The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-06-01
How Allen Drake Managed Their
Meeting

My own face shocked me as / looked
at It. Ny eyes were strained with
excitement, and had great circles un-
der them, two hectic spots like badly
put on rouge blazed upon my cheeks,
and / had unconsciously bitten my
lips until there was a tiny fleck of
blood on one Of them.
A tip to the maid, an rugent word,
brought me towels and rice powder. l
hurriendly bathed my face, dried it,
busted 1t with rice powder, and, en-
couraged by the Improvement in my
appearance, made tremendous effort
to pull myself together as I walked
upstairs, carrying my travelling bag
and Katherine's knitting bag in my
hand
had need OF all my poise. Allen
Drake was in the appointed place. but
laughing up into his face and talking
TO him as though she meant to remain
there for the rest of the evening. was
Grace Draper.
MY cheeks burn with morttficatior
whenever think Of the unreasoning
panic which seized me at the sight of
grace Draper chatting with Allen Drake.
ROW II was that 1 didn't turn ignomi
nlousiy and dart back through the rom-
en- waiting room to the shelter or the
laVatory room below from which had
just come have no idea, for that was
the impulse which first came to me.
shaH always have a f-superstftious
belief that Lillian in her home was nv
some curious process of telepathy pro
Jecting her own poise and strength of
purpose into my sub-conscious mind.
For with ouly the one casual glance
and pause so slight that no one could
possibly notice anything unusual about
1t, started toward the information
desk. Ny route led me almost directly
past the spot where Miss Draper and
Mr.. Drake were standing. and as I near
ed them l heard a well stimulated ex-
preston of surprise from Allen Drake,
and an answering exclamation of genu-
inc establishment from the. girl at his
side. The next moment he was barring
my path, his hand outstretched
Wei, Mrs. Graham!" he said in the
suave modulated tones 1 remembered SO
well. this is indeed a pleasant surprise.
I haven't seen YOU since you and your
husband so graciously entertained me at
your home. made my bread and butter
call. really, but you were not at home"
Yes. I found your card" I returned,
my heart in my mouth. my eyes fixed on
his.
Grace Draper Smiles
Here was the emergency had dreaded
OF which Lillian had warned me- Allen
Drake would be compelled to give me
my directions hidden in apparently COM
sentences. l must be on the
alert to recognize his meaning from the
glance OF his eye, the most inconsequent
of his words.
But Lillian had feared only casual
passerby. Neither her apprehension nor
mine had pictured my trying to grasp
cryptic message with Grace Diapers
keen brain. sharpened by her malignant
hatred of me, cognizant OF every word
and glance.
81 am doubtly lucky tonight" Mr..
Drake went on suavely. 1T isn't often
a man stumbles upon two charming
feminine acquaintances inside OF five
minutes. May present Miss Draper,
Mrs. Graham?.'
It was Grace Draper who first grasped
the reins OF the situation.
ooh, Mrs. Graham and I are old
friends" she said, and only slightly
metallic not IN her voice. a harshness of
her eyes behind her flashing smile be-
trayed to me her real feeling. But II
also have not seen her in ages. Where
have you been keeping YOURSELF"
There was nothing for me to do but tol
follow her lead.
II have been keeping rather closely at
home" / replied in as conventional a
tone as I could manage. Mr.. Graham's
mother hasn't been well for a long time,
and a few weeks ago she fractured her
arm, which, of course, has kept US all
busy
A Cryptic Cue?
How very sadF' Miss Draper muir
INJURED, and Mr. Drake echoed her ex-
clamation, following it with the careless
query:
You're on your way home now, I sup
pose?"
His manner OF making the assertion
gave me the idea that here was a cue
must follow. Ny voice matched his in
carIessness as I answered
yes. expect to take the next train,
out"
Mr.. Drake pulled out his watch and
consulted 1t.
when does your train go3"