Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-06
CHAPTER CXIX

n Win just d pcCh dN my Guech
~ stead of the kiss my heart hun
gered for-an absentminded. perfume
tory peck at that. 1 was sitting by the
window, where 1 had watched his free
swinging stride as he went down the
street, listlessly wondering how much
longer l could endure the existing state
OF things without saying anything,
when the ringing of the telephone
aroused me.
As I took down the receiver 1 heard
Myrtles voice:
Hello, Margaret"
"Oh. Myrtle!" I exclaimed, my voice
almost a peal of JOY, so glad was l to
have my thoughts interrupted, 81 am
delighted that you called me-"
Are you very busy, Margaret?
want you to lunch with me; just we two
alone"
NO. was just idling, to be truthful
Then you can lunch with me! / was
afraid you might have a singing lesson,
or Lenore Dorian would be with you.
have something very important to talk
over with you-something you ought to
-" She stopped, and imagined heard
her catch her breath in a queer little
gasp. as though she had been about to
say more than she had intended to.
what did you say? didn't catch
that last i asked.
"Oh. nothing! I'll tell you all about
IL when you come"
IAN right. I'll be there. about /
O'Clock"
AS l hung up the receiver I remem-
Der that j felt two distinct emotions
one of gladness that 1 was not to be
left alone with my depressing thoughts
| all day; the other a fear OF what Myrtle
had 10 tell me.
For, with a swift prescience, my mind
f...1 Ta.r ,.I 70, h. s-lv THoN
| something 1 ought to know" had to do
with Robert. I had finished the sentence
she had so abruptly terminated for me.
Myrtle and Ned Caldwell had been
our warmest friends ever since we had
| lived in Clearville. Myrtle and I had
been especially intimate. Although
had never confided in her I felt sure
she knew that was bit chagrined be-
cause OF Roberts neglect. Then, too, she
had often told me laughingly that was
an angel, that she knew she would be
cross. that she couldn't stand il If wom-
en- were running to Ned's office, conf
ing their secrets to him, telling him their
/ troubles.
| What had she discovered that she
wanted to see me so urgently?
Then. with a swift change of feel
ing. I laughed at my fears and hur-
ried upstairs 20 attend to my house,
u
should be time to dress. She had prob
ably heard from Holland or Ted; they
might be coming to visit, or she was
/ going to give a dinner and wanted TO
consult me about her guests.
| But although I tried hard to con-
vince myself. the conviction that
something she had heard about Rob-
ert was the real reason 70 her un-
usually urgent invitation to luncheon
/ would not leave me.
81 am so glad you had no singing
lesson today, and that you could come.
I so wanted your advice about that
| musicale I want to give. I should die
of modification il IL were not a sue
cess" she told me after / had laid of
my wraps.
mo. was simply idling, as 1 told
you. Really I hadn't stirred from my
chair since Robert left" answered
We'll. now we will have luncheon
It's a regular hodge-podge." she laugh
ed. 81 told Mary to cook the things
you liked, regardless of their fitness on
the same menu"
Mary was a famous cook, and a lunch
con alone with Myrtle always meant
some special dishes of which 1 was par
ticularly fond. Today, it was old-fash-
toned johnnycake, broiled chicken, and
mushrooms under glass, with a fruit
salad and cheese as dessert.
i This is a nice fattening luncheon for
two women who care anything about
preserving their figuresi' I laughed. as
! spread another square of hot johnny
cake and took a second helping Of
chicken.
'Oh. we can do without any dinner to-
night or drink lemon Juice for several
mornings; hut do eat all you want now"
Myrtle answered. She also helped her
If we don't eat everything she has cook
. ed for US"
'As far as I can Judge she is in no
danger of being mortally injured / an
swered. This is the best johnnycake
ever ate"