The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-01-09

with a look of anxious concern.
Pierre, did you tell this lady that
all these tables We're engaged?''
The lady did not say that she was
| having tea with anyone, Mr.. Fordham,
and I-you see, we are so crowded this
afternoon" alphabetically. land these
tables seat four. If the lady had only
said"
| But Mr.. Fordham cut him short with
an impatient Let us have service
here al once
Before Helen realized it, they were
seated at the same table which she
! had been asked to leave few mo-
| ments ago. But now both the waiter
and head waiter were most solicitous
| in their attentions.
/ Helen was still so urously indig-
nant over the incident that she could
! think of nothing else. 1t was not I'M
| til they had been served that she
was really conscious that she was
| having tea with stranger.
Should she nave made some ex-
| cuse? Was 1T a very unconventional
thing to do. Yet she could not help
| feeling grateful for having been re-
| lleved from so embarrassing a posi-
ton.
Just then a brass buttoned bell boy
came 10 CnelT tdDIS-
You're wanted the phone Mr..
Fordham.
viii you excuse me moment"
turning to Helen.
Her glance followed his tall gray
figure through the terrace end into
the corridor. So he was staying here?
That accounted for his being so we'll
known and for his being treated with
such solicitous courtcsy-and his name
was Fordham.
Helen's thoughts were in a wh;~l.
Not since she was married had she
dined or lunched had tea with any
man except Warren. Her glance fell
on the staw hat and stick on the chair
beside her. How like Warren's. The
same plain wood. crooked handled
stick and even the makers name in
| the upturned hat was the same.
She could hardly believe that it was
not Warren who had been called to the
phone. And the crumpled napkin be-
| side his plate-the very way Warren
always threw down his napkin.
I'm sorry to have had to leave you
| he said as he again took his place at
the table and laid the napkin over
| his knee with Warren's very gesture.
Helen Anxious.
| Won't you have some fresh tea
I'm afraid that is cold
| Mono" hastily. I'll not have
time. l only came in here to rest a
few moments
DO you know again that personal
note in his voice, this is the rlrst
time I've ever been on this terrace ?
| [ never take tea. l just came in here
and was going up to my room when
| something made me come out here.
What form of mental telegraphy would
| you call that
81 hardly think you dignity it
/ by so pretentious a name flushed
| Helen. Il would cal il merely a chance
meeting"
| With nervous fingers Helen was
| crumblng a bit of cake by her plate.
| The conversation was growing too
personal She was trying desperately
| to think of something to say about
her husband or Mr.. Curtis. but she
could think of nothing that would
sound natural
IT'S almost half-past five ner-
vously taking up her gloves, and t.
cropping for an excuse. I've an early
dinner engagement
When the waiter brought the check
stick that looked so much like War
rens.
In silence that was conscious and
slightly strained they left the terrace
and walked slowly through the now
crowded lounge rooms that led to the
door.
Helen felt the moment OF parting