The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-09-20


ing TO herself:
Lillian Gale! Lillian Gale" she was
saying, How blind I've been"
Even in my anxiety for her condition
1 found time to wonder as TO the sig
nificance of her explanations. Evil
IDENTIFY the name of Lillian Gale was
familiar to her. From her tones also
I knew that it was not a welcome name.
What was there in the past friendship
of Dicky and Mrs. Underwood to cause
his mother SO much emotion? 1 re-
membered the comments 1 had heard
at the theater about my husbands
friendship with this woman.
All of my old doubts and misgiv-
ings which had been smothered by the
very real admiration had felt for Liz
liam Gales many good qualities re-
vived. What was the secret in the
lives of these two? I felt that for my
own peace of mind I must know.
"See If He's Gone"
The color was gradually coming back
to my mother in laws face. I stood by
her chair, forgetting her insults, re-
membering nothing. save that she was
old and a sick woman.
rs there anything can get for you?"
I asked as l saw the strained look in
her eyes die out
Nothing, thank you she said. Then
to my surprise she reached UP her
hand, took mine in hers, and pressed
it feebly. 1 could not understand her
quick transition from bitter contempt
to friendly warmth. Evidently some
thing in my words had startled her
and had changed her viewpoint. But
I put speculation aside until some
more opportune time. The imperative
thing for me was to minister to her
needs. mentally and physically.
So l returned the pressure of her
hacd and waited silently for her next
w,&ds. They were not long in coming.
please go to the door she half
whispered, and see if that awful man
is gone. We must not leave here until
we are sure he is nowhere about"
"No Concern OF Yours"
You are sure you'll be all right?"
asked anxiously.
Perfectly sure" she returned, and
in her voice was the old note of i'm
periousness which I knew betokened
her return to her usual self So left
her sitting quietly in one of the rock
ing chairs which the rest room had,
opened the door and cautiously looked
out. No one was in sight, and I VEN
tured farthera out into the building.
wanted to assure myself that Har-
ry Underwood was nowhere to be seen.
AS 7 walked down one of the aisles be-
tween the tanks of seals his voice
sounded in my ears.
There was a note in it which told
me that no longer need be afraid of
his annoying me, at Leaf not on this
occasion. He was paIpably nervous
and anxious, and his words were hur-
ried.
Just forget my spiel OF a few min
utes ago" he said in an offhand man
ner which with him serves instead Of
an apology. I've got something i'm
portant to say to you, something
which went clean out of my head.
Don't let Dicky's mother know who I
am at least that I'm Ills husband or
anything about Lii and me until 1 have
a chance to see Dicky. The old girl
magazines she has a grievance against
Lii, and there is no use opening old
sores unless you have to-"
gazed at him open -mouthed. II
don't understand" said vaguely.
His eyes dropped before mine. He
stirred uneasily. mo, you wouldn't"
he said evasively, and then. as if with
sudden determination, there is no
need you ever should know. 1t is a
matter that doesn't concern you in the
least. Take my advice and don't ever
try to find out
But Mrs. Graham does know who
you are. just told her
He uttered a long, low whistle,
which expressed CONSERVATION more |
wildly than any words would have
done.
We'll. the fats already in the fire. /
Then he commented synically, I wish !
you Joy of the mess. Good morning ]
He raised his hat. made me courtly
bow, which is one of his chief &C /!
complishments, and went toward the
ferry entrance, leaving me bewildered
and upset with what he had just told
me- Chagrin, anger, jealousy-aH
swept over me.
Here, from another source was /
confirmation of my suspicious that !
there had been some secret in the past |
life Of my husband and Lillian Gale
of which I had never been told.
stood perfectly still for a moment or 1,
two while the conflicting emotions
which Harry Underwood's words had
raised had their way with me. (
Then another thought crept into my j
mind. What was Harry Underwood's .
real motive in giving me this warning? ,
Was he sincere in his desire 10 avoid
trouble or had he taken advantage of
the unexpected situation to try to les /
sen my confidence in Dicky?
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