Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-06-28
BOOK II.
CHAPTER VIII
a DECLARATION OF INDEPEN-

still wearing the plain black gown and
the simplest OF hats. Nevertheless, she
looked charming. Her fresh complexion
with it's slight touch OF sunburn. her
wealth OF brown hair. and the distinc-
ton OF her carriage. made her every
where an object OF admiration in city
where the prevailing type OF beauty was
50 different
Poor motherI' she exclaimed. as they
crossed the Place de rOpera- Tell me,
was she very theatrical this morning.
Julien
julien smiled
Il am afraid I must admit that she
was he declared. L found her very
Interesting
7 hate TO talk about her" Anne con-
tfnued. lit makes one feel so unfilial,
but really she is the most wonderful
frnarionette that ever lived the perfect
life You see. I have been behind the
scenes so long Every now and then
IA little OF the woman's nature crops up.
Her cut 70 Mrs. Carraby. for instance,
was lutte enc OF the events Of the sea-
son II was 50 perfectly administered,
so utterly scathing. 1 hear that the poor
creature went to bed for fortnight
afterward. Gracious. I hope / am not
distressing you. Julien" she added
hastily.
Not in the least" Julien assured her
SrimIy. I have no interest in Mrs.
iCarraby."
Lady Anne sighed.
That's how you men talk when your
little feeling has evaporated- Julien
you're a selfish crowd You make the
world a very difficult place for
7 think he said. that your sex
avenges itself"
7 am not sure" she replied Men
50 often place the burden of their own
folIies upon woman's shoulders
you rebuke me rightly" Julien de-
cIared bitterly
him reproachfullv. L am sorry, Julien
should not have said that"
s.Tt was the truth" he confessed
-absoIutelv the truth. Still. 1 have
never blamed Mrs. Carraby for my dis
asters. II was my own asinllie sihpA-
city. Tell me. when shall see you
again. I think 1 ought to leave you
here"
We, want to know about my inter
v4ev with motherT Well. you shall
NOV All about that. ! promise you,
because I have changed my mind
fntend 10 make you an auditor Don
desert me Julien. please. Remember
this is really a trying moment TOT me
have
parent II friendship Is worth any 'illiie'
come and help me"
4 can't help thinking" he objected
shat your mother would rather talA
TO you alone"
.-Then you will please 70 consider me
ana not my mother" Anne insisted. as
they drew up before the door OF ule
hotel Il wish you 70 remain
IRE duchess received them perfectly.
she did not attempt anything emotion
al She simply held out both her
hands a little apart
you dear, sensible people!' she
cried. Anne. how dared you give US
such a shock"
mother.
going to marry Julien"
IRE duchess started The expression
which flashed from her eyes was IN
mistakably genuine
s.Don't talk nonsense. Anne!" she ex-
claimed sharply
-rCo nonsense about it." Anne retort-
ed. 7 can't bear 20 talk when any one
is standing UP. Sit down, and IN
Few sentences I'll let you know how
hopeless IL all is"
There was real fear in the duchess
eyes -
them
You fdiotic person. OF course there
Isn't Anne replied why on earth
should all talk about a man directly
girl breaks away for a time, can't
imagine Now sit down there and lis
ten brought Julien along because II
Won bully me too much / shall make
him take me away We are excellent
friends Julien and /. and he has been
very kind TO me since came here; but
- INF nd
u hadn't ] am quite sure that we might
have lived here for years and never
come across one another"
But / have told every one in Lon
don't" the duchess protested I have
explained everythingi I have told them
how you always loved Julien. what
terrible blow his troubles were, and
how you suddenly found that it was
impossible for you 10 marry any other
man. and like a dear. romantic child
that you are, you ran away TO him.
Yes" Lady Anne said dryly, that's
q very pretty story. That's just what
i imagined you would tell everybody
when you knew that I'd come here
That is Just" she continued slowly,
what you have been rubbing into poor
Julien this morning before he came to
see me. Very well, mother. up 10 a GER
tain point IL came OF. you see. Julien
called most dutifully. found me sitting
tn an attic-'attic' IS the correct word,
Isn't it2-and made his declaration. No,
i don't think he declared anything. on
1he second thoughts. He effectually
concealed any feelings he might have
had. II was 9 suggestion which he
made"
NY manner OF expressing myself,
Julien began a little stinly-
your manner OF expressing yourself
was perfect" Anne interrupted. 1T
was a great deal too perfect. my preux
chevalier. Only you see, julien, only
you see mother. Julien offered me
exactly what i left home TO escape
from / have come TO the conclusion"
she went on. smoothing her skirt about
her knees. that II is most indecent and
wholly improper even 70 think Of mar
tying a man who does not love you and
whom you do not love"
The Duchess closed her eyes
Anne. what have you been readingy'
she murmured.
Not a thing Anne went on. u
kever did read half enough. I'm simply
acting by instinct. Julien and / were
engaged for three months. and at the
end OF that time we were complete
Htrangers The idea Of marrying a
stranger was not attractive 10 me Let