Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-07-26

Wall till you hear" he interrupted.
rive got a. scheme sure enough
scheme. 1t isn't every day one strikes
a streak OF pay luck as I have today.
Honestly. IT looks good 10 me; there
really isn't any question about my
ability to get away with II. And nat
uraily 1 want to celebrate a bit. Now,
you know a fellow can't celebrate prop
erly all by his lonesome Can her
His open. friendly. and frank smile
left her little foothold for resentment.
Cynthia could not but smile family in
return. But she shook her head.
Really"
-oh. nor he protested with a very
winning. boyish Impotence. Don't
say no till you think il over. Remem-
Der were in much the same boati at
least you've said enough 10 lead me to
believe we are; and we both would be
the better for a little change We need
10 get out OF this-thfs heat and misery,
and all that-and play like sane people
and-forget- But there's no forgetting.
ana no good playing. when you've no
one 10 talk 10 and play with. That's no
fun at all Why not come with me.
just for this afternoon-scme place
where no one can see the sky. where
there's clean sand underfoot instead OF
dusty pavements. where there are
waves 10 watch and listen TO and clean
air 70 breathe2 Please don't shake
your head like that 1t isn't as IL We
were utter strangers; people who lunch
at the same restaurant every day for
q couple Of months ought 70 know one
Jnother, even IL they DON'T Come
alongg Let's pretend were old friends
with nothing TO discuss. no memories
20 dissect nothing to do but take a
day or from the fret and worry Of
things DO say yes-It'n be awfully
good OF YOU"
She withheld her decision only a min
ute, while she regarded him openly with
clear. thoughtful eyes. Strongly the sug-
gestion tempted. She wanted TO accept
she needed to so. badly. And why not?
Only the habits OF convention stood
between her and a few hours Of hap
piness-or II not happiness. at least for
getfuIness. And what was convention to
such as they, hapless wanderers astray
in the battling maze OF things2
six years OF existence in European
pensions had not left her without bal
ance OF experience in which to weigh
men. and he who stood before her.
awaiting her answer with his face glow
ing with enthusiasm in his plan and con-
fdence that she would consent, deceived
her greatly. IL he were not sound and
worthy OF the little trust and tolerance
he asked. Nor had those years left her
wanting in self-knoviedge; she was
woman. OF - and could care for her
self. Then why not humor his wish
and accept this boon the gods Offered
herr
Crittenden read the answer in her eyes
before she could utter IL.
you WIFI That's fine of you
MATT She checked him. hut with
reaSsuring smile. "one question
Name it
-.~Csn you-afford this. Mr.. Crittenden?"
-Of course 1 can. I'm good distance
from the end of my tether. really; could
hold on for months yet. IL 1 had 10.
But / won't have 10. Ina day or two III
be independent"
Then one condition. the one you
yourself suggested. We're to pretend
we've known one another since ever
40 long, we'll have. no questions TO
ask. no memories to dissect-as you said
no plans for the future. Today mus
be a day apart. a day that somehow
nnysteriously managed to slip In between
Yesterday and tomorrow, and so VII
aHp out. leaving no trace Of itself-no'
so much as the ghost OF memory II
that agreedF' ~ress
certainly IT isl he assepted gaily