Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-10-09

Itu NpAlaAi~tA. nut the hONNOA = NtAN
ton had reviving effect. "A re-
lapse would be fatal" was what he
had said. Bruce must have no relapse
would sec to that. And again / was'
he tirelees. watcher nurse the care
tul attendant.
So passed 1.-THE days and nights until
The doctor said there was no more dan
ser of contasiOn. and until Betty was
a. we'll as e,er. Bruce was but
wrath of h former roly-pOly self,
hut gained slowly in strength each
day.
Both my family and Roberts, espe-
cfaIIy his invalid mother, who l had
never seen, had sent messages OF love
land helpfulness almost daily. Ana now
that ne was downstairs there was
scarcely a day that some gift did not
arrive for the little invalid. lie was
| in fair way of being spoiled.
As he grew stronger we spent many
hours in the automobile, driving SLOW
IN over the smooth country roads. FL
nalIy the doctor pronounced him as
we'll as we could expect after such
terrible illness.
"Tt will take a long time 10 build
him up. and he will ned great care Tor
Il some time" Doctor Morton told US
The fever had not left him with any
permanent trouble, but he was weak
and delicate In place of my sturdy
little son there was a little, semi-ln-
valid over whom we had to keep con-
stant watch that he did not overdo. Al
FIRST l could scarcely reconcile myseIf
10 this state, but, like all things ne-
Icame accustomed TO it after time ana
that Bruce must continue TO be careIui-
iIy tended and watched over became an
Iaccepted condition in our household
| After his recovery Robert seemed
more vrapt up IN his little son than
ever. He was carefully anxious also
of nv health, and gave me many or
ldars as to my food and exercise, al
wavs ending his admonitions:
/. If you. do not keep we'll now can
tvou attend properly to Bruce. -.
| His care for me was only because
! of his love for my boy-or so it seem
| ed 10 me- But in time we ceased TO
| mention Bruces health, which remained
| delicate. and gradually slipped back IN
! sudden impulse made me go In. Al
/ a desk sat one of the very prettlest
! girls | had ever seen. A golden blonde
/ with perfectly chiseled features. stop
| ped still in my amazement RoDer1
/ had said nothing about MISS PERKINS pc
/ ing way She was the PLAIN mloole-
| aged .stenographer he had employed Tor
! two years
{ Where is Miss PERKINS asheu'
( lis she ill?"
shes not here now, madame. Is
there anything l can do for your
mo thank you, but how long has
she been gomez?
81 have been here six weeks. She
left before l came"
Il am Mrs. Drayton. You may tell
/ my husband that 1 came in" l said
! coldly appraising the young thing be-
fore me -.
Drayton will return soon if you care
40 wait"
Z NO. | won't waltz I replied, and
passed out of the office. ..
whv had Robert discharged plain,
competent Miss Perkins and taken
that lovely blonde creature in her
Mace? asked myself as 1 walked
toward home / was botn suspicious
and Jealous I knew Miss Perkins had
worked faithfully. / had heard Robert
extol her virtues TO Ned
why did you. discharge Miss Per-
lxins?" / asked when Robert came in
TO dinner: picture Of the golden blonde
before me. &e.
Because / did not need her longer"
he answered. drawing his brows to-
gether sas he always did when i ques-
/ toned him about his business affairs.
81 am sorry 1 was out when you
1 called"
But she was capable, have heard
you tell Ned Caldwell so many times!'
| persisted.
Yves. I know!' impatiently, land she
was up to a certain point. Beyond
/ that she was useless; so L let her GO
lis that blonde chit you have in her
/ place more competent / couldn't keep
! the sneering tone from my voice.
Much more" he answered laconi-
/ cally.
And so much more attractive to look
/ att" this time l made no attempt TO
hide the sarcasm.
Very much more his cold voice
should have warned me, but usual
when my jealousy was reused paid
/ no attention.
THAT Il suppose is the real reason
/ she is in the Office"
! Perhaps" and he deliberately turn
ed from me. to take Bruce upon his
lap. =
"How,s my little man today?" he
/ asked.
Pine. dad. but muver is sick, she
Il got sick out walking"
p The child had noticed my preoccu-
| patton. and had drawn his fathers at
tcntion TO IL.