South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-08-11
THE WAY MOTHER GRAHAM
MADE HER APPEARANCE

IT'S crime 10 disturb you" Lii
Ian said softly, as she smiled down
az me- Marion, sound asleep, was
, cuddled against my shoulder. and.
indeed, ] was not far from slumber
myself. despite the fright and ex-
element had just undergone.
With infinite care we moved the
curly head from my shoulder 10 the
pillow. Then, with Lillian's hand
aiding me, l slipped from the bed
without disturbing MarIon's slumber.
I waited until We were out Of the
room before answering her regretful
little speech.
It's a crime for me 10 be so near
sleep l answered, when you are
so troubled, but I'll defy anybody
to Groom The House That Jack
Built" very long without doing"
so that's the way you put her
u sleep" Lillian comented. IT'S
always sure fire. isn't it? Pity we
can't work It on your mother-in-
law"
We were at the stairs by this time,
well out Of earshot. but Lillian spoke
in as subdued a whisper as though
Dicky's formidable parent were at
her elbow. And even after we
reached the kitchen. TO which, a 1T
tie TO my surprise, Lillian led the
way, she kept her voice TO a muir
mer
What will you take TO make a
pot OF your unparalleled coffee ?"
she asked peering with practiced
housewifely air into the kitchen
stove. after she had softly closed the
door leading TO the dining-room. Il
see Katie prudently has her wood
fire all laid out for breakfast but
It won't hurt her to build It again,
and I simply shall lie down I'm the
corner and pass out 10 slow music
if | don't have a cup Of sOffee soon"
you never knew me 20 refuse
one, did you?" 1 asked, taking down
the percolator as she applied a
match TO the shaving in the stove.
But l warn you that closed door
won't keep the aroma Of this from
Mother Graham's nOstrils If every
keyhole and crack in the house were
stopped up. she'd smell coffee brew
ing. and want a cup. I'll put in
enough for her"
COT course Make pot while
you're about il. for we shall have
a guest with us in a few minutes.
There. that fire is all right Now
III interview the refrigerator and
the pantry. and see what sort OF
smack 1 can rout out for a hungry
men"
Madge Is Apprehcnsive
turned from the coffee-grinder
and stared at her in amazement
Tom Chester will be here in a
few minutes" she said. THAT Is.
he Will be II my bunch a. TO Smiths
probable homeward course holds
true. And he'll be hungry. OF course.
I never knew a youth his age who
wasn't And practically every re-
turned soldiers a coffee fend. so get
busy"
I turned 20 the coffee-grinder
again. finished that task. prepared
the coffee and set over the blaze be-
fore 7 spoke. There was still fresh
i'm my mind the memory Of Tom
Chester's last visit 10 the house, and
Mother Graham's caustic and IN
sulting comment thereon. What
might not my mOther-ln-law take
into her head 10 say or do?
She had confined her remarks to
my years upon the first occasion. but
I had no assurance that she would
not express her disaprovaI OF his
presence in the house before Lillian
or even before Tom Chester himself.
At the bare thought OF the last con-
dnEency shivered involuntarily and
glanced up 10 see Lillian looking at
me with whimsical sympathy
Mother Graham's Orders
Don't worry she said. still in
murmuring monotone Il have your
doughty mother in-law dashed 70
the mast. with the idea firmly fixed
n her head that any untoward
movement on her part would send
the whole ship 81 state p,unging in
70 whirling abyss. II you know
what that Is. She knows we're 60
ing 20 make coffee. and I've pro-
m ised 70 take her cup. so I'm
not afraid she'll disturb the coming
conference. The only reason I'm
keeping my voice lowered IS that her
ruling passion may bring her down
20 80 that you are brewing the cof-
fee according 20 Hoyle But she'll
20 back again. fo- she's TOO tired
and sleepy 70 make A full toilet.
and she would face a stranger IN
nothing less There I told YOU 50"
There was a familiar football on
the dlning-room floor. and the next
instant Mother Graham-majestlc in
her gray dressing gown. the braided
v.sps OF her hair covered With a
silk cap. her feet decorously shod
A. ----s. -al-----a InsfAaS of rad yarn