The Omaha morning bee., 1923-11-01
Adele Garrison
my Husbands Love"
DIR. Braithwaite lfelephoned Mrs.
Beckett About a Case,

Once her doubts have been arous
ed it Is difficult task to convince
any woman of her husbands loyal
ty to her. Harriet Braithwaite's face
had reflected perfect peace and JOY
when at her suggestion of going away
for day or two, on the eve, of Mrs
Durkee's operation, the brilliant sur.
geon who was her husband clearly
showed his panic, at the idea and his
close dependence upon her. Yet
when after the lapsing of the quarter
of an hour DIR. Braithwaite had
allotted himself for an after-dinner
! rest, he rose and walked toward the
telephone, I saw the old look of
waiting, indefinable fear leap into his
wifes eyes.
''What IL Mrs. Durkee's number"
he asked me, reaching for the re-
ceiver, but l put my hand over it,
forestalling him.
Better let me struggle with the
telephone service, Edwin" l said
1aughingly. II have numberless
mental calluses from the encounters,
and am shock proof. I'll get Alfred
fer to talk to Katherine Bickett?'
The question had to be asked. |
knew that, and l preferred to get it
cut of the way as soon as~possible.
But l was conscious of the violin
string tautness of Harriet Braith-
waite's nerves, as she furtivey
watched her husbands face and
listened to his voice. To my own
hind, however, my theory that Ed
win Braithwaite's interest in my win
some little Sinswoman was only a
fatherly, loyal remembrance of the
years when she was his most valued
assistant. was confirmed at the frank,
open pleasure, untouched by the
slightest embarrassment, which his
face showed at her name.
'Oh! is Katherine already with
Mrs. Durkee?" he asked. II did not
understand that from your wire. l
thought she was at the farm"
Braithwaite Telephones katherine.
II believe she planned to go to
Marvin yesterday" l returned, still
with my ear to the receiver, and
then Alfred Durkee's voice called
Hello and with hasty word Of
explanation I turned the receiver over
to my brother-in-law.
He talked with Alfred, briefly,
breaking off in the middle of a cen
tence to say apologetically:
rs Mrs. Beckett there? Pardon
me, but she is so used to what /
want that l think l can make every
thing / want clear to her without
bothering you"
I remembered Harriet's smile Of
a boy at a Christmas tree, as l
watched Edwin's face in the inter
val before Katherine came to the
sflephone. And his greeting was en-
Enthusiastically affectionate.
MY dear grill 1t certainly Is
good to hear you again. Yes. am
very well. indeed, feeling especially
fit. And you? That's good. Now
about Mrs. Durkee. Is she within
hearing? Yes? Then I'll frame my
questions so you can answer yes or
no. Ready?"
His manner had changed abruptly
with his mention of the patient
whose life would be laid In his hands
in the next few days. Every vestige
Of the personal had vanished. 1t was
as IL the mantle of his profession
suddenly had wrapped itself around
him. excluding everything else. II
Harriet Braithwaite had the sense
she was born with" to quote her in
domitable mother. she could not but
see that there was no hint OF rom
, snce in this first interchange of
words after the years which had
separated her husband from the. girl
who had given him-and his wife
such loyal, devoted service.
Arranging for the Operation.
But l soon forgot Harriet Braith-
waite's problems In my breathless,
frightened interest in the questions
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