New Britain herald., 1924-01-21
The Guilty Sense of Relief
 Aladge Detected

Usually I find that on most oc- casions I agree with Lillian heartily but at her cynical prophecy concern ing my sister-in-law. I found myself hotly resentful. I had experienced the same feeling before, when l first had realized her innate dislike of liar ret Braithwaito. but l found 1t in- tensified now because l felt that my friend, usually so tolerant, was doing the other woman an injustice. With almost anyone save Lillian my re- sentiment would have found a flaming ora, outlet, but our friendship has been of too long standing and Is too precious to. me to be ieopardized hy a difference of opinion over another woman's sincerity.
 I contented myself, therefore, with . perfunctory T think you're mis- taken in her." in as colorless a tone as could manage, but which brought a shrewd comprehending glance from Lillian.
 Maybe so, maybe so,' she drawled provokingly. then added with a swift change of tone, but you and I aren't going to quarrel over her, although you are about ready 10 lmpale me on a toothpick. Forget 1t. old dear. I'll promise to leave Mary's little lamb so lashed to the post for meek ness that he won't be able to follow her to school for a week, and I'm going to aid and abet that sage old dame, your mother-in-l in every scene of the comedy-drama she's planning to stage for her daughters benefit, Incidentally, if there's a wiser old bird anywhere than your hus- bands mother I'd like to make her acquaintance"
 Getting Ready
 She's all of that" I returned with strained effort to follow Lillian's camoufaging the ditch of difference between us, and for the rest of our busy forenoon there was no further reference to Harriet from either of us
 Long before the train was due, everything was in readiness, and through the closed kitchen door iioated tantalizing promises of one of katie's best culinary perform dllA'Cs Ahs iiiOlItl-lll~lhW Hau tlIIlfu 10 receive the travellers in her own room, pleading her fear of oyerdo- ing. This decision gave Lillian and me much relief, but I well knew that Mother Graham had not gwen her real reason for her choice of re- oeption rooms. If she had wished 10 go downstairs, she would have carried out her wish. even if it had meant going down in someone's arms. But she had chosen to greet her four orphaned grandchildren from the strategic position Of the room where she intended 10 keep them until she was assured that her daughters desire to have them was fixed beyond tho possibility of regret or change.
 Dicky had wired me not to come to the station in the open car. but 10 have taxis ordered for the party, so that I was compelled to share my mother-in-law's fussy vigil. She is past mistress Of the art of ner- Nous iidgeting, and by the time the travellers were due 10 arrive en- sied the old lnquistion prisoners They at least had few seconds bee tween the drops Of water.
 Tho Arrival
 Here they co-ome :" Marion's ex. cited carol aoated up from inc liv- | ing room windows where she and | Junior had been stationed watching | the road for an hour, and Juniors l treble supplemented the information with the important fact;
 "Comin' fast in two big cars"
 My mother-in-law leaned forward