South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-03-27

Ais wish for my mother-iu-law'
ministratiors was not nearly 500 alb
sard as &C. 1cemcd. even considering
the fact chat her ridiculous and un-
Just TRADE had been the proverbial
last straw which had caused my
nervous collapse.
SO two women can live together
as we had done. sharing the COM
mon family burdens and the care Of
a child, without coming 20 depend
upon each other in a way neither
realizes until some emergency arr
rives. And while my nOther-in-law,
in her sons parlauce. "holds the
worlds records for altitude flights
and perfection OF tagging methods
yet when any great emergency ap-
pears. she. like many other nagger-
rises wonderfully 20 the occasion.
And while the emergency lasts she
seems 90 strip herself as III for a
race OF al hampering pettiness.
But. Of course, ] realized that the
scene in which she and I had just
figured precluded all idea of her
taking care Of me. She had said
me. although I had a sneaking sus-
picion that she didn't mean it at all,
and I had announced that I would
not forgive It, That gulf lay be-
tween US, and 7 knew that it was
one not easily Sridged.
So I tried 20 force myself to en-
dure the presence Of little Mrs. Dur
1cee, most welcome when I am WELL
but IN the tangled. twisted state Of
my nerves. seeming something al
most uncomfortable. turned my
face 20 the wall. closed my eyes. and
pretended sleep when a RESTING at
the door proclaimed her coming.
why. isn't this awful" she ex-
claimed as she entered. She came
20 my side. bent over me, and felt
my hands and face. shes cold -
she said quickly. where's a hot
water bag" she turned on my ia
ther practically. II must put one to
her feet at once"
"I'U get one somewhere" my
father said determinedly. and I knew
that he would accost every passenger
in the car in his quest is necessary.
I opened my eyes and spoke YEARLY:
There's - one - in - my -
-don't-need-
ooh. yes you do" my little neigh
Dor returned. "Give me the bag"
Ny father brought it and handed
e TO her. and I heard her going
rapidly through it's contents. I had
closed my eyes again from sheer
weakness. but L couldn't close my
tortured ears.
1T isn't here" she announced I'M
patiently. / was too weak to scream
or I think I should have shrieked
the direction gave her.
1T is he-top-tied-in
-bath-towel." L had to drag
the words out.
''Well. what do you know about
that" she demanded with irritated
wonder. And I upset all these other
thinzsi I might have known you'd
have everything according TO Hoyle
I don't need TO be a physiciah "a
diagnose your case, Madge. You've
got a case OF ingrowing methodic-
ability. There! who says I can't IN
vent a word Pc
She laughed merrily, and while IN
almost any other illness would have
laughed with her and felt cheere6
by her lovable gayety. each separ-
ate note Of her mirth was like a rasI
upon a surface already raw.
Ny father bent over me and tool
my cold hands in his. I opened my
eyes. and I suppose there must hav,
been a strained appeal in them, FOL
ne bent 10 me, whispered reassur
ingly:
Don't worry. Father'n fix -
Again the old haunting nots o.
my babyhood daysl AS IL I wer,
the child Of that long ago time
gave a little contented sigh anC
closed my eyes again. I heard hin
tip-toeing out OF the room. then
few moments later a sollloquizini
wall from little Mrs. Durkee in tn,
private wash room adjoining tn
drawing room.
Not drop Of hot water in thi
faucet Now what do YOU know
about that for railroad service? How
I'm ever 10 fU this hot water bal
I'd like 20 know"
She came hack into the room, an,