The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-10-17

/ upon me. This paying Of servants. this
/ furtive espionage was not In keeping
| with the high resolve that had led the
mother to keep her word" to the man
who had ruined her life. And yet
| and yet dared not judge her. In
her place I could not imagine what
would have done.
One thing knew. Never again
would | doubt Lillian Underwood. The
ghost Of the past romance between my
| husband and the woman before mo
was laid for all time. never TO trouble
me again. Remembering the sacrifice
she had made for Dicl6y. considering
the gallant fight against circumstances
she had waged since her girlhood, /
felt suddenly unworthy of the friend,
ship she had SO warmly offered me.
/ turned to her, trying to find
words which should fitting express my
sentiments, but she forestalled me
with a Kaleidoscope change OF manner
that bewildered me.
Enough OF horrors" she said,
springing up and giving a little ex-
pressive shake OF her shoulders as If
she were. throwing a weight from
them" I'm going to give you some
luncheon"
ooh, pleased" put up protesting
hand, but Mrs. Underwood was across
the room and pressing a bell before
could stop her.
I thought 1 understood. The grave
Of her past life was closed again. She
had opened It because she wished me
to know the truth concerning the Old
garbled stories about her self ard
Dicky. Having told me everything,
she had pushed the grisly thing back
into its sepulchre again and had sealed
II. She would not refer to II again.
One thing puzzled me. something to
which she had not referred-why had
she married Harry Underwood? Why.
after the terrible experience OF her
first marriage, had she isked linking
her life with an unstable creature like
the man who was now her husband?
1 put ell questionings aside. how
ever, and tried TO meet her brave, gay
mood.
Il believe you are in a conspiracy
with Katie to fatten me- said. "Shs
insisted on my eating ust twice the
amount Of breakfast needed, and here
you are planning 70 tempt me again"
Thank your stars you don't have to
bant." she returned. "Ah, here's Betty
Row." as a knock sounded upon the
door.
She crossed to the door with a SWIFT
graceful movement, drew back the
heavy velvet curtains, unlocked and
drew open the door.
Strikes me yoh aIFs mighty secret
wifi yohr locked doors and curtains"
doomed Betty. There was q smile on
her broad face, but her resentfu1 eyes
betrayed the fact that she had been
listening behind the barred doors, aad
had been unable TO hear anything.
Better luck next time. Betty" LIZ
Ian answered carelessIy. flashing a
glance at me. Il sent for
you to tell you would like Iuncheoa
served up here by the fire."
'Yoh'd better think again, Miss LII
Iian," Betty's tone held impertinencs
but excitement and anxiety as well.
"Yoh knows dat smothered chicken
and creamed cauliflower OBJ mine needs
to come straight from the fire 10 the
table. 1t wouldn't be fit for a cat by
the time I'd get It clar up here. Be-
sides, I got the table in the dining
room all set and ready. amt goin'
to tear eberyting up and bring it up
here"
"Oh, have IL your own way, Betty
Lillian returned YEARLY. How Ion@
before luncheon"
"Jes about IS minutes"
Betty vanished and I tried % -
ceal my amazement at the attitude
Lillian allowed the woman. I know
Betty was a privileged character, but
this weak yielding Of Mrs. Underwood
10 her whims seemed to me to be the
extreme limit OF indulgence.
Continued tomorrowl