The spectator., 1920-03-09
THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY
By oTILLIA r. PFEIFTER

(Cspyriaht, ls2e. Western Newspaper UAisn)
 When her only daughter Lucille married Myron Bradley aud went away to live iR ! rented apartment, her mother closed - every room in the house except twe on the ground floor. It was an old, but pretty place. but il became lonely and gloomy dis possessed of the brioha, vtvacious girl who had made it hone, indeed. De- sides that, . thrifty, economical wen an with keen business sense. Ars. Clayton reckoned on fuel and general labor saving, besides having . definite purpose in view in behalf 0f the young adysaturers sa she s>a sf matrim0ay.
 The marriage of the twain seemed ideal. They were deeply in love muta- ally. Lucille was patient and devoted, Ayrea had never paid attention to any other girl. They seemed absorbed each In the other and no reAen Nof . cloud threatened the fair sky of love.
 The path cf Mrs Clayton had not been one of roses in holding on 10 her little home and bringing up and edu- eating her daughter Her husband had died when Lucille was only eight years of age, leaving little except encum- bered property. His widow had thought and worked harvi 10 get rid of indebtedness and acquire little sur- plus. She was sure ef two material points when Nyron Dradlsy welded Lucille fneee were that she had train cd her daughter to full obedience, to accept her counsel. and that Myron really liked her. The policy adopted by The wise mother was to win and hold the love and respect Of her son in-lsw She realized that. lonely as sAe was. denied the constant company of her only child, she must not betray her sentiments nor infringe upon the new relationship.
 Mrs. Clayton sSt about eliminating herself from the life and struggles, the ups and downs of the newly wed ded couple. She visited them only once . week. She preached te Lucille fond attention to Myron on all occasions and treated her son-in-law as if she trusted him implicitly Experienced and observing person that she was. she secretly followed the course of the marital life those two led, hut never mingled in it or criticised or advised. All the time. however, che was placing secure foundation to be prepared to win them more fully and assist them when the hour of need arrived Pa- tientiy and inteiligently she awaited that juncturs, and was not surprised when one day Myron came to her with a serious face. She welcomed hin.
 I've come to see yow about Lucille and myself. mother" said Myron. "She is the dearest little wife that evee lived, and ] love her more and more every day sf ny life"
 That is ss 1t should be- enc0ur- aged Mrs. Clayton, and with that for the basis you cannot fsii 10 gain hap piness and peace"
 Yes, but. you see we are young and inexperienced and make many nistakes. It would be different if we had you right al hand to decide for Us knotty questions as they come up. Honestly. mother. ! get homesick an,i lonesome for you. Can't you arrange tc come and stay with us permanent lyi Lucille will be happier, and l would feel as if there was < stanch. sensible pilot at the helm who would steer us clear of the rocks we run up against every once in Q while
 What are the rocks, Myrony in quired Mrs. Clayton gently
 Well. we are both extrnvagant. '' confessed Ayron desperately Come to reckon up We rind that We have lived Way beyond our means and are In | sort Of UnEke. isncille does her best in running the house aud don'r waste any us1ney outside of home ex psnses. hut somehow we have been getting behind. In fact there is- there isa deficit. In word-come and help us sst on the right basis"
 Mrs. Clsytons was stoo diplomatic to ssseat to the first impulslv- notions of her son-in-law Dearly as she wonld love 10 be with these, her children, she realized that 1t would be. al the best. an sxpsrimsnt. Myron got down to details and Mrs. Clayton grasped them ip their fuil practical sense. Be. fors he lsft she had solved thG problem. not 'oferiIN inc suggestion bat IsadinS him to ,Le only point she wOaid consider s- psrtsking in thsii akairs.
 Ayros wss' delighted give up thsli apartment and come to live al home" The old house WAS to h. open ed up in irs orighAAi chsery homelike Asss and hen to contrilsite a state. amount for ssstsining it. A program WAS mapped out where Mrs. Clayton was 10 be the directing force, and the happy husband and wife settled doWI into their new career under mother, A.