The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-08-29

Jacks reasons for leaving.
HE can't fool me with his lame ex-
cuse OF something highly important
he had forgotten" she went on, lay
ing the napkins opposite each Others
with geometricaI precision. Some
things in the wind" She gave me a.
shrewd glance as she went 10 a Mttles
old fashioned corner cupboard built
int6Tthe wall and took ont pepper.
salt mustard. oil and vinegar. The
homely preparations took me back To-
the days when Mrs. Stewart would
smuggle my mother and myself into
her sitting room for supper, keeping
the meal a secret from the other
boariers because OF the petty jealousy
which might result
Seeing you take out those condi-
ments reminds me OF old times" q
said.
"Oid times that would better have
continued she retorted GROSSLY, taking
out a tiny jar Of strawberry preserves
OF her own making. dainty OF which
she knew I was particularly fond.
Ny heart almost echoed her words.
Surely, the peace and quiet OF the OLD
days at Mrs. Stewards even with their
deadly monotony, were better than the
Kaleidoscope, tempestuous life I had
led as Dicky's wife.
How good Of you to think OF rhosa
strawberry preserves!" made another
desperate effort TO change the sub4
ject.
They've been waiting right here fo1
you, Jack Beckett ever since I put
them up. / wouldn't waste them on
the trash I've got In the house now"
Even through my misery smiled, as
had done many times before. at thu
peculiar attitude held by Mrs. Stew.
art toward the boarders in her house.
Her house was a model for comfort
service. and cuisine; she did every-
thing she could for the comfort OF hea
paying guests but admit the most
Of them to any intimacy whatever she
would not
Is Mrs. Stewart ciairvoyant7
Wen make It a regular old-tima
spread" she went on kindly. taking
down cups, saucers, and plates OF thin
old china, which l knew she priced be-
cause they HAD been her mothers. She
never allowed the maids TO touch them
washing them herself in her own sit
ting room upon the rare occasions q
of her using them.
oh. Mrs. Stewart" protested i
am always so afraid Of breaking ona
OF those piecesf"
Nonsense, child" she returned.
You're not the kind that breaks
things-unless it's a heart" she wens
on in lower tone. I'm afraid you've
done that without meaning st."
A knock at the door saved me
reply, for which 1 was grateful
knew that she meant Jacks heart, and
l most certainly did not wish her "a
pursue that subject any farther.
That's Annie's knock tfought.14
was time they were getting themselves
up here"
She opened the door as she SPOKE
apparently regardless Of whether the
maids heard her or not.
l was dismayed as 1 looked az the
array Of covered dishes I felt as IL
could not touch a morsei OF food. yet
how could refuse TO eat without Of
Tending Mrs. Stewart
Luckily, had planned some Of
your favorite dishes for the regular
dinner tonight" she said beamfng as
Annie deposited a steaming chatting
1lsn upon the table mere ; yOu1
Maryland creamed chicken, my dear
and. and French fried potatoes. These
lima beans have the sauce you used
to like, too, and I'm going to dress
this tomato and lettuce salad myself
Do you remember now you used 20 lika
hat French dressing ] made with the
Try mustard in IT."
do I remember" I smiled at Hsr,
but it was a smile that hid tears, Ior
was near breaking down Il would
be an ungrateful girl ever 10 forget
any of the thoughtful things you
used to do for the LITTLE mother and
me-