Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-11-24
Daily Short Story
Mrs. Alton Concludes

~S'S
= I'm taxing myself and II won't
be a biz of trouble"
BECOMES DOMINATING
She heard Grace moan.
But, Clara YOU said you'd
play today. What in the name
of peace will YOU do with the
afternoon IL we don't play"
II Mrs Alton Lad been heSitant
before. she was hrm now.
II have plenty Ia do. she de-
clarCd hailN. Come along"
she snapped 10 the tall, sick
looking woman. I'm I'm
hurry"
The other followed meekly, and
when Mrs. Alton did not hail a
cab. Mrs. Cooke stood motionless.
II thought we might have
some tea" Mrs. Alton sug-
geSted on the spur of the
moment. you look as though
you need a quiet spot"
Henry Cookies mother nodded
silently. IL wasn't until they
were seated al a little table over
looking the throng of shoppers,
that she spoke. With a crooked
little smile and a helpless gesture
of her hands she explained;
I'm having daughter-in-iaw
trouble"
Mrs. Alton gave an impercepti-
bic start, and took swallow of
water
That's unfortunate" she
murmured after a second.
81 Just don't know what 10
do" Mrs Cooke. making a
gallant effort 10 control trem-
bling lips, continued. Prom
the time he was little boy.
Henry and 1 were just rs close
as n mother and son could be-"
SHE Is SYMPATHETIC
Mrs. Alton nodded impatiently
Maybe IL isn't as bad as you
think" she offered, hoping that
they could get along with other
subjects. o. but her guest was not
10 be deferred
Its worse she groaned.
Henry's wife is going 10 leave
him, and how he hates me. Says
it's my fault"
Mrs, Alton was afraid the other
woman was going 10 burst into
tears.
Pull yourself together" she
directed sternly. That's no way
to meet a problem.
"How would YOU meet Ii ."
the other demanded bluntly.
She wrfnkled her brows in sud-
dent thought How would she
meet such problem What if
Ralph told her that Joan was
leaving?
ut isn't as though you got
back your son, Mrs. Cooke
mourned. II thought II would
be like old times, just Henry
and me. But II isn't. Every
thing he does, everything he
say. shows that-he does not
even belong to himself any
more. And he certainly doesn't
belong to me.
ut just seems all the I'm
portant part of him belongs to
that girl" She fairly Spat out
the last two words. THAT girl"
she repeated bitterly "And
afer all I did for him. After
all our years together :"
But IL isn't as though he be-
longed to you" protested Mrs.
Alton in a shocked voice. "He
isn't little boy any more, you
know"
"He Is to me-" Mrs. Cooke
declared firmly. Hell always
be-" She gathered up her gloves
and gave her hostess a bleak
glance, Its different with
YOU" she mumbled. turning
away almost before Mrs. Alton
could gather up her things.
You don't know what i gave
up 1Or my son.
THINKS OVER HER WORDS
The slim woman with the black
hat followed the other out of the
restaurant. At the corner she
paused as though she would i'm
press upon this rather dowdy
creature the fact that il is i'm
possible TO harness another human
being 10 outgrown apron strings.
AS though sensing her desire
Mrs. Cooke stretched out her hand
with quick understanding.
IF you're ever In the same
position" she muttered swiftly,
you'll understand -
She scampered aboard a north
bound bus and was gone. Gone
before Mrs. Alton could say.
Don't be a fool. Let him 60
II he wants TO. He'll never
thank YOU for making him re-
main with YOU"
The woman's words rang in her
ears.
"If you're ever in the same
position"
But / mustn't be- Mrs. Alton
told herself desperately. How
horrible how dreadful-to have
her son resent her. To have him
ADVERTISEMENT
~ GOAT ON ThE SAHApA l
c nC TLIC TCi nAlnkE