Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-02
Seeking a Hus-
band
By CONSTANCE CLARKE

"O-DAY was my birthday, And ,
think things are so very strange
in this big, wonderful world
Dick sent me gift, actually sent m.
something 1 had been wanting for a1sz
too, and debated such long tina
about keeping 1t after the way I had
treated him.
You see, Dick didn't know how ha
was acting at the time. A man is such
a funny thing and Dick has been
brought up to regard women as inferior.
He has always treated his mother and
sisters as though they could never de-
eide things for themselves, and I sun.
pose his wife will have the same thing
to look forward to- But I'm not going
to be his wife. although I did keep tho
pink coral set. had 1t on when tina
bell rang about o'clock and I was
curled up in mothers room on the couch
with a bad headache when Mary cana
up and told me Dick was here start
ed up and my head throbbed warntnely
and then I flew over to the mirror ia
see II looked well enough to go down.
My cheeks were very pink, and nv
eyes looked dark. due to the headache.
but, of course, he would never know
that. I pulled the pink coral earrings
down q little lower, fuffed up my hair.
and then went down to the library as
calmly as though Jack had run In to
call, Jack had sent me five pounds OF
candied fruits and I think they had
something to do with my headache.
Dick was in one of the big leather
chairs and l came in so softly he didn't
hear me. Then I said, Hello, Dick
Morris; weren't you nice to come and
see me on my birthday"
why, you have grown a mustache,"
I gasped, as he jumped up and turned
around. Just think how long 1t is
since I've seen YOU. Did you have a
nice trip abroad?'
Yes, but 1 got home for your birth
day. Peggy. and 1 hoped you would
forgive me If brought the corals'
They're adorable" 1 conceded, but,
Dick, we never quarreled, so there's
really nothing to forgive. Let's forget
about 1t, and do tell me where you got
them"
There's a story attached to them"
he said, grinning The incest thing
about Dick is his grin; there is some
thing so sheepish about it, like little
boy caught stealing jam. 1 will insist
that men are all grown-up boys, and
the more boyish they are the more I
like them.
What kind of a story" I asked
eagerly, conscious of the fact that I
mirror opposite and wondering if Dick
noticed how the pink of the corals
around my throat and the tiny pink
drops in my ears brought out the faint
flush in my cheeks.
II bought them in Venice" he said
slowly, and they belonged to a youn
Italian girl of very high lineage, TIL
story goes that they win bring great
luck to the one who wears them if"
he stopped:
''If they are put on by the one who
has purchased them"
THAT means that you must put them
on me YOURSELF" l queried, hastily slip
ping off the necklace and unfastening
the earrings.
Exactly" he said lightly. And then
we both stood up under the big center
light, and I felt like a story book hero
inc.
Dick fastened the corals around my
throat, and then pushed back the hair
from my ears for him to fasten on the
earrings. AS l stood with my back to
him for minute, happened to look
In the glass. and Dick was holding the
earrings against his mouth. I turned
quickly.
"Why did you do that?' I had never
known Dick to be the least bit senti-
mental.
1T belongs to the story" he said,
little unsteadily.
"Well, why didn't you tell me so?'
went on. II think 1t is a perfectly
fascinating idea" Then he fastened
them on. and his fingers trembled so
that he bungled dreadfully.
Dick has grown very serious since he
went abroad. Do you know, I don't be
lieve he told me the truth about those
cnralsS