Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-06

He looked up. his glance keen and
speculative. II wonder that that didn't
warn me what you were" he said.
She paused beside him. ana asked
sharply: What do you mean"
That streak OF coarseness in you,
he said earnestly. absorbed in an analy-
sis that interested him so thoroughly
for the moment that his attitude toward
it's subject was wholly impersonal. Il
used 10 notice lit Jared; and won
dered about Il. wondered how you could
be TWO women at once: the one L loved.
the actress with Intelligence enough 20
ape the woman or delicate sentiment
and constituencies. and the other woman,
crude enough TO suggest things such as
YOU said Just nov-even In anger. That
should have shown me what YOU were
at heart-but. Lord 7 was infatuated,
ulind!"
Well" she said harshIy. you've got
your eyes open now. haven't your"
lie nodded listlessly. What do you
want?' he asked after a span OF ST
lence, while the woman continued to
move quickly 10 and fro, her eyes ap-
praising the change that had come to
pass in the room since last she had seen
il. Il presume you're after some
thing"
Just now" she returned lightly. I'm
after a cigarette
Il think you'll find some over there
on the table"
She swung away to the farther side Of
the room and for moment stood with
her back TO him. Then she struck a
match, touched it 20 the cigarette be-
tween her full, crimson lips. and return
ed. putting.
ssTbotsc
pretty poor stun for you to smoke,
Bruce She threw the cigarette away
with little moue of disgust whats
become of your desk?"'
Sold" he said.
land the rest of the things-your
rugs?"
sold he iterated in the same unin-
terested voice.
Hmm =" She began to move
back and forth again. restlessly. There
is q paper on your door-did you see
it?"
This. morning" he said; my land
lords gentle way Of suggesting he'd pre-
Ter my room TO my tenancy
"DispOssess nOtiCe-what?'
Yes"
And all because of me-" She laughed
affectedly How romantic. how touch
ingl He's going to the bow-wows be-
cause of a woman, Or are your She
paused, swaying. before him. Are you
going to the dogs on my account
Bruce?"
He shook his head. NO" he return
ed: II daresay i might have, IL I'd had
a taste for drink. That would have
killed thought. As it was, my mind re-
NAMED clear enough for me to think,
to understand a little just how worthless
a thing you were. You aren't worth
mans damnstion, Lefty"
But" she argued, puzzled, you are
going downhill, you know. You've let go
people are forgetting YOU"
I'm working out my cure i'm my own
way" he said "If I'd been making mon
ey all this time there might have been
the temptation -
ITO try TO buy me back, Bruce?
He said nothing She considered bnet-
Iv. then came aud stood near to him.
What" she purred gently-'what IL
had come 10 tell you I'd found out
my mistake. Bruce?'
Startled he lifted his head, his glance
meeting her eyes in mute inquiry. Sne
smiled slowly down upon him.
what" she went on in her silken ac-
cents. Jff I wanted you to take me
back?" ,,.,t-
dis eyes GAOuueu anu NN- - -
GOOD Lord he exclaimed IN utter
7,ss,,~, and rising, moved away.
Presently. from the open window
where he stood with an elbow against
the frame. his gaze wandering primary
tbrougb the gulf OF darkness that
vaUFned below, he resumed; NO, u.
not down Only I've had my taste OF
holl tbis mast year. 1t took time TO
Get over that. and regain my beiieL
in right and deoepcy and the worth u
work. I'm not wholly sound, even YET
but it's coming. 1t won't take forever
I'll come back. -.
There's woman in this. SAID MS
wife from the room behind him:
mo
There sure IS" she insisted.
guess L know men well enough :.
who is she? That kid you were with
tonight? She's good looking; L al
ways said IT would take good looking
woman to make you forget me.
you're mistaken" he said quietly
"And it's getting late and l want sleep
Can't YOU come to the point and go?
ssyvbo was she?" queried the actress,
ignoring his attitude. I'm curious
ssNo one you'd know-or understand
he said impatiently.
We'll. then. the man with you; VINO
was he?"
calls himself Rhode. If thatl salts
~ YOU" Crittenden lounged away
from the window, irritated rs that
an2"
DeIicately. shielding her mouth with a
dainty jeweled hand Lefty yawned. 1t
Is late" she conceded. I'm getting
tired. If YOU must know, Bruce" She
flashed a dazzling, hooking smile at
him Don't YOU carer
In the depths of his impotence and
contempt, he was dumb.
Dear me, is it really as bad as that?
Have YOU actually grown so cold TO me-
Bruce? Have you nothing to say to
me? Not a word. not a sign of en-
couragement to offer the erring spouse?
Think"
what did you come here for2" he
demanded in evaporation.
simply to see you, Bruce. That
glimpse L had of you-wel. 1t startled
me. couldn't forget it. You've no
Idea hoy seedy you look couldn
rest for thinking about you, after Ia
got home. Remorse-"
Damn your emotions" he cried. IF
you weren't dead to every decent one
you'd end this and get out
Again she yawned fastidiously. How
rude,~ she ieered How awfully rude.
You have changed, Bruce Very
we'll" She gathered up her wrap and
turned toward the door. You'll be sorry
some day. See il vou aren't. I'm going
"a be SORRY right away; I daresay IN
have the deuce OF a taxi bill to pay,
all for the pleasure OF this interview"
anrae saff