The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-07-03
Revelations
of Wife
CHAPTER LxxVII.
A Letter From Dieky's Mother and
the Problem 1t Caused.
BY ADELE GARRISON.

returned weary of body and sick of
mind. TacitIy we had avoided all
discussion of Grace Draper. the beau
| tiful girl Dicky had discovered there
and engaged as a model for his draw
ings, promising to help her with her
art studies. But because Of my feel
| ing toward Dieky's plans breakfast
had been a formal affair.
Then had come special delivery
| letter for Dicky. He had read it
twice. and was turning back for a
third perusal when my query made
him raise his eyes.
'Tn a way, yes" he said slowly
Then after a pause. Read it." He
held out the letter.
It was postmarked Detroit. The
writing reminded me of my mother; it
was the hand of a woman of the older
generation.
MY darling son. it began, ed
the other side to help in the relief
work: The wealthy men who are
sending a corps of physicians and
nurses from here are insisting that
ne must head the expedition. OF
course, Harriet will not let him go
without her. You know what that
means, Richard. My home here will
be broken up. Elizabeth's home is
impossible because of the children.
love them dearly. I enjoy them for
a short visit, but with my heart and
nerves I cannot stand it to live there
Besides, you know William and 1 are
not as congenial as we might be.
so there is just you left, my boy.
II have always said that a mothers
place was with her daughters, that
there was no room in the same house
for a daughter-in law and mother
in law, but I do not know what else
to do. I could live alone on what
little 1 have and what you send me,
but do not dare to do it on ac-
count of my heart. And of course I
know that you would not allow me
to do it even if I dared try the ex-
pertinent. I never have seen your
wife, but from what you have writ
ten me am sure she is very sefisi-
bic woman, and that we shall get on
very we'll together, I know she is good
to you, and that, after all, is the only
thing that counts With mother.
IF it is perfectly convenient for
you 1 should like to start next Mon
day, arriving the next day, Tuesday.
VIII you write me at once whether
or not that will be all right for you?
you cannot know, my darling boy,
how anxious 1 am to see you again.
You are my only son, you know. l
have thought sometimes the last year
that 1 might never live to see your
face once more, but now it looks as if
might spend my last days with you.
please do not neglect to write
me at once telling, me what road and
train will be best for me.
"Give my best regards to your wife,
and remember, dear boy, your mother
loves you just the same now as she
did when you were a little lad at her
knee. Lovingly, your mother,
HARRIET GRAHAM"
7, too, read the letter twice before
making any comment upon it. I Won
dered if .Dickys second reading had
been for the same purpose as mine
to gain time to think.
1 was stunned by the letter. I had
never contemplated the possibility of
Dickys mother living with us. For
years she had made her home with
her childless daughter and namesake,
Harriet, whose husband was one of
the most brilliant surgeons Of the
middle west.
I knew that Dicky's mother and
sisters had spoiled him terribly when
they all had a home together before
Dickys father died. The first thought
that came to me was that Dicky's
whims alone were hard enough to hui
NOR, but when 1 had both him and
his mother to consider our home life
would be hardly worth the living.
/ knew and resented also the fact
that Dicky's mother and sisters dis
approved of his marriage to me. In
one of Dickys careless condolences
L had cleaned that his mothers choice
had been made long ago, and that he
had disappointed her by not marrying
a friend of his sister.
felt like as IL were in a trap. To
have to live and treat with daugh-
terly Difference a woman whom
knew so disliked me that she refused
to attend her sons wedding was I'M
OF course I could not say so to
Dicky, but secretly L thought her let |
ter in bad taste. She might have con-
sidered my feelings enough to ask if |
she would be welcome instead of so |
calmly taking for granted that my |
home would be hers for the rest, of |
her life. I said this to myself then |
i
been so ungenerous even in thought |
to my husbands mother.
But the cutting little remark, 81 |
have always said that there was not |
room in the same house for a daugh- |
and a mother-in law"
ranked even after 1 had composed |
myself to speak calmly to Dicky con-
the letter.
I had no doubt which of us would
be forced out Of the house if there
ever came a clash between us. I
never could come between Dicky and
mis- mother. I would not do it even
Il could.
Mechanically I ended the letter, try
ng to frame phrases which would
mask my real feelings. For the first
lime in my life 1 was confronted with
he necessity of uttering a deliber-
ite falsehood.