The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-08-18

I
| here over a lot of flowers"
If he had made no reference to his
mothers faintness, should have an
swered him spiritedly. But 1 remem-
bered my own little mother, and her
longing when fatigued for cup OF
| hot tea
81 am awfully sorry. Diclxy." I said
| meekly. you see you arrived before
thought you would. I'll get the tea
for her the moment we reach the
house.
But Dicky was not Modified. He
stalked modify ahead of me until he
reached the open door of the taxicab.
Then his manner underwent a sudden
change One would have thought him
4 the most devoted of husbands to see
him draw me forward.
Mother" he said, and my heart
glowed even in it's resentment at the
note of pride in his voice, this is my
wife. Madge, my mother"
/ Mrs. Graham was leaning back
against the cushions of the taxicab. II
she had not looked so white and i'll 1
should have resented the look of dis
pleasure that rested upon her features.
How do you do?" she said coldly.
You must pardon me, an afraid. for
not saying the usual things. 1 have
been very much upset"
The studied insolence Of the apol-
ogy was infinitely worse than the cold
ness of her manner. 1 waited for a
moment to control myself before an
swering her.
II am afraid that you are really ill.,
I said as cordially as 1 could. Il am
so sorry to have kept you waiting, but
/ did not expect you quite so soon, and
/ had some errands."
1T doesn't matter" she said indif-
ferently. Her manner put me aside
from her consideration as if had been
child or a servant. She turned to
Dicky.
i Are we almost there, dear?"
The warmth of her tones to him,
the love displayed in every infection
set out in more bitter contrast the
GOODNESS with which she was treating
me.
Fright here now" as the taxi drew
up to the door of the apartment house.
There was a peculiar infection in
Dickys voice. stole a glance at him.
He was gazing at his mother with
puzzled look. / fancied / saw also a
trace of displeasure. But it vanished
in another minute as he sprang to the
ground, paid the driver and helped his
mother and me out .
/. She leaned heavily on his arm as
he went up the stairs to the third
floor upon which our apartment was.
"You have no elevator in these
: apartments?" Her voice was COM
planning.
mo. 1t is one of the older buildings,
but we like it because the rooms are
) airy, and it near my studio. But now
that you are here, we shall take a
larger one with an elevator"
Yes, that would be better"
J Toiling up behind them with my de-
spised flowers and the bottle of cream,
felt like a stranger, an interloper.
If my mother-in-law had said in so
many words: "Henceforth it is my will
: that is law here-please keep your
proper place" she could not have re-
vealed her sentiments toward me more
strongly.
At the door, Katie who evidently
J had heard the taxicab, stood smiling
!, broadly.
This is Katie. mother" Dicky said
kindly. "She will help take care of
you"
How do you do, Katie?" The words
were the same, but the tones were
much kinder than her greeting to me.
Dicky assisted her into the living
room. She sank into the armchair,
and Dicky took off her hat and loosen
ed her cloak. She leaned her head
against the back OF the chair, and her
face looked so drawn and white that
I felt alarmed
Katie, prepare a cup of strong tea
Immediately" 1 directed and Katie
vanished. rs there nothing 1 can do
for you, Mrs. Graham?" approached
her chair.
Nothing, thank you. You may save
the maid the trouble Of preparing that
, tea if you will. 1 could not possibly
drink 1t. I always carry my own tea
with me, and prepare it myself. If it
! is not too much trouble Dicky, will
!, you get me pot of hot water and
, some cream? I have everything else
here"
I really felt sorry for Dicky. He
caught the tension in the atmosphere,
and looked from his mother to me with
helpless caught between two fires
expression. With masculine obtuse-
ness he put his foot in it in his en-
deavor to remedy matter.
why do you call my mother, Mrs.
Graham, Madge?" he said querulously.
/ She is you mother now as well as
! mine, you know"
Il am nothing of the kind" His
mother spoke sharply. "Of all the
idiotic assumptions, that is the worst,
} that marriage makes close relatives
, and friends of total strangers. Your
a wife and / may learn to love each
+ other. Then there's will be plenty of
time for her to call me mother. AS
!. it is, 1 am very glad she evidently
feels as 1 do about it. Now Dicky.
if you will kindly get me that hot
water"
Il will attend to it." I said decided
~. "Dicky take your mother to her
room and assist her with her things.
will have the hot water and cream
for her almost at once"
In the shelter of the dining room.