The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-05-13
I'm drunk. Now Madse, you're mis-

ldheH. Livery Douy else at the party
except Lii and Harry and me are drunk.
And Lii and Harry they're just little
upset, but am all right. See here, I'll
tell you what to do. You just open this
door. and smell my breath. You
wouldn't think was drunk if you could
smell my breath just once"
The absurdity of this proposal, when
the whole room from which / had fled
seemed pervaded with the odor Of
spirits, appeared to strike even Dicky's
muddled understanding, for he finished
his appeal with distinct chuckle.
Good thing she didn't cover that
bet" he half whispered to himself as
still remained silent.
1 wondered what crazy proposal he
would utter next. Evidently he ap-
peared to be thinking things out. ]
heard him wandering about the room,
his stick striking against the chairs and
tables as he unsteadily passed between
them. Finally he came back to my
door again, and struck it violent
blow.
"See here. my lady," he said, harsh
ly, I'm not going to do any Bought
and Paid For stunt here, breaking IN
my wife's locked door. but I want to
know right now, are you going back to
LIS with Harry and me or not?'
II certainly am not" 1 made my
words as emphatic as possible. go
back yourself or go to bed, or do soma
thing besides standing outside that door
making a nuisance Of yourself"
The thought came to me that ny
voice and words were much the same
as a fishwife might use to her erring
spouse Truly, life with Dicky was rot
conducive to the preserving Of lifc's
little refinefnents.
1 braced myself for one Of Dicky's ex-
plosions of temper, but curiously
enough none came. Evidently liquor
made Dicky good -natured instead Of
ugly. He did not reply for minute or
two. Then he drew long sigh.
That's what man gets for trying
to be good fellow" he said mourn
fully. Feel awful sorry for little wife
sitting alone, leave nice lively party to
come after her, get door slammed IN my
face. That's fine, that is. Guess I'll do
this again. Yes? Mop"
"what'll ever say to old Harry" he
went on, "and that taxi driver, vince
ZEE that taxi driver, he'll have a nice
little fortune by the time ne gets
through with u.s."
He walkeds to the door of the living
room and I heard him open 1T. Then
his voice came back loud and less
clear across the two rooms:
"Good-by, little cross girl. I'm going
to have a real jag by the time see you
again.
The door closed. but I did not open
mine. I did not know what notion ne
would take next. He might come back
and bring Underwood with him.
pushed the dressing table and bed back
in their pIacesI really was heartily
Ashamed of the childish terror that had
made me push them against the door
and lay down to wait for whatever the
morning would bring me.
But I was not to remain uncontrolled,
however. The door had closed after
Dicky but a few minutes, when umhd
knock sounded on my door, and hearo
Katie's excited voice:
"Oh. Missis Graham, dear Misses
Graham, are you all rights"
quite all right, thank you, Kate.
Why are you out of bed?"
"Oh. please, Missis Graham, come
out here where / can see you. SO
scared for fear you scared at Meester
Graham. / shake in my bed. Please
come ont here" Katie's voice held a
threat of tears that did not care TO
disregard. had had scenes enough Tor
one night.
I unlocked my door and came out,
to be seized by Katie's warm hands.
Oh, I so glad you all right" she ex-
claimed, evidently treasured by my ap-
pearance, 81 SO 'fraid you scared OF
Meester Graham. You see, you no mar
ried long, maybe you never see heem
upset" Katie hesitated deicately-
before"
.eNo. Katie" I answered. Even II
had wished it, there was no resisting
Katie. She made her own rules OF con-
duct and then acted upon them.
.sHe no mean noting by dotS she
went on. He no drink much, not IKE
odder mems at the flat, but joost some
times. Den he always make so mooch
fun. He say such funny things when
he DRINK too much. / hear oheem to-
night I tink you not like 1t, you run
in room. I scared for you. SO gao
you all right.
.Thank You, Katie" replied. warned
NV the girls concern for me. thlnk
r will sit up for awhile. Go back to
bed and don't worry about me-.
me go back to bed, now? No, no..
returned Katie, vehemently. saw tnat
she had the appetite for excitement OF
any kind which her race, youth, and
temnerament demanded. She could
not sleep if she went back to bed l
knew. So she might as well stay up
with me. ~
Here, you cold" she exclaimed as
she saw me shiver. You SIT mere
queeck. I fix
She pushed me into the big chair IN
front of the gas CRATE, lighted the CRATE
and rushing into my bedroom seized
hIanket which she wrapped around me.
Then she went to the kitchen where !
heard her hurrying around as II me ana
death depended upon her haste. When
She came back, in an incredibly snort
time She bore in her hand cup of hot
tea.
..Dere. drink dot queeck, she COM
manded. You feel better den."
decided that Katie was worth