Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-06
EIGHTEENTH CHAPTER.

a FTER my mothers death there
~ was no place left for me in
my fathers house,
Betsy Beauty (who was now called
Miss eBtsy and gave herself more
than ever the airs Of the dadshte-
Of the family) occupied half her days
with tine governess who had been en-
gagged to teach her. and the othei
half in driving, dressed in beautiful
clothes, to the houses of the gentry
rounda bout.
Messy Macleod, called the yonna
mistress, had become my father g
secretary, and spent most Of her tim
IN his private room, privilege
which enlarged her pride withou,
improving her manners.
Martin Conrad / did not see, for ~
reward for some success at schoo
the doctor had allowed him to spen
his Easter holidays in London ~
order TO look at Nansen's ship, IN
Fran, which had just then arrive
In the Thames.
Hence it happened that though
home made a certain tug at me,
with It's familiar sights and SCUM Il
and more than once | turned WITH
timid steps toward my fathers busy
room, intending TO say Please,
father. don't send me back u
school," | made no demur when, six
or seven days after the funeral, Aunt
Bridget began to prepare for my de-
parture,
There's odds Of women" said
Tommy the Mate, when ! went Into
the garden TO say good-by TO him
They're like Sleeps broth Is won
men. II there's head and heart IN
them they're good, and II there ism {
YOU might as well be supping no.
water Our Big Woman is not water
but she'll die for all
Within A fortnight | was back a.
the Convent, and there the ReVeren
Mother atoned to me for every neg
! lect
| Il knew you would come back
me-" she said. and from that horl
| onward she seemed to be trying I,
| make up to me for the mother / hat
| lost.
became deeply devoted to her
As a consequence her spirit became
my spirit, and, little by little, tbs
religious side OF the life Of the Con-
vent took complete possession OF me
Years &c BY.
At first | loved the church and us
services because the Reverend Mother
loved them. and perhaps also for the
sake OF the music, the incense, the
flowers and the lights on the altar,
but after had taken my communion
the mysteries of our religion took
hold OF me-the Confessional with i;a
sense OF cleansing and the unutter-
able sweetness OF the Mass.
For a long time there was nothing
To disturb this religious side Of my
mind My father never sent for me
and as often as the holidays came
round the Reverend Mother took me
with her to her country home al
Nemi.
That was beautiful place-a sweet
white cottage some twenty kilome'
ters from Rome at the foot of Monte
Cave. in the middle OF the remains
Il a medieval village which contained
4 castle and monastery, and had q
ittle blue lake lying like an emerald
omong the green and red of the gras,
and peoples in the valley below.
In the hot months OF summer the
place was like Paradise TO mo, witt
| It's roses growing wild by the way
side: it's green lizards running on the
| rocks, it's brown faced boys in vel
vet, and it's gleesome girls in smarl
red pettieoats and gorgeous outside
stays, its shrines and Its blazing sun
sets, which seemed 10 girdle the heav'
ems with quiverlng bands of purple
end gold,
! Years went by without me beins
aware of their going, for after while
| | became entirely happy
| happl fFaB1ayotlN from home &c
! casionaliv il was from Betsy Beauty
! who had not much to say beyond sto'
ries of balls at Government House
| where she had danced with the youns
| Lord Raa and OF hunts at which she
| had ridden with him More rarely 4
was from Aunt Bridget who usually
| began by complaining of the ever-in'
| Creasing cost OF my convent clothes
| ana ended with accounts Of hel
| daughters last new costume and how
well she looked In IT,
| From Messy Macleod and my faith,
err | never heard at all but Fathe'
| Dan was my constant correspondent
| and he told me everything.
| First Of my father himself--that h'
| had carried out many Of his great en-,
| terprises, his marine works electric
| railways, drinking and dancing pal
|
sands of visitors and hundreds o
| thousands Of pounds to ELAN, though
| the good Father doubted the advan'
| tage of such innovations and lament.
! cd the decline OF piety which had fol
! lowed on the lust for wealth.
Next of Aunt Bridget she wa'
| bringing up her daughter in the way;
| OF worldly vanity and chershing 1
serpent IN her bosom (meaning Messy
| Macleod who would poison he
heart some day.
Letter From Home.
Next Of Tommy the Hdte-thst b,
| sent his best respec's' to the III
/ missy" hut thought she was well ou
! af the Nay Of the BIG Woman Wh,
was getting that highly thai
YOU couldn't say Tom 10 q eat be.
/ fore her but She was agate of you &
| make II Thomas