South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-16
HOW THE REAL REASON FOR
BRAKES VISIT WAS DIS
CLOSED To NfADGE


the stranger whom Dicky had
brought home for dinner. could have
created no more panic in my heart
il II had been hand grenade which
ne had exploded at my table.
For L felt instinctively and surely
that his putting OF the question had
some sinister purpose behind II, a
purpose which in some way threat
ened the safety Of my father. Charles
Robert Gordon Spencer, who for
some secret reason of his own had
been known for years as simply
Robert Gordon.
This, then, was the reason for Mr..
brakes hidden watchfulness Of me.
the scrutiny which had so embar-
raised me. How much did he know?
Was he aware that Robert Gordon
was my father. or did he share the
opinion OF our little world that the
elderly "Quester" OF Broadway was
simply a dear old friend OF my
mothers whom we entertained fer
her sake2
Only Dicky and Lillian and Harry
Underwood knew the truth. Harry
was with my father I'm South Amer
lea. and Lillian is a literal sphinx in
her ability 10 keep a secret. No, I'M
less the stranger had some secret
key 20 my fathers long buried past
] decided that he looked upon Dicky
and me simply as friends OF the man
lie wished TO track.
Track" The ugly word 7 had
mentally uttered increased the terror
7 had felt at Mr.. brakes question.
Tt implied something criminal Was
IL possible that the reason for my
father's strange injunction 70 keep
secret the fact OF his real name was
that he stood outside the law"
Who is Drake?
7 tried 10 pull myself together in
order 10 present as unrufhed an ap-
rearance as possible to the critical
gaze Of our visitor I was grateful
10 Dicky for answering the mans
question at once, thus giving me a
chance 70 recover my presence Of
mind Sometimes Dicky's inconse-
quential chatter initiates me, but as
7 listened TO the clever description
OF Robert Gcrdon's little eccentrici-
ties which he was giving Mr.. Drake
p appreciated for the first time my
husbands ability 10 talk entertain
i1glv upon anything and nothing.
HE is surely a romantic figure,
isn't he. Mrs. Graham >"
Mr.. brakes voice broke In upon
Dicky's flow OF "reminiscences. He was
evidently determined TO draw me
into the conversation by any means
possible.
A little fabe OF anger flared in me
What right had this man 70 come
spying into our home under pre-
teace Of being a guest But even as
asked myself the question the word
spying" sent a little cold chill
through me.
II he were indeed spying" as my
heated imagination told me, then il
must be for one OF two reasons
Either ne was an enemy OF my
father's. satisfying personal
drudge, or he was what was even
more TO be dreaded, an impersonal
officer OF The law.
I am sure however. that even the
Eeen eyes OF the man watching me
could detect nothing of what I felt
in my manner. I have always
prided myself upon my power of
depressing my feelings before
strangers. and Of a certain quicknesS
Of thought 7 possess in emergencies.
u is only where my relations with
Dicky are concerned that I seem
compelled 10 wear my heart upon
my sleeve. much 10 my own disgust.
In Dicky's Absence.
ct romantic figure, indeed" I
agreed. and I flatter myself that my
tone was exactly the correct one to
Use in speaking OF a pleasant &C
quaintance. Mr.. Graham and are
auite fond OF him. He has wonder
fully quaint old-world ways Of
speech and actions. I have often
told my husband that he ought 70 be
dressed in velvet doublet ard silken
hose and put into a picture. Don't
YOU think So"
u was an effort on my part 10
raise my eyes 10 the keen ones which
knew were watching me intently. a
Greater effort not 20 drop them in
stantly before the amused mockery
that Law in the steely gray depths.
half-veiled by the long. almost femi-
nine eyelashes or Mr.. Drake But I
looked at him steadily. calmly. and
was surprised 10 see the amused,
hooking look modified by something
which 7 could not avoid knowing
was sympathy-yes-an a tinge OF
admiration.
But when he answered his tone
was cutting. razor-like in its sharp
ness
Il should hardly idealize Mr.. Cor
don so much as that" he said. and
then quickly changed the subject by
"a delicately turned compliment upon
the dessert Katie had served but a
few moments before.
He did not nae ntion my father
name again until after we had in-
ished our after-dinner coffee by the
living room fire. custom % which
Dicky and 7 cling. He had been so
charming a companion that I was
almost lulled into believing I had