Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-28

a" NE SeGOuu uAA OF EAODSAA = dD-
sence Harper Carleton called He
- had been away on business. he
told me. which accounted for my not
seeing him.
He was shocked when. in explana-
tion Of my tired looks. 1 told hir, Of
little Betty's accident.
I knew you would be brave" he
said.
oh. but 1 wasn't; il was Robert!"
exclaimed Just the minute Betty
was safety in his arms and 1 had
bIindly obeyed the orders to roll on
the rug. tainted like a silly scnool
girl"
II notice you didn't faint until it was
perfectly safe to do So" he laughed.
and you cant make me believe you
weren't very courageous"
found myself listening to this
mans praise with pleasure 1 was
young. dependent on love and under
standing. II was inevitable that L
should in a way answer TO the de-
mands of his feeling for me. But L
was not vet consciously seeking love-
simply understanding. and companion
ship. That I imagined I had found IL
in Harper Cartoons avowed friendship
for me is not strange.
I laughingly dismissed the subject
OF my bravery under fire" as he
called ir. and we passed a delightful
hour together. When he rose to leave
he asked me TO join a little theater
party he was giving that night, fol-
lowed BY a supper
r was almost embarrassingly con-
sciOus that he had not thought OF Civ
ing this party until he found out 1 was
alone. Yet even then 1 attached no
special importance to the fact. He was
my very good friend. IL he wished to
entertain me It was no concern of
others
Whom else shall you have?" /
asked. alter I had expressed my pleas
ure and accepted his invitation.
II had thought OF Myrtle and Ned
Caldwell Howard Cutting and one or
two others"
That will be fne.' exclaimed.
Very well. then. the party's o." he
laughed. And I'll go and get the
tickets"
Better call up the rest first 1 re-
minded They may have something
else on for the evening"
They wouldn't dare when we want
them" he replied. and waving CAV
gOOd-by ne hurried away
How peculiarly he said We" I
thought rs 7 FASTENED upstairs to In
spect ny wardrobe and decide what TO
wear
was eIated at the idea OF a pleasant
evening. I had not called the Office to
ask where Robert had gone; yet not for
LONG had the wish 10 do so been absent
from my mind Now. instead of sitting
alone and imagining unpleasant things
j would be with gay. bright people hav-
ing good time
I laid two dresses out-a white one
and one OF deep rose I would wear
one OF them, which one 1 would decide
later. l was almost positive that Har-
per would send me some flowers. 1
would wear the dress which would har-
monte with them.
About o'clock they came-a great
iA--uqUet Of palest lavender orchids.
l-ut the rose dress away and then went
down town TO a beauty parlor. i would
nave a massage, my hair done. a man
icure. and anything else that would
aud to my appearance and hide the
lired worn look that now seemed never
20 leave my face
As I sat in the comfortable chair
while a pretty girl rubbed the lines
away from my closed eyes, 1 again
wondered where Robert was. and why
he had not told me But the touch
OF the light fingers was so soothing
that I soon gave over trying TO think
OF him, and rested my mind while my
body also relaxed.
For nearly two hours ] was fused
over. as I told Myrtle, and at the end
Of that time. when the finishing touch
rs had been put to my hair, and busted
with powder. I scarcely knew myself
for the worn. tired looking woman who
had left home.
The girl, smiled as she saw my sur
prise and pleasure.
Madame looks lovely" she purred.
YES. / do look better" 1 admitted,
giving her generous tip II shall come
again
Il will give madame my card and
she handed me tiny pasteboard square
with her name
II shall not forget to ask for you"
] told her as I tucked IL away.
When Martha opened the door for
me on my return she gasped with sur
prise at my altered appearance
"Oh. Mrs. Draytoni you look beau
tifuIrr she exclaimed with the freedom
OF an old servant. 1T sure does YOU
good to go out You stay in too
much"
Yes. I think IL does me good to go
out-sOmetimes." / answered, laughing
to myslf as ] followed her down the
hall you tell Norah TO have dinner
early tonight. I am going out Then
after baby is IN bed and you have given
Bruce his supper you come and help
me dress"
Yes. ma'am. and I'm that glad you
are going out, ma'am! II would be a