The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-08-17
Revelations
Ofa Wife
BY ADELE GARRISON.

Twelve o'clock, if the train gets in
on time" I unused. THAT gives me
plenty of time. after all"
At the delicatessen store upon my
way back to the drug store was de-
layed but a moment. The proprietor
looked inquiringly at me as I came
opposite to the counter.
Mrs. Graham" 1 answered his look.
you have a bottle of cream for me-"
ooh, yes, ma'am. Here it is" and a
neatly wrapped bottle was passed to
across the counter.
A Surprising Realization.
AS 1 entered the drug store again
my spirits rose. One of the booths
was empty. deposited the cream and
the box of flowers on a counter near
the booth, and took my muff and purse
in with me.
1 already had nickel in my hand.
Slipping the cord of my muff and the
chain of my purse over my right wrist
I took down the receiver with my left
hand. The depositing of the nickel
was a matter of some difficulty, ham
pered as / was by the muff and purse
but / finally got it in, and heard CEN
LraIS famlilar, NUMBER"
"Stuyvesant $685.
The connection was quickly made.
and it was but moment before I
heard a sleepy sounding voice, Hotel
Albert"
Mr. Beckett, please. Mr.. Jack Bick-
EFT"
There was click, and then a long
wait that seemed an eternity to me
crouched in the booth.
Suppose Jack were not there, /
would have no other opportunity to
telephone him.
felt that could not stand it If I
We're not able to talk with him before
ne left for the war. Never in nv life
had my brother cousin meant so much
to me as he did now that 1 faced the
prospect of losing him forever.
Why Jack Said "Nov When Masoa
Planned to See Him Sail.
Hello, this is Beckett
AS Jacks deep voice, with a trace of
huskiness which was SO familiar tn
me came over the wire 1 felt the HOT
tears sting my eyelids. This was per-
maps the last time in life 1 should
ever hear the voice of the cousin who
mad been more than a brother to me.
The knowledge OF what his loss wound
mean to me was enveloping me like
pail.
ooh, Jack!'' The words were moro
like cry than a greeting.
Margaret" / could hear his erasn
OF surprise. This is good 10 YOU.
dear, but are you sure it is wise?
Where are you 'phoning from? Your
homer"
mo. from drug store booth near
by"
That's all right" I heard him give
little sigh of relief. could not quite
fathom his reason for thinking me I'M
wise to telephone him. / knew, how
ever, that his objection was in some
way part of his general plan to pro-
tect me from any possible anger of
Dicky's by eliminating himself from
my life.
II suppose you received my letter"
His calm voice steadied me- / felt as
if had been on the verge of hysteria
ooh, yes, Jack, and I am SO upset
and miserable over it. l cannot let
you go over there. Why you may
never come backiY
Don't you ever think of it." His
voice was gay, bantering, but / who
had known his every tone and infIec-
ton since babyhood recognized the
strain beneath the gayety. 1t was ever
Jacks way to think of himself last.
III come back riding a charger up
Broadway, with a sword uplifted, and
Victoria crosses and Legions Of Hon
or spilIing all over the place. I'll see
that you get front seat on the re-
viewing stand and you can turn up
your nose and say. I knew him,
when.s"
Please, Jack, don't jest about it"
I was fighting hard to keep my voice
from betraying the tears which threat
ened to choke me every instant Tt is
awful your going this way. I feel So"
Listen, Margaret" Jacks voice held
a note of command. L know what's
troubling your tender heart most, and
I'm going to tell you that you're all
wrong. You feel that you're to blame
for my going. don't you?"
why. I'VE been so afraid ever since
I read your letter" I stammered
II thought so. Well. let me tell you
now that you had nothing to do with
it. You ought to know me well enough
to know how the dangerous unknown.
grips me. Its right in my blood And
my feelings have been intensely stirred
by my friend. Cailliard, with whom
am going.
Jack Bravely Refuses.
sOf course, Margaret" into his voice