Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-10-16

ii -
- - he returned with his bag in his
hand
"Good-by. Margaret. Take good care
of yourself" and he kissed me. 81 see
the children are in the yard. I'll say
good-by to them out there. I'll prob
ably be back some time tomorrow"
AS usual, ne hadn't mentioned where
he was going. If l wanted him 1
would have to get that information at
his office.
"Good-by. Mr. Carleton, I am sorry
to be obliged to rush away" and he
was gone
l can't explain just why but for the
remainder of Harper's call l was I'M
comfortable. 1 had an impression that
in some way Robert disapproved of his
being with me- although he had never
in any way criticized our friendship or
objected TO Harper's visits.
The next day on his return it was
proved l was right. And for a few mo-
ments I was happier in Roberts disap-
prevail than l had been in a long time.
He had at last shown jealousy of me.
81 don't mean to criticize you, Mar
earet. nor to find fault with your
friends. But II would be we'll to remCm-
Der that it takes very little to start
unpleasant gossip. The servants may
talk, if no one else does, if you allow
Mr.. Carleton to call so often. or to keep
you so we'll supplied with flowers. I
am able now to pay for all the flowers
you desire. and should much prefer do
ing So"
81 don't find fault with your friends
nor when or where you see them" I
answered perversely. although my heart
was beating happily at the thought that
at last he was jealous, and so he must
care for me a little. i had the mis-
taken idea that there was no love be-
tween man and woman without Jeal-
ousy.
II am not finding fault, neither do
care personally how often you see him.
or any other gentlemen whom you care
to receive. 1t isn't anything like that
You are my wife and 1 trust YOU i'm
plicitly; but | hate to see you doing
anything that may cause you regret,
or set foolish tongues to wagging
However, you are the judge of what
you want to do l shall say nothing
more"
because you dare not" 1 felt like
screaming, you know you are in love
with Phyllis Lawson, and perhaps with
that blond girl in your Office. You
would not dare find fault with me for
allowing a good friend to call upon me
and bring me a nosegay," but instead
The Disappointment when he told me
that personally" he did not care, and
realized that it was not any jealousy
Of me that had caused him to speak,
filed my eyes with tears and l turned
away that he might not see them.
How gladly l should have told Har-
per to remain away, how happily
should have done all he wished, had
he put his request on the ground Of
his own feeling for me, the hurt that
would have been his. But now 1 would
in my pet phrase show him and 1 at
once proceeded to do so by saying:
81 care as little about what people
say of Harper Carleton or any other
gentleman calling on me, as you do of
what may be said when you take
Phyllis Lawson, or any other attract
i've woman client to dine with you.
Fortunately we both are above such
petty ideas. Mr.. Carleton admires me,
strange as it may seem to you. He en-
joys my society; ! do his. 1t would be
ridiculous for two good friends to allow
a little gossip to interfere with their
friendship"
AS 1 said, you must do as you think
best" Robert returned a trifie YEARLY
| thought, then he left me, left me TO
spend a long, lonely evening in which to
wish for Harper Cartoons society.
AS 1 sat on the piazza after the chill
dren had gone to bed, I thought of our
conversation anent Harper Carleton, ami
smiled as l recalled the simple friend
ship we had each for the other. Could
Robert know this he would certainly
be even more willing to trust me.
couldn't help a little thrill of pride as J
remembered that he had said he trusted,
yet why should he? He gave me no
reason to be true to him. My own pride.
my babies-more than all my love for
him had made it easy to repulse Harper
But suppose 1 ceased to love him
what then?
Once more there filtered through my
mind the desire to do something. be
something of account in the world, Snd
so busy myself that l should have
neither time nor inclination to grieve
because my husband neglected me. But
then Bruce's pale face came before me,
and l knew that until he had wholly
regained his health. which had begun
to be doubtful. my place was with him.
Yet I would not let ii deter me from a
thorough preparation. Sometime !
felt l should need it. Sometime I
should be unable to endure Roberts
coldness, and still remain quietly at
home.
For hours / sat bathed in the MOON
light. trying to plan some way to make
Robert feel that l was worth caring
for. worth keeping now that l was his.
But alyays there obtruded Phyllis Law
sons beautiful face, thoughts of her
cleyerness, and his interest in her, and
what she did.
But finally when | at last went to
bed it was the face Of the blond ste
nogra phe4. that 1 saw between me and
Robert Phyllis Lawson had faded
away, and Pearl Bailey had taken her
place.
Chapter CHI.
T RECALL that one day when l was
feeling particularly depressed Mrs.
Mulhany called. At first l was
tempted to send down word that / was
mot at home" but she had been so
kind through all our trouble l couldn't
bear to send her away. Then, too,
really loved Katherine Mulhany, and so
| braced up and went down.
when you are busy, or for any rea-
son prefer to be alone, do not hest
tate to say so when 1 run in, for |
can come again." she said after L had
greeted her. I knew that with her
usual perspicuity she had detected
something wrong, and feared she was