The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-05-24
My Heart and
My Husband
What Happened After the Punch
Bowl Was Broken.
BY Adele Garrison.
\ S the full meaning of Kenneth

n the full meaning of Kenneth
n Stockbridge's seemingly mad
vertent action flashed upon me
! unobtrusively dropped the cut glas,
filled with the fruit punch which
Milly Stockbridge had Labeled out for
me. As II, too, shattered itself against
the polished floor the only traces OF
whatever II was the half-crazed wom-
an had tried to do were lost in the
trickling streams OF liquid running
over the floor.
Ny gown had miraculously escaped
being spattered. As | stepped back
to keep the liquid from running my
slippers kept my eyes on my hostess,
for was filled with very whole
some respect for her ability TO make
things unpleasant True, had no
real proof that she had put anything
in the fruit punch which would harm
me, although both her husbands face
and action betrayed panic. The next
instant, however, Milly Stoekbridge
surprised me, indeed
As IL the crash OF her cherished
punch bowl had brought her to her
senses, her face. first gray with fear
and horror, broke up into frightened
emotion. She swayed toward her hus-
band with arms outstretched as a ter
rified child might have done, and the
next moment she was sobbing against
his shoulder, crying out desperately :
"Oh. Ken, l didn't mean to, truly,
| didn't. But she made me so mad
I'm so glad you stopped me, but !
didn't mean TO. Say you forgive me,
Ken. say il. you know its because !
lave you so--say il, Ken, say rtr'
I Madge Explains.
Hush" His voice was hoarse, but
there was a tenderness in it that the
man must have been almost superhu-
man to have achieved. People are
coming, they will hear you. You
know forgive you--and--love you
Now pull yourself together. Let peo-
pie think you're upset because your
punch bowl is broken. Everybody
knows how you cherished it,"
His eyes met mine above her shoul.
der, tortured eyes with = note Of
pleading in them. knew what he
wished, and spoke not to him, but to
the woman whose face was hidden
against his shoulder.
81 will explain things 10 anybody
who inquiries, Mrs. Stockbridge, so
that you needn't be disturbed"
"Thank-you." could hardly hear
the words. Indeed, hadn't waited
for them, but went steadily forward
to meet the two or three inquisitive
souls who had heard the crash and
promptly decided to investigate mat
ters The others, more composed or
more we'll bred, were gathered around
Dicky,
Luckily, even with Milly Stock
bridges reputation, the shattered
punch bowl spelled reason enough 10
her friends for her agitation. Her
husband was leading her toward the
kitchen as the vanguard Of inquiries
met me.
Mrs.. Stockbridge Reavpssis.
"Oh, oh, that beautiful punch bowl''
the foremost woman exclaimed with
ehdulish look at the remains OF the
bowl and the wet floor. "And her
floor will be ruined, too. Milly Is 20
particular about her floors. Some
thing ought to be done about II right
away. | think III"
stopped her with little authosi-
tative gesture.
The maid is coming in directly" ]
said. "And Mr.. Stockbridge particu-
larly requested that no one disturb
Mrs. Stockbridge for 4 few moments
You know she is very nervous any
way, and the breaking Of the bowl has
completely upset her"
u should think ii would" observed
another woman, the first speaker be,
ing occupied with elaring at me re-
sentfully. That bowl and cups were
the treasures Of Miuy's heart They
we're wedding presents, you know, and
the handsomest things in town."
How did you say IL ..appenedf'
The first woman eyed me with
glance that dared me u tell my story
twice the same way.
why! Mr. Stockbridge offered 10
help her ladle out the punch, end as
he did so stumbled against the table,
upsetting the punch bowl"
"Ah, yes" She nodded her head