The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-09-18

who were evidently anxious to avoid
attention, were in even worse condi-
ton that he.
How do you do" he Knocked, seizing
my hand and brining it almost up to
his shoulder in a burlesque of a frigid
greetings You don't seem glad to see
me at all. You don't seem surprised,
either. You ought to be eaten up with
curiosity to know what brought me
down to this godforsaken place. Worst
hole 1 ever struck. I know you think
so, too"
How to answer him or what to do I
did not know. He evidently had been
drinking to make himself irresponsible.
He did not give me time to ponder
long, however. Who is your lady
friend?" he burlesqued. Introduce
me-"
A man less audacious than Harry
Underwood would have been daunted
by the picture my mother in law pre-
scented as he turned toward her. Her
figure was drawn up to is extreme
height, and she was surveying him
through her lorgnette with an express
curiosity an explorer might feel at
meeting some strange specimen of ami
NAL in his travels.
Mrs. Graham, this is Mr.. Under
wood, Mrs. Graham, Dicky's mother"
My mother-in- law may overawe or
binary people, but Harry Underwood
minded her disdain no more than he
would have the contempt of a stately
Plymouth Rock hen. She had lowered
the lorgnette as 1 spoke, and he grab
bed the hand which still held it, shak-
ing it as warmly as if it belonged to
some long-lost friend.
AREN'T You Curious"
We'll! Welt" he said effusively
But this is great. Dear old Dicky's
mother!" He stopped and fixed a
specializing stare upon her. You mean
his sister" he said reprovingly at me.
Don't tell me you mean his mother.
No, no, can't believe that"
He shook his head solemnly. Evil
IDENTIFY he was much impressed with
himself If 1 had not been so misera-
able could have smiled at the idea of
Harry Underwood trying on the elder
Mrs. Graham the silly specious flat |
teries he addressed to most women. |
My mother-ir.-iaw did not deign to an |
swer him. Her manner was superb in
it's naughty reserve although 1 could !
not say much for her courtesy. As he
her hand she let it drop quiet |,
ly to her side and stood STILL gazing at /
him with a quiet disdainfuI iooA that |
would have almost made any ether !.
man vince.
But it did not bother Harry Under |
wood in the least. He gave her a |
shrewd appraising look and then turn !
that was as complete as her ignoring !,
Of him.
Say" he demanded. aren't you 4 !
bit curious about what brought me
down here? You ought to be. The !
funniest thing in the world my being /
down here"
Underwood Scores One.
His silly repetitions, his slurred
his slightly unsteady fig
lre made me realize with a quick hor-
-or that the man was more intoxicated
than 1 supposed. How to get away
rom him as quickly as possible was
The problem I faced. decided to hu-
nor him as I would any other insane
person I dreaded.
4 am never curious / responded
lightly. Il suppose. Of course. that you
ire here to visit the Aquarium, as We
ire"
Z Visit the Aquarium! Ha! Hai
That's a good one he retorted. laugh
ng boisterously. Not but what water
ooks good to me today he went on re-
1ectively. ANY kind OF water looks
rood to yours truly this morning"
There didn't seem to be any answer
o make to this speech, so 1 kept 81
ent. But to the irresponsible mood of
he man before me silence only meant
to more absurdities.
Intn his nres fIashad the danoirn