New Britain herald., 1923-12-10
Harriet Braithwaite's Call Portendcd
 some Revelation

For q long time after the slam of the door which marked Dicky's tur- bulent exit, I sat motionless, Joking into the fire I had built in the tiny grats before his homecoming. I had triumphed at every point in the bat tie I had waged for Leila. Bess Deans manoeuvres to keep Alfred in- ffrested were effectively checked-Dr.
 'oithwaite had seen 10 that-and I ! d been the victor in the wordy bat
 which Dicky had begun when he II ached home after his discovery that II had told Dr. Braithwaite of Bess Eean. But there was no feeling of llxhultation within me. Instead, I llealized to the full what the old phrase. dust and ashes" meant. I tould taste both of them as l went over and over again Dicky's surpris- ing revelation that he had been try ing to put Bess Deans true colors on canvas for Alfred's benefit.
 l never thought of doubting his statement. It had too sincere a ring to bed iscredited, but it upset all my previous suppositions concerning Dicky's part in the affair. knew very dell that Bess Dean had no at traction for Dicky. but I had be- lieved him to he perfectly willing to sbet Alfred in what both no doubt considered to be perfectly harmless philandcring. His stormy revelation of his real attitude gave me the sense of having done him q grave in- justice, something, l think, which was most salutary for me.
 The BeIr Rings
 ] do not know how long my self reproachful mood would have lasted if it had not hoer terminted by 8 ringing Of the door boil. By both the sound and the indicator ] knew that it was not the lower hall odor of the building. but the upper one Of the apartment whose hall and bell we were compelled to share with the Marks family. For a second or two, forgetting that had any friends who could get into the build ing without ringing, I waited for Mrs. Marks 10 go to the door. Then. with an exclamation Of annoyance at my own stupidity l remembered that my sister-in-law, Harriet Braithwaite had temporary quarters on the floor above me, and I rushed to the door
 Mrs. Marks voice. raised impa- tiently, reached me before l opened if.
 "Have heart :" she adjured the performer, One ring is enough. We'll, what is it."
 heard Harriet's well-bred tones. in low inquiry. and opened my door quickly to hear Mrs. Marks in vouble apology.
 Mrs. Marks spolosixcr
 "Oh Gee I'm sorry l didn't know--you must be her sister-in- law-oh. Mis- Graham 7" she turned. and greeted my unexpected appear ance with 2 little scream.
 I'm as nervous as cat" she said. and with no more words. for which [ was truly thankful. she scut- tied down the hall lod the way back into the apartment with a dread Of Hsrriet's comments upon my bizarre neighhor. No one Of Dcky's fsmine relatives is averse to give criticism unmssked, although l Harriet, to do her justice. is the least of the offenders. But she gave no sign of having seen anything unusual in Mrs. Marks appeaRnce or greet l ing.
 Edwin is asleep" she said, in ex- plsnstion Of her cali. and saw DiclSy 70 out from my window up- stsirs, so l knew you'd be alone"
 It did not take g very keen in- telligence 10 sec that she wished to give me E confidence Of some sort. l spd drew chair close beside mine. l