Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-02
By Carolyn
Beecher

mad to go without him. 1 studied TO
improve myself. / was unusually care
ful with my dress, wearing the coIors,
etc, 1 knew he had some time admired.
But most of the time he was absent
from me 1 spent in wondering where
he was, who with, and what he was
doing.
So l worked ard studied indefatig-
ably, Robert paying no attention as to
how occupied my time, when he
worked at his office, and climbed
higher and higher in mis- profession.
save for the children, we seemed to
nave no community of interest, no pos
slble reason Tor being together.
To my great delight Leonore Dorian
had bought a home in Clearville. We
were often together, she advising or
1eaching me, L studying, practicIng,
absorOlng all possible of her wonder
full technique. For, ever and ever
since l had found that letter-the idea
grew stronger that soon l should be
living apart from Robert, and when
that time came l would be self-sup-
porting. l would accept none of his
money. Ny pride would not allow It,
My acquaintance with her, despite
our occasional meeting, never went be-
yond the coolest. most rigid formali-
ties. All that 1 saw in her was the
woman who had supplanted me in my
husbands affections, who wanted to
take my place in his life Robert had
never again asked me to invite her to
our home. which 1 considered another
proof of his feeling for her
PHILIPS Lawson had gone ahead with
rapid strides. Her work-which 1
closely watched-was welcomed by the
standard magazines, and her second
book, Just published, was a greater. sue
cess than the first one Society was
inclined to lionize her, and the conse-
quences was we sometimes met. If
Robert were with me L watched jeal-
ously for some sign of their fondness
Tor each other, but they were very cir
cumspect, and 1 could detect nothing
out the most innocent friendship in
their manner.
Robert mad served his time as dis
trict attorney. and had refused a sec
ond term. He had returned to his pri-
Vate practice. 1t had grown very ran
idly and with it his income. We were
now In a position financially at which
even father could not cavil. Really.
though. father had been very generous
In his praise of Robert and his ability
Always, however he wound I'D with
his pet phrase:
Il did not think 1t was in him"
AS Roberts interests grew-he had
become the attorney for several large
corporations-he himself grew even
more serious, more dignified; less in
terested in the ordinary things of So
ciety and home. One person only SEEM
ed to have the power to move his stu
died calm, that was Bruce, the boy
upon whom he had set his hopes. the
son whose future he had mapped out i'm
brilliant colors.
what are you going to be when
you grow up?" people often asked my
tall, delicate boy. and his answer was
invariably the same:
Il am going to be a great lawyer
like dad"
There never was the slightest I'M
certainty about his answer any more
than there was uncertainty in his child
ish mind about his father being great
lawyer. One day Ned Caldwell, think
ing to tease Bruce, asked:
How do you know your father is
a great lawyer, Bruce? 1 am not so
sure about 1t myself"
Because he is my father" Bruce
had answered with the unconscious
clear reasoning q childhood. And.
really, he was not far out of the way
in his answer. For often when 1 had
urged Robert to rest he would say he
couldn't afford to, he must work for
Bruce.
His plans for the body's education
were far-reaching, and because of his
health, naturally more expensive in
every way. Robert had selected the
college at home, and the university
abroad at which Bruce would fit him
self, and they talked of them intimate
w of
instead of years when he should enter.
Betty was in school. She was the
gayest, brightest little soul, and her
happy. wholesome personality was a
constant joy to Bruce, who loved his
little sister. Betty never seemed to no
tee that Roberts heart was bound up
in her brother, that while he was KIND
and tender to her he never gave her
the love that he gave Bruce.
! felt like thanking God that she had
not inherited my Jealous disposition.
Under the same circumstances /. as
child, Would have been miserable.
CHAPTER CXvII.
n FTEN when 1 had not ben able
to talk to Robert for days be-
cause of his absence or his alb
sent-mindedness when at home, l would
invent some scheme to have Bruce ask
him certain questions so that l might
occasionally secure his attention.
Robert was never unkind or rude. He
simply was so absorbed in his business
and his thoughts-which I often mag
ined were of the other woman-that he
said very little wnen at home He was
scrupulously polite, and, save that his
manner often carried a sterness. 1 had
nothing to complain of on that score.
He had insisted, as his means in
creased that l have more help, and we