Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-23
CHAPTER CXXX.


writing him of my intention ana
telling him the reason i had decided
to leave him free to follow his own
inclinations. But IL seemed cowardly.
Then, too, hesitated to put the cause
Phyllis Lawson-upon paper. But Sig
nor Romelfs letter would come any day
now, and l might have to leave soon
had much to attend to in connection
with the children as ! should be away
for about fourteen weeks, during winch
time Robert could arrange for perma-
nent separation.
Whenever for any reason my mind
wavered the thought of the day when l
found Phyllis Lawson standing win
her hands on Roberts breast, a Worlu
of devotion in her eyes, would strength
en- me. or. if life without him seemed
almost more than | could face l would
suddenly remember her letter and the
words, Love there never has been untll
met you," would burn and scorch my
BRAIN
But Robert never should know how
things hurt me. I was even frightened
lest he imagine that l misinterpret the
quality of his feeling for me; lest ne
should think l still cared. l felt tnat
| had endured much, but that humih-
alton l would be spared.
Secretly / was glad that the reply
from Romeli was delayed. The eXlgen-
cies of life. the desire to be sure
had everything arranged for the 1utufe
of myself and the children, Kept me
very busy. But of this l was glad, as
il rave me less time to think OF my
troubles.
"Perhaps I ought to walt bit Ion
ger" / thought as | sat by my WINDOW
one night alone as usual Bruce hao
not seemed quite as well of late.
heard Robert come in, ] put out
the light and hastily crept into ped.
wondered idly why Robert dld not come
I'D. Then drowsily concluded ne hau
gone into the library to read "nile
before coming to bod--as he often uid'
regardless of the hour.
A half hour late ] woke with a gasp
sat Nm in bed and listened. A muir
muir of voices reached my ears Hoo-
ert was across the hall talking TO Bruce
What could be the matter? was sure
something was wrong.
slipped on my wrapper over my
gown. and thrusting my feet into my
bedroom slippers, | hurried OUT IN the
hall toward Bruce's room. Al the 900
slightly ajar. | paused. bruce Nolce d.
rested my attention. 49,.
cts Yale. Dad / heard him say
note of decision in his young voice.
"All right, son! Yale it is Robert
answered heartily. !
It had been quite joke some tlIho
,ha+wcon them One day 1t would DE
Harvard. and Bruce would decorate ms
room with Harvard colors, and insist
o, reading all the literature he couio
gather pertaining to Harvard. ferhapS
the next day it would be NCorheil' 70
night it was Yale, and smiled IN lhe
darkness as l thought of the happiness
OHHt
future. Sc. rl- 80 ,.,.o
host - I heard Bruce say after mo-
mant "Once asked her. and she said
she thought | ought to go to Harvard
because you did. Do you think So TOO
dad?" s,e
"No. son. That need make no dif-
ference. You plan to go just where
you want to. Dad will see TO the
rest" -,
TherA was a vibrant note ir Roberts
voice that in some unexplainable way
frightened me- With little shiVer |
quietly made my way bck TO bed ana
when he came into the room Few
moments later / pretended TO De asleep
AS he undressed / heard him sigh
once or twice. sigh heavily like man
with some sorrow or grief might sign.
Then I smiled to myself in the dark AT
the robustness OF SuCH anu fNSo' W
sorrow did he have? successful
man in his professionally thouSht
halted. Perhaps he was thinking OF
Phyllis Lawson. The sigh may have
been because Of his inability TO be all
to her that he desired to be. And my lip
curled in the darkness. while tears fill
ed my eyes as I thought OF how soon he
would be free to do as he liked.
How we women love to torture our
selves Why is it, l wonder?
The next morning Bruce appeared
rather listless and Robert spoke anx-
iously to me about him:
"I think you better take Bruce away
for while" he said as he rose from
the breakfast table. How would you
like to take a trip with your mother,
SOM"
"TEat would DC bully. dad" he an
swered. but with very little anima-
ton, that is, if you'll go. too
ct can't go just now, but if mother
will take you I'll manage TO come for
you," Robert replied in a strangely mild
and wistful manner. A"Think it over.
Margaret Ask Dr. Morton where he
would advise going,' and we will decide
the details tonight I'll be at home
early.'
but Robert | have something to
talk over with you now. Will you come
into the library a few moments?"
Impossible, Margaret. Whatever
it is will have to keep until tonight"
he replied a trihe impatiently, as he
looked a his watch.
So for one more day I must keep
my secret. For one more day things
would go on as usual