The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-05-15

derstood even through the returning
! anguish at Dicky's terrible news which
was possessing me with returning con.
seriousness.
He believed that my feeling for my
| brother Jack Beckett. was II
| deeper one than that which I had al
| ways professed a sisterly love for the
only near relative I had in the world.
This was the reason for his sudden
passionate embrace of me when he en-
tered the house, his demand that I tell
| him / loved him better than anybody
| in the world Or out of it,
He had been Jealous Of Jack living,
he would still be jealous of him dead,
But as the realization again swept
over me that~Jack, steadfast, manly
Jack, the only near relative l had, wa9
no longer in the same world with me,
that never again would I see his kind
eyes, hear his deep, earnest voice, al
thoughts of anything else but my loss
fled from me, and gave little
moan.
"All Right Now?"
I felt Dicky's arm which was around
my shoulders shrink away instructive
ly, then tighten again. He turned m
face against his shoulder, and, gath
ering me in his arms, lifted me from
the couch.
ooh, Dicky, I am sure can walk,
I protested family.
He stopped and looked at me fixedly
"Don't you want my arms around
your" he asked, and there was thai
in his voice which made me answer
hastily:
"Of course I do, but am afraid
am too heavy"
Let me be the judge of that" h.
returned sternly, and forthwith carried
me up the stairs, down the hail. ami
laid me on the bed in my own bed
room. His face was flushed when Ii.
put me down, and he was breathin-
hard, for while am slender, I am No
tiny in. any sense of the word, ami
Dicky has not the physique which
would make Harry Underwood for in
stance, consider my weight the merest
trifle. But there was a look Of some
thing very akin to triumph in his eyes
as they met mine. Then he turned to
Katie.
you may go downstairs, Katie" he
said. Il see you have spread out Mr.
Graham's night things, and I do not
think that she will need you again.
But I would like you to remain up for
another hour in case she should want
you
II no close my eyes dis night till
know she go sleep all right" Katie
murmured rebelliously.
THAT is very good Of you, Katie"
Dicky returned, land I will come my
self and tell you when Mrs. Graham
is asleep"
Katie tiptoed over to me as I lay on
the bed, and raising my hand kissed It.
I felt the girls hot tears on my fingers.
but I felt too weak and numbed to 90
more than smile at her, and she went
out sobbing.
Dicky closed the door after her, and
taking from the table the flask and
spoon which Katie had brought UP
with her, he poured out another tea
spoonful of the brandy and came over
to me.
ITO please me. sweetheart" he SAID
tenderly. and I obediently swallov
the stuff.
Nov you must get that wet gown
off," he said practically. "Katie emp
tied nearly a gallon of water over you
in her fright"
He smiled constrainedly. and I made
a brave effort to return the smile. But
I could not accomplish it. Indeed, I
was glad to be able to keep back the
tears, which I knew instinctiycly would
hurt him.
He undressed me as tenderly as Z
woman could have done, and wrapping
a warm bathrobe over my nightdress'
for / was shivering as if from a chill.
tucked me in between the blankets OF
my bed. Then he drew chair TO the
bedside and sat down.
"Are you sure you IRE all right
now?" he asked. "Your color IS COM
ing back
Perfectly sure" I returned, land
am so sorry to have made you so mnea
trouble"
Don't say that" he returned a L-
sharply. ut is so meaningless. e,'
me, do you wish me to remain VII
you. or would you rather be alone
awhile?"