The spectator., 1919-06-17
THE BETTER PART
By VICTOR RADCLIFFE.

yes"
 Cora is fine girl" declared Myron Blair. "Td ought to know, for she is my .sister-in-law She will make you a good wife, only-one piece of advice, cut out the mother-in-law" "1 hardly understand you" spoke Wallace Brill, with manifest resent ment
 You will when you get farther | along in your experience. See here as relatives prospective by courtesy, I can be plain with you. If one princi- pie was instilled into my nature by | prejudice and observation it was the motherin-law problem. When I mar ried Bella Mayne l made up my mind to rum no risks of having q fussy, med dleSome old lady on my hands. Of course I said nothing to Bella Of course l treated Mrs. Mayne with all | due respect. Firmly, consistently, though. l adopted policy of proceed ure that set up the bars against any mother-in-aw Invasion. l settled down in house at the farther end of the | village on purpose, so Mrs. Mayne wouldn't find it convenient to run in on us every day When the two chil- dren came along I saw to it that they didn't come under her rule and influ- ence in any way. No, sir, I tell you, Brill. the man who wants a wel-or- dered household must keep the mother | fn-law at distance. Hello, There's a man I want to see on business" and the voluble speaker darted off. Wallace was glad In another mo- ment he would have been unable to control his indignation. To him the mother of his bride expectant was al most part of herself, and a person 1 for whom he felt dutiful and respect | full consideration. Then, again, Wal lace knew something of 'the system" of Myron Blair and Hs results It had not worked. except for the selfish bene | fit of shallow, self-opinionated Blair. l AS Wallace was well aware 1t had | brought misery and unhappiness to | others-victims who made no com | plaint, but silently experienced their wretchedness because they were of a noble. self-Sacrifcing nature. When | Blair installed the daughter in home two miles away. Mrs. Mayne eXperi- enced a loneliness that might have been easily avoided. When Blair jealously restricted the children to only occa- sional formal visits to their grand mother il almost broke her heart. The 1 absence of her mother at critical june lures in her life meant suffering and broken constitution for Bella, and the boastful, insensate Blair fancied that as q model diSciplinarian he was decided success.
 Wallace Brill had not known mothef's care from early childhood. When he began to pay attention to Cora Mayne it seemed as though her mother came to fill precious place in his life.
 Very careful was Mrs. Mayne to refrain from intruding her per sCnality or her views upon this new prospective son-in-law but she bestowed many q grateful look upon him and her old, wearied heart warm ed toward him. as he clearly showed that he not only desired, but cherished her interest and counsel in the problems that confronted Cora and himself on the threshold of their mat rimonial venture.
 Wallace was doing well in a buSi- ness way. He had been thrifty and had accumulated sufficient 10 enable him to start out in life with a home l nf his Whan hn Snnl~a t, l Cora of this it was in the presence of her mother.
 Well. I settled about a lot today." he announced in his brisk. pleasant way. II say. mother. there's one dis appointment. I have tried to get as, near as possible to the old homestead here. but the only vacant lot that fitted to my money requirements was two squares down the street. 'That-that Is not far. is it. Wal lace?" spoke the old lady. Her tones were tremulous
 If you will put on your Spectacles. mother" went on Wallace. well all l draw up to the table and look over some plans for n new house got from l settled her In the most comfortable chair and directly at his side. with such counsellors as you precious two. I'll warrant we'll have a regular little palace"
 With his pencil Wallace went over the plans-parlor, dining room. kitch. on, bedrooms, closerS, and then he in- dlcated special apartment. I'm throwing myself on that room" emphasized Wallace with token of rare pride in his tones. Sunlight on three sides, ventilation perfect. con- venient to all the other rooms in the house. What do you think of it. mother?"
 Your den, supposeT' said Mrs. Mayne.
 "Oh, mo-" replied Wallace promptly. ''That's your room. mother"
 My room!" faltered the old lady. all