The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-22
CHAPTER 2s

had named her Mary, after mother. Mother wrote that she was delighted and that Elsa's baby was lovely child.
 "She had q wonderful layette for her, such dainty lawns and laces." l wiped away my tears before went on. "I never saw a baby who had lovelier things. Elsa is very happy, has most indulgent husband who thinks everything she does or wants to do is just right"
 Some way mothers letter gave me . heartache. I had heard very little of Elsa since she married and went to California to live. She had sent for mother before her little girls was born and mothers letter really told me more of my sister than I had before known.
 It would seem funny to have a hus- band who let you have your own way, who thought what you did right, thought as I read mothers letter for the third .time. My husband was in dulgent. too-in q manner. I had all the physical comforts needed, plenty oeat and wear. But-I had to eat what he ordered, had to wear what he chose for me. Was that really be- ing indulgent? It seemed not to me when I read that Elsa's husband thought everything she did or wanted to do was right.
 read the letter to Manville. could not deny myself that one expression of my feeling. When had finished he said with distinct snort:
 Fool! He'll get over that non- sense !'
 But he loves her so much, Man. ville."
 That's no excuse for indulgence. I'll wager they will have a weak, sick ly baby smothered in laces and fol- de-rols."
 I said nothing. How could have supposed he would understand. Daily we were growing apart. It had been so gradual I, at least, had scarcely noticed it. We seemed to have abso- lutely nothing in which both of us were interested. I either had to take on his interests or have none. Then, too, he was growing neglectful. As I look back can scarcely blame him for that. I was uninterestins, a meek. fearful-of.offending him, sort of a creature who appeared to have no mind of my own but agreed with his slight est expression.
 I always now said Ives" when he expected me to. No" the same. never gave voice to a desire. never obtruded an opinion. was like a parrot who had learned his lesson and sai dit mechanically. I had even given | in to the extent of calling my baby Anna" although I had sworn--to my. self-that never would. But it was easier to do as Manville wanted me i'ro snd 80 keep everything running smoorhiy tSdn it was to oppose him. I had ceased trying to dress as longed to. wore only the colors and the clothes he selected. We had had an awful quarrel when I put on the orange draped gray dress I had worn to June's dinner when he was in New York. He had torn my lovely orange sash, so angrily had he pulled it from my waist.
 When buy you a gown that suits me I expect you will wear it as 1t is. I pay for your clothes. You will wear what tell you to or remain at home"
 I wish might inject into my story the tone in which Manville used to deliver himself of an ultimatum; the quiet, cold, decisive manner of speak. ing which took all will to answer, to disagree. from one. used to wish he would yell at me. anything but that cold tone that instinctively one knew would brook no opposition, scarcely a reply.
 I was not a stupid girl in spite of having always been pushed into the background-when I married Manville Hyde. But I was fast becoming stupid wife. A person of no ideas, so no knack of expression. When we went out hardly dared speak for fear would say something displeasing to hi mand have bad half hour when we were alone. As for venturing to express an opinion, I should not have dared; not on the simplest subject. Yet in many ways Manville was good husband; better I now know than men who have vices which are inn possible for a woman to endure. I had whole days with my baby. I had lovely home, kept beautifully, with almost no responsibility as far as was concerned. had good food, I went to the theatre and opera occa- sionAlly. We entertained and were entertained. Yet I was developing into nervous, uninteresting, disgruntled sort of woman.
 My delight knew no bounds when I knew I was to again become a