The Pensacola journal., 1917-01-21

/ WLnmln. rail- came WlLn grey Gays
and bleak cold winds. We took our
| departure. / cast a last, long look
at the old house, and waved my hand
kerchief again and again to the faith
| full servants and field hands, who had
gathered about US to say goodbye.
At the station in New York, we were
met by Thompson and taken to a
hotel. That night he and Harold
Martin called. Martin, dissipated, an
/ idler, one of the wealthy "400", took
a fancy to me, and asked me to at
tend a club ball the following night.
I purchased new gown for the oc-
casion, but when dressed for the
ball, was so ashamed of the low neck
/ and scarcity of sleeve, / covered my
! shoulders in cloud of tulle. Rushed
/ by Martins friends, had an abund-
ance of partners. My attention was
attracted several times by a guest
who seemed to take little stock in
! the gaiety and dancing. He wore an
officers suit, and his erect figure and
strong, clean-cut face, presented a
striking contrast to those about him.
| inquired who he was. Martin in
formed me he was "a captain in the
United States army, and his name
was Jack Howard. He also said
Howard was a woman hater, but /
never did believe such things exist
ed, did you? Surrounded by a cote
rie of admirers, was led to an
alcove-Howard had watched me
during the evening. He now realized
l was in fast company. Approaching,
he obtained an introduction.
Walters appeared with cocktails. I
drank one with the boys, and en-
couraged by Martin, was about to
take another, when Howard inter-
vened. Surprised, / handed him my
glass. Martin was angered and struck
Howard in the face. Howard knock
ed him down. Martin was picked up
and carried out by his friends.
The ballroom guests, unaware of
trouble, danced serenely on. How
ard then took me home, as was dis
tressed over the whole occurrence,
and had no desire to remain longer.
In the taxi / attempted to express
my thanks, but he assured me he had
done nothing.
Later, in my room, I realized in
Howard, the ideal of my dreams, and
my heart pleaded to him its dearest
hopes.
The following morning had note
of apology and box of roses from
Martin. 1 opened the roses first
was disappointed when / saw the
card. My father visited the stock
exchange with Thompson. He put q
small amount into wheat and cleaned
up a profit. Thompson thought he
saw an opportunity to make a for
tune in cotton and invested heavily
My father followed his example,
mortgaging our home for ready mon
ey. The market dropped. They both
went down in the crash.
That afternoon Mrs. Barnett, sis
ter of Howard, called on mother and
me. I played for her. She told US
of her two children and wished for g
good teacher for them. Father was
late coming home. Anxiously We
waited for him. At last he arrived
broken, detected, telling us of tn,
Wall Street adventure He said oul
/ home would gos for the mortgage
Never had home seemed dearer thar
at that moment. Thompson came il
to condole with us. My mother wa
always delighted to see him, ant
father too, but tonight father coul,
not b1 aroused from his detection
until | went to him, and putting m!
arms around him, rested my chez
against his'grey hair, then looked up
and tried bravely to smile.
We moved to humber qaurters
and secured Mrs. Barnett's children
as pupils. One afternoon / was jus
finishing lesson there, when How
ard called on his sister. How glad
was to see him. That night Martil
took me to roof garden. The Bar
netts and Howard were there. How
ards displeasure at seeing me wit
Martin was so pronounced, it threN
} a damper over my spiit for tn
= rest of the evening"
One rainy night when l least ex
| pected him, and at Jim's persuasio
| had settled ON the floor to play blocks