The Washington herald., 1920-12-07
The Marriage Mill
BY Mildred X. Barbour
toopynght, 1870. By Ths Whsslss
syndicats, Isc.l
A PAINFUL INTERVIEW.


Dinner at the osbornes' that even
Ing was a gloomy affair.
Mrs. Osborne preserved q chill
dignity which dampened even
Myras determined efforts to be
cheerful and casual. Jane was om-
inously silent. but the burning spot
OF Color on each cheek, and the
glance half-puzzled, half-angry. that
she sent to Fannie occasionally.
told Alison as plainly as words that
the news of Edwards desertion had
been broken to her.
Alison herself was silent, more
from q feeling OF futility and hope
lessness than from resentment at
her mother-in-law's attitude. She
could not resist contrasting this
dinner with the FIRST she had had
with her husbands family when
she had been a very recent bride.
She looked across the table at
Fannie, still flushed and tremulous
with happiness. and she experienced
the same feeling of pity with which
Fanny had regarded her on the day
of her wedding announcement
Here was more grist for the mar
riage mill!-
1t was not until after dinner.
while coffee was being served In
the library. that Larry's mother
abandoned her chill silence.
II think 1t is time we were COM
ing down to business" she said
quietly, setting down her cup. Now
-Alisop, what is this talk about a
divorce?"
Alison slipped her coffee for q
moment before replying, then she
answered with equal quiet:
My life with Larry has been q
succession of disappointments and
misunderstandings. He has failed
to show proper consideration for q
wife. Only a few nights ago he de-
serted me in Q theater in town and
went back to NMaplewood with an
other girl. leaving me penniless and
unescorted- 1t was only by a huke
that L got back at all that night"
Jane leaned forward, her eyes
swapping.
Il should say it was-since your
| escort was Warren Bradley"
Alison started in spite of her ef-
fort at control.
who told you that?"
The whole of Maplewood knows!
Everybody's watched your carry
ings-on with that Bradley man. We
don't blame Larry. a bit for leaving
home"
Alison sat up with flashing eyes.
Blame Larry for leaving homer
she echoed Indignantly. 1T was ]
who left Larry Yes, and he begged
me on his bended knees to stay!
But I wouldn't-after what hap
pened the night you sent him to
rout a burglar when II was only a
cat. That's the first time 1 was
thrown on Warren Bradiey's escort,
an escort which I declined, incl
dentally. The second time I didn't
decline. / couldn't! The only alter
native was to sleep on a bench in
the station. Naturally ! chose Brad
ley. He, at least. is a gentleman, IL
my husband is notw
1t was an unwise statement.
Larry's mother leaned forward, her
eyes blazing.
Larry was everything fine and
splendid until he married you. Now.
he drinks and runs around with
silly fools who wear earrings and
make eyesi Oh, I know more than
you think do! 1 know how you've
firted with that insdfferable Brad
ley and neglected Larry's home,
and gone to your mother with every
little thing that went wrong. But
what could one expect OF you? The
daughter Of a divorced woman who
runs around with a rakew
Alison sprang up and reached for
her wrap.
That win do shan't stay an
other moment and listen to insults
about my mother. I came here pre-
pared to do the square thing and
make a go of things-late as it is
for your sakes. Now I'm through,
You can tell Larry for me that IL
he wants to talk to me, he will have
to consult my lawyer"
1t wasn't until she had made a
furious exit that she remembered
with a bitter sort OF amusement
that Larry had showed very plainly
that he didn't want to see or talk
to her.