The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-05-14

bands?" Purposely I made my voice
as gay as possible. They were here
q few moments ago, that is, Mr.. Ora
ham came upstairs and said Mr.. I'm
/ derwood was in the taxicab below, but
they went away again. I think they
iare on their way back to your house,
lat least Dicky announced his inten-
ton of acquiring a real jag by the
time he came home, so suppose you
will see him soon.'
| If anyone had told me a week ago
that I would ever be guilty of giving
another woman a spiteful little jab
such as the one hidden in my last re-
mark, I would have said the idea was
preposterous. am afraid my mental
and moral fibre is getting a bit warped
these days. l do not recognize some
Of the impulses that come to me.
But Mrs. Underwood appeared
smoothly unconscious of any hidden
meaning in my words. She countered
easily:
ooh, am so sorry they came there
and awakened you. They had been
threatening to do it for an hour be-
fore they went, but I kept an eye on
them. Then some new people came in,
and in greeting them I lost sight Of
Dicky and Harry for minute. When
turned to where I had left them,
they had gone. I wouldn't have had
this happen for worlds. Were they
much under the weather when they
reached your house, and were you
frightened"
n T ayr 90 h4
plished evader of the truth. I flatter
myself my voice did not hold single
tremor as 1 answered.
"Why, you see, didn't see Mr.. Un-
derwood at all, so I don't know what
silly to be frightened by ones husband,
wouldn't it? Besides, I didn't notice
anything about Dicky except that he
was in unusually light spirits and de-
termined that I should return with
them. And I think he was trifle
annoyed because I refused. Then he
went away"
How long ago did they leave?" Lii
lian's voice held note of sharpness.
."Oh, perhaps 20 minutes or less" I
replied.
They could have been back in five.
them, they are such reckless scatter
brains when they are together"
felt something clutch at my heart.
This woman might simply be paying
me back in my own coin, this might
be only little stinging dart which
she meant should stick in my brain,
but 1 did not think so. 1 have her
an unwilling mental tribute. She SEEM
ed too big woman to tighten another
woman needlessly. Besides, her voice
held real anxiety.
Ny common sense told me that of all
the silly things in the world this wor-
rying over a few minutes unexplained
delay of, two full-grown men was the
silliest. But here was Lillian Gale,
experienced woman of the world, plain
ly anxious, while I, who had always
prided myself upon my poise, was
really frightened. But I made up my
mind that Mrs. Underwood should
never guess / was disturbed.
ooh, I am sure they are perfectly
all right,"'I said lightly. They are
certainly big enough and old enough to
take care of themselves"
They are nothing but overgrown
boys, both of them, with not a morsel
of common sense to divide between
them" retorted Lillian Gale, acidly,
"but unfortunately there is nothing
we can do. BY the way, if they turn
up there again before morning, or you
hear from them, would you mind tele-
phoning me, and if they come back
here, I'll phone you, of course pro-
viding you want me to, do So"
My pride urged me to say that 1T
would be unnecessary for her to let
me know anything about the wan |
derers, but instead I found myself
saying:
"rhank you, shall be glad to do
as you suggest"
"All right, then. Try to get some !
Sleep" and a click told me that she
had hung up the receiver. !
The irony of her parting admonition
made me smile Sleep, indeed. with !:
the prospect Of telephone calls. the
chance Of another visit from Dicky
and his companion, and the anxiety
which she had given me concerning
their safety.
I heard Katie rafting dishes in the /
kitchen, and went out there idly Gu
rious..
..What are you doing Katie?" asked.
Getting ready for Meester Graham,
when he come home" she >rephed.
See I get teakettle full of hot water,
nut heem-on little burn" she indi-
Gated the small warming burner of
the gas range put coffee with lit
tie cold water in pot. let heem soak
till Meester Graham come, den make
strong black coffee queeck as 1 can,
give Meester Graham, for he will feel
90 seeck." Katie spread her hands
where did you learn all thls' kaue!
The question slipped out before
could check 1t. I really did not mean
to question servant concerning her
proficiency in caring for mornings !,
after" but Katie was only TOO glad
10, air her knowledge.
ooh. when I keep house for Meester
era ham and dose odder men. Meester
1raham he not so mooch. but some
lime once. twice each week when
come in de morning Meester AtWooo
,r de odders, dey come in after DO,
- seeck and 1 feex black coffee for