Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-19
CHAPTER XXXVIII.

- How was 10 eSCdpo 4IOii IAAS
n nightmare situation never oc-
Cured to me. 1 forgot what would be
thought of me we're 1 to be found lis
tening there, and thought only of what
l was to see and hear.
l could see the clock on Robert 8
desk. 1t lacked five minutes of .. L
wished fervently that l might strangle
it's ticking so that / might hear the more
plainly.
There was a quality of strangeness in
Phyllis Lawson's beauty, an ethereallsm
1 did not know she possessed. Her eyes
under their large smooth lids were rest"
lessly imploring. Her full curving lips
were colorless. She paced up and down
the office restlessly, 1T seemed to me
standing crampeG in the narrow closet.
body bent and tense to catch every mo-
ton, every expression.
OF a sudden she threw up her hands
with a bitter cry.
IT can't go on with 1t, Mr.. Drayton
1 can't! l can't"
But Mrs. Lawson"
mo, let him have the divorce" she
interrupted Robert. 81 can't endure the
disgrace of going to court L can't!
and she dropped into a chair.
In silence Robert moved to her side.
In silence he smoothed back her hair.
when she sat down.
Now the clock was striking 8. l
thought impersonally that 1t was time
for Betty to be fed. 1 almost cursed
the clock. Robert was speaking.
What do you wish me to dog"
"Oh tell what to do" She plead
ed. what can 1 do? If it were not
for you l should go mad" She groan-
ed hiding her face in her hands.
you are innocent of any wrong. Why
let him smirch your Robert asked.
who will believe that? No one"
she answered her own question.
IT do. Why shouldn't others?" Rob
ert's quiet voice questioned.
But everyone is so willing to con-
denim a woman, to acquit the man, at
least to excuse him."
Cant you trust me? Leave 1t to
me-" Robert spoke. again his hand
brushed back the soft hair which had
fallen over her forehead, and then he
handed her her hat. Put 1t on he
told her, "it is late. I'll take you to
the street, then you go home and rest.
I'll see you tomorrow"
AS he made that promise, I, in spite
of all my efforts emitted a sound. Rob-
ert turned like a flash. and knew from
the look in his eyes that he was aware
that some one was in the closet. l
would have screamed out for very shame,
but 1 could not l must keep still
until Phyllis Lawson had left. Perhaps
when he went down to the street with
her / could get out and walk down the
stairs, instead of taking the elevator,
and so escape him. l held my breath.
Robert, his face turned toward the clos
et was speaking.
"On second thoughts I will not go
With M "a dfGNnnraR
We will arrange matters so that you
will experience no embarrassment"
Then he opened the door and Phyllis
Lawson passed out
With one stride he reached the closet
and flung open the door.
Margaret he gasped, surprise, re-
lief, and something else-was 1t dis
dain?-struggling in his face.
Yes, Margaret" 1 answered.
"Why-what-are you doing here?"
l knew it was Of no use to try to
evade, to lie. so I told the truth.
1T was trying to discover what Phyl-
lis Lawson was to you"
at is dinner time. We will go home"
was his answer as 1 came shamefacedly
from the closet and meekly followed him
to the elevator.
When we reached the street / saw Pc
ter Lawson lounging on the opposite
side. Robert also saw him, was sure
but beyond a tightening Of the lips he
said nothing.
AS we reached home, however, he said
as we were left alone.
You did an almost unbelievable thing
this afternoon, Margaret, but because
Of an unwilling benefit that arose from
your presence l forgive II. But never
spy on me again!" in his severest man.
ner.
I said nothing. but my cheeks were
one fire with shame and indignation. In
dignation at Robert, shame that l had
been caught spying.
Remember what 1 say!' he added
after a moment.
What could he have meant by say
ing that some benefit had arisen from
my presence in the closet-or in the
office Suddenly l knew. Peter Law
son. He was watching his wife. Per-
haps had seen her enter the building
with Robert. My presence in the Office,
my exit with Robert was the best thing
that could have happened-for her.
In demeaning myself 1 had only help
ed the woman whom 1 had hoped to con-
fuse.