door.
ooh, my dear Mrs. Graham she
exclaimed, and | noted again the at
tractiveness of her throaty contrslto
voice. 1T does seem so good to
see you again. I'm awfully glad I
graduated last year. 1t would just
make me sick to think of going back
to school with you not there"
| kissed her warmly before l ex-
tended my hand to her brother.
ut is good to see you, dear" | re-
piled, heartily, and then changed my
tone Involuntary to that of formal
courtesy.
Il am so glad you could come
over, Mr.. Walters. Come into the
living ROOM"
He murmured something as banal-
ly conventional in return and went
through the introduction to Lillian
with the same unsmiling forma1ity.
His whole attitude was at hostilely
wary as that of Missourian is sup
posed to be. Twas as sure as if he
had uttered the words aloud, that he
thought himself the center of some
scheme to save me at the expense
of Kenneth Stockbridge.
Lillian, after the introductions and
the usual small talk following, took
the reins of the situation in her own
hands with her usual directness in
verbiage stripped of frills. | had
previously assured her of Esther's
absolute trustworthiness in keeping
to herself anything which she might
hear
"Mr. Walters" she said crisply,
"of course you have guessed that 1T
was not to play bridge that we in
vited you to come here tonight. Mrs.
Graham and | wish to consult you
upon a most important project con-
nected with Mr.. Stockbridge. Mrs.
Graham assures me that your sister
can and will keep her own counsel
absolutely, but | am wondering II
we wish to bother so young a girl
with so grave matter.
The Card Game.
IT do not know your connection
with the case of Mr.. Stockbridge,"
Mr.. Walters returned, icily, "but if
Mrs. Graham wishes third person
at this interview, the purpose of
which is wholly dark to me, | prefer
that my. sister should also be pres
ent."
T will try to make my position
clear to you little later" Lillian
retorted, spontaneously. "And Of
course we are very glad to have Miss
Walters present. Shall we go to the
library?" She looked at me-. 1--WE
shall be less likely to be disturbed
there"
| rose and led the way to the Ii
brary without further comment. l
think none of US felt in the mood
for conversation. Pretty Esther Wal
tiers was both bewildered and fright
ened, her brother, watchful, Lillian
cool and inscrutab1e as ever. while
I could not avoid feeling OF dis
tinct resentment at the young at
torneys attitude.
Lillian brought out the folding
card table and set chairs around 1t.
1--WE might as we'll give this thing
an air of FEASIBILITY" she said,
motioning US to seats, and dealing
the cards expertly. eff each of
you will be good enough to take
up your cards, so that anyone COM
ing into this room will think we
were playing, I'll play the dummy.
for I am afraid | shall do most Of
the talking"
We all three obeyed her, although
Mr.. Walters picked up his cards
gingerly as if he suspected some
explosive substance were hidden in
them. His sister, beginning to, re-
cover from her first fright, had
now all the eagerness of youth for
adventure. Her eyes, fixed on Lii
Ian, were shining with excitement,
the carmine tint OF her cheeks deep
ened.
As for me, l was occupied with
doubling wonder as to whether
even Lillian's skill would be able to
remove Mr.. Walters erroneous
ideas concerning my attitude to-
ward Kenneth Stockbridge.