The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-06-18

some idea Of our conversation to any
listener.
had barely resumed my seat al
Mother Graham's bedside. however
when there was a furtive turning OF
the knob, followed after a moments
pause, BY an imperious knocking.
It's al ridiculous nonsense" She
said at last, "but no one shall ever
have the opportunity 70 accuse me OF
injustice. You have asked me to listen
to your explanation. I give you my
pledge that I viii repeat 40 word OF Il
10 anyone. But 1 warn you Margaret,
that II win have TO be an unusual ex-
: PLANTATION II it wipes out the memory
| or your refusal to take care OF me"
The quiet amusement with which I
listened to the first part Of her little
speech, and my admiration Of the clev-
er manner in which she had disguised
her curiosity, her real reason for lis
ttening 70 me, were blotted from my
consciousness by the concentrated ran
cor Of her last words. Evidently my
refusal to nurse her had hurt and an
gered her more bitterly than had
guessed.
1t is an unusual one" I answered
quietly. and then, without any more
lpreliminaries, told her Of my connec-
ton with the secret work under LIZ
Ian.
I was astounded at the result. In
lcredulity, followed by relief and joy
flashed over her face. and her eyes
sparkIed with excitement She sat uD
| in bed so suddenly that / feared she
had injured her broken arm, but at tay
II -
toward her she put out her other hand
lprotestingIy.
What Mother Graham Promised Madss
Ny mother-ln-law smiled up az me as
the imperative tattoo sounded upon her
bedroom door. There was a twinkle in
her eyes that in any other woman
would have called impish. But it seemed
almost an irreverent term to apply 20
my august mother-in-law.
Agatha on the warpath" she whis-
pered. LET her IN and just leave her
| TO me-"
went to the door. turned the key in
the lock and opened the door. Cousin
Agatha swept in with no trace Of her
customary meek craftiness about her.
She was evidently too wrought up 70
preserve her usual Uriah Heep pose. She
/ shot an insolent glance at me as she
entered.
so it's you, IS it," she snapped. ana
then she went on 70 my mother-ln-law's
couch.
"since when. Harriet she demanded.
truculently, lam I barred out Of your
room, and only admitted at the say-so
Of
"sit down, Agatha" my mother-in-law
advised coolly. land try to save your
breath. You're wasting a great deal Of
II"
Her kiAswoman gasped swallowed. and
then eva ently by a tremendous EFFORT
put all trace Of her indignation aside.
and assumed once more her usual mar
tyred pose have never seen one per-
son able to COW another SO completely
as Mother Graham subdues Cousin Aga
tina.
DON'T BE A FOOL"
I'm sorry II I annoyed YOU" she said.
shifting, but It did seem hard. after an
my faithful care OF you to be locked out
OF your room by a woman who doesn't
do a thing for you" Even her assump-
ton OF humility couldn't keep the snarI
out Of her voice when she referred 70
me-
you know how" my mother-in-law said.
tsrtly-fts fayorite admonition OF hers
when she's annoyed I told Margaret
to lock the door myself. And I'm going
to ask her to lock It again as soon as
you've finished whatever you have TO gay.
have matters to discuss with her that
lie only between her and me"
A brick red flush crept up over tho
other woman's face. She shot one venom
tipped glance at me, then lowered her
lids discreetly again.
Perhaps you want 70 lock the door
behind me permanently. Harriet" she
said with an attempt at pathos, and an
application OF her handkerchief TO her
eyes.
"oH. MARGARET! MARGARETP'
II haven't thought Of f." my mother
in-Iaw replied, but I certainly shall con-
slider It II you annoy me with any more
OF your nonsense. For heavens sakeg
her voice grew raucous--"come to your
senses, Agatha! You know we all appre-
ciate and are grateful for your care Of
me-you're about the best nurse in the
world-but the way you weep and sniffs
around, and your absurd Jealousy are
enough 70 set anybody Wild. Now 60 to
your room and lie down. You need a
rest and Margaret and I haven't fin
shed our talk"
Cousin Agatha rose without another
word, and walked out Of the room. Her
gait and manner were fairly sheep-lika,
but the glance she gave me as she went
through the door had the cold glitter -
4 cobra's eye in It. As / closed and
ocked the door after her I couldn't re-
press a little sbudder. I knew that the
malicious old woman would try to exact
hull payment from me for the humiliation
she had just suffered IN my presence.
Thank goodness!" my mother-fn-laTe
calculated. Now come back here be-
Tide me and tell me everything you can"
obeyed her, and she listened greedlly
o every word. When had finished her
syes were fairly dancing with interest.
You won't have any further trouble
lbout getting away from home she
Now that know what's up
rH help you all can. I'll be proud and