New Britain herald., 1925-06-08
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6( Boahace Burton o'ess nA za'e1

" sFNNN c PstNN and can't say blame him."
 Gloria shook her pretty head.
 No" she said. Tt goes deeper than that. Dick doesn't care for mo any more. l saw 1t in his face tonight And 1t isn't that he hates me. He's just indifferent to me, He's through with mel"
 She went Into tho dining room and came back with a pile of plates and vegetable dish.
 Then, whom is he in love with ?" Mother Gregory asked. "If he's not in love with you depend upon it. a man Of Dicks age is always in love with somebody or other. That's Nature"
 Gloria stood silent for a moment, watching Dicks mother pile whipped cream on the short cake.
 Yum. yuml Doesn't that look de- lnscious." she said childishly. Then she sobered. T told you this morn ing that I think he's fallen in love with Miss Briggs And I do think so."
 "Nonsense!" Mother Gregory said sharply. Dick likes you just as we'll as he ever did! You just settle down and be A good wife 10 him, and he'll be tickled to death with you"
 She nodded vigorously, so that all the beads on her black dress sparkled.
 "I really haven't been a good wife. have 1?" Gloria asked humbly Afterward, she wished she hadn't said that.
 Mother Gregory was the soul of frankness always. She opened her lips, now, and let Gloria havc the truth abont her wifehood .. or at least what she considered the truth.
 You never were any kind of a wife at all to Dick" she said. You were a drag and a worry to him ... a pretty toy. And any toy be- comes tiresome, after a while"
 She put her hands on the girls slim shoulders, and looked at her gravely.
 Months ago l told you married life wasn't a game, but a business, didn't r." she asked. Gloria nodded
 You believe me now, don't your" Mother Gregory went on. And I'm going to tell you something else Nothing ties a man 10 a woman like child. You take my advice, and give Dick son or two and couple of daughters. -
 Tears smarted in Gloria's eyes It was too late now, for that wise advice. Dick no longer loved her. .. He didn't want her to be the mother Of his children. She was sure of that.
 She winked away her tears, and helped Mother Gregory serve the short-cake.
 There was 8 chill in the air when Dick and Gloria left the Gregory homestead at ten o'clock that night.
 Gloria shivered in her thin silk frock. She cuddled up against Dick In the machine, and laid her head down on his shoulder.
 But he paid no attention to her. He might have been a man of iron as he sat at the wheel.
 Move over, Gloria" he said finally. You're in my way. I can't reach the brake"
 You don't need the brake. There's no traffic" Gloria said grossly. But she moved away from him. She had wild desire to cry.
 You just don't want me near you'' she said, her voice trembling. q know l know"
 Dick said nothing.
 In silence that seemed 10 orackle all around them . so electric 1t was . they drove into the garage, and walked around to the front of the house.
 Well, l wonder how many burg lars will visit us tonight" Dick said as he turned the key in the lock. They went in.
 Its shame about that silver -. although we were insured" Gloria answered. T went down 10 the office today, and had Miss Briggs look it up."
 Dick frovned. q wish you wouldn't come down there and give her orders," he said. When got back from lunch today. she was gone. Her mother called up to say shed been taken sick. suppose her feelings were hurt because of something you said to her. You were rude enough to her last night! -. Now you promise you'll stay away from my office!"
 Gloria tossed her head. wilfully.
 She wasn't sick because of any thing said to her!" she exclaimed Tt was something she said to me that made her sick, I'll bet you!"
 Dick sat down in hts armchair and filled his pipe.
 Well, what did she say?"
 Told me what a crush she has on you," Gloria answered calmly.
 Dick leaped to his feet. "What!" he almost shouted.
 Sure she did" Gloria said. She told me she's been in love with you for years and years. She said that right up to the time you married me she hoped you'd fall in love with her. . That's why she hates me so. She thinks came between you"
 Gloria stood in front of him, watching to see how he took it.
 He took it, unwiilingly. He didn't want to believe this thing that Glo- ria had just told him. although he must have guessed it.
 Are you telling me the truth, Glory?" he asked at last.
 Gloria threw out both her little hands and grabbed the lapels of his