The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-08-13

Pen cares-as he used-I'm absolutely
sure"
Il, too" Trudell agreed. II meant,
however, to ask whether she continued
the same" His chill eyes and the
Remsen look battled for an instant;
but the single purpose Of the man car
ried conviction, and Horny answered,
though coldly.
81 thought that one had but to see
her to know that Sue
Trudell shifted impatiently. But I
haven't seen her. If | had, there'd
have been no need of asking you this.
| hate this going to week-ends. | like
to choose my own dinner-and COM
panion; and I abhor gambling at
breakfast. And like extra-long
sheets. And 1 dislike babies without
hair and teeth. | go about very little.
I'm pig and unrepentant. II it were
not that / contracted, long ago, the
habit of friendship for Pen I wouldn't
mix in this condemned affair. q.
But l think we have eliminated any
question of-er-two unpleasant posi-
bilities." He got up, his suave, indif-
ferent self again, and took himself off
abruptly. And Horny believed that two
unpleasant possibilities acre elimina-
ted until, at luncheon, Trudel came
up. allowed himself to be induced to
make a third, and, before the cheese
and barbecue, had allowed himself to
be badgered into going out with them
for the night-at last!
But Mrs. Bond-an unexpected
guest may upset something she has
on" He went through the usual
protests so genuinely that Horny was
moved to admiration. He kept his non
committal smile throughout Pens urg-
ings-he couldn't let himself be out
played by Trudell; but inwardly he
was divided between respect for Tru-
dell's persistence in a friends cause
and a desire to punch his head for the
implied doubt Of Sue. AS to Sue her
self-she had but to be herself, as al
ways.
Billy Trudell saw more. He went
to his room to get into a lounging
jacket preparatory to comfortable
mans hour before bed, and, returning,
was stopped, at the turn Of the CORR
dor, by the coming in from the nur-
sery wing Of Penny and Sue. Pens
arm was about her, they were speaking
softly; Trudell felt barred, on this
visit, at least, from joining them in
the intimacy of that moment.
You won't stay up very late, will
you, dear?" he heard her ask
"No-one cigar" Pen promised. Be
fore Billy Trudell could retreat she
turned in her husbands hold, put up
her bare white arms, and drew his
head down.
"Dear"-her voice was a wistful ca
ress-'' sometimes-if it were not that
this is better for the babel could
wish that we were back to the crampy
little apartment we began in, and l
cooking-no servants about-and not
so many coming. | had you more
there" Her bright head dropped 10
Pens shoulder and he gathered her
close, but said not a word. Trudell,
lost to decency, waited and wondered
at him.
"Amn't 1 a si1ly?" Sues half-laugh
begged to be contradicted. People
can't always and forever live just to
themselves, l know. But l don't seem
to help, as 1 used, and we never have
time to talk-how things are going;
and you look so tired, dear. Do I ask
too much of your"
YOU" Pen began, and though he
said no more, the word was eloquent.
Sue spoke very softly after a minute.
Just this once tell me that make
you happy. Do I?''
Yes" Just one word again, quick
and tense. Then, after a pause: iii
be better after little, dear. Business
always muddled at the years end,
Y know. I'm a bit tagged,
Il know, I know" She stopped
his half-apology quickly. "Only-teH
me you're tired, sometimes. Let me
pet you and coddle you and fuss over
you the way-we-used- The
words trembled off to a quaver that
she turned into a laugh, and she lifted
\
cause you're the first. after all-spite
of a dozen babies"
"Sweetheart-you poor little grill"
Pens arms caught her at that. drew
her back to the window-seat and held
her there against his shoulder in the
old way. SUEDE l neglect you? Am
| changed to you? Heaven knows
Sue, am I making you unhappy"
Why, my precious boy-I unhdp-
pU!r Womanlike, she disclaimed it
while her very infection joyed in the
assurance his tenderness gave her.
You poor, bothered, tired old honey
- With a mothering Groom she
drew away to take him close. Billy
Truden saw Pens masterful head go
down on the white shoulder YEARLY
and lie close to the sweet throat while
she whispered; and Billy Trudell felt
a mighty shame and a tweaking lone
illness, and averted his face and crept,
stealthily. back to his room.
He emerged, after due time, with an
elaborate stumble, and descended to
take the lead in an hour of good-fel-
owship-cordial, kindly, vastly expe-
rienced, alkatiye-altogethe another
Trudell than Horny had guessed exist
ed. He went to rest vastly cheered.
Trudell seemed entirely at ease-Pen
had been himself. There was nothing
askew, after all.
Merely to be treasured, he ap-
preached the pink and pleasant Tru-
dell next morning on the hearth-rug
with a tentative "Well?"
Sure enough said Trudell, briskly.
I'D quite forgotten. Suppose We say
the club-to-morrow-at three" Their
eyes met; and Horny saw that there