Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-31
rHAp-ER INIII-

tired out with our preparations.
~ After dinner Robert proposed we
saw the boys our plans for the new
house. They were both terribly inter
esIed at once
I'm glad you are TO have a home
OF your own. Sis" Bruce remarked when
Robert lett 10 fetch the plans. and glad
to De able 20 tell father that Robert is
making good You know the pater Is
still doubtful OF his business ability"
: Il wish he would visit US" 1 replied.
"he would see that we are getting along
fairly well. ! think
He will after a time. Helen wants
TO come. and she usually gets what
she wants"
with some bitterness just as Robert
appeared with the blue prints.
What's that about second wives?
he asked. I'm pretty well satisfied
with my first"
We were talking Of our stepmother."
Bruce replied with a keen glance at me
I knew brother Bruce could not under
stand the bitterness with which, occa-
sionaIIy spoke When he was with us
Robert Was always brighter and gayer
than at any other time. They were so
thoroughly en- rapport that IL could not
we'll be otherwise; yet at times / was
indignant that IL was so. that my BROTH
er was more Of a friend TO my husband
than TO me
Both boys approved Of the plans, espe-
cialIy of the changes I had suggested
Gee, Robert. but you must be getting
on" Philip exclaimed "A corner lot,
and a house like that"
Yes. Phil, am doing fairly we'll
now. II has been a hard grind, though.
harder than any one knows"
mind old II will
easier from now on" Bruce interposed.
laying his hand Just for a moment on
Roberts shoulder.
u appreciate that" Robert answered,
giving Bruce a grateful look, and II
has been owing in q measure to your
encouragement, your faith in me, that
have gone so far as I have"
That speech Of Roberts hurt me- Had
not encouraged him at all2 Had / not
had some little faith in him in spite
OF my mistakes? Had he ever acknOwl-
edged that in any way 1 had helped
him? Yet he could frankly tell Bruce
OF these things: why not me? As far
as / could I had tried in the beginning
10 be a good wife. and since ! had had
some experience was sure ] had made
his home al least comfortable. But what
/ did was taken for granted. no matter
how hard or repulsivs il was for me,
while anything others did was matter
for responsive thanks At least this
was the way il appeared 10 me never
once thought that 10 Robert IL might
be only what I was in duty bound 20
do when : married. the same as he was
bound TO care for me and the children
TO the best OF his ability.
While this was going through my
mind they still discussed the plans for
our new house
This Is the room we have designed
for your use" Robert said. pointing 10
a large guest chamber on the third floor.
Il shall have a bath and shower ad-
joining. and one OF the rooms on that
floor fitted Up as a gymna SUM as fast
as I can afford IL The boy will be
soon large enough 20 commence regular
exercise I also need IL I find my
muscles getting flabby from disuse."
That VIII be bully, I'll teach the
kid 20 box. Sis. then ne can take care
OF himself" said Philip.
1 had complained that an older child
in the neighborhood rather put upon
my boy. and that he couldn't resent IT.
Then. too. il l were in your place
I'd rig up some sort OF apparatus for
myself You look sort OF run down.
and Philip leaned over and felt OF my
arm
That's = good idea. Phil" Robert
said. ''MarGaret hasn't been at all up
to form lately. I try 20 get her 20 go
out more. to walk. but she isn't very
keen on IL"
! now proposed a little supper II
was nearly II O'Clock and we were 60
came around Philip mixed an eggnog,
at wouldn't seem like Christmas
without it, he declared.
The maids were both out. so Bruce ami
Robert helped me and we had quite a
merry little family supper As I looked
around the table at the three noble look
ing young men I couldn't help thrill of
pride that they belonged 20 me
why don't you come out here and
pracJIce2' l said 10 Bruce.
And steal Roberts business" he
asked NO. sis. I must stay where
am II takes too long for a lawyer 20
build up practice for him 10 throw 81
away reckIessly. and I am doing pretty
well where l am
= "Tu come If you'll find me as pretty
= girl as you found. Tod Freeman. Phil
declared she was a peach
Just then we heard the singers COM
ing down the street
Peace on Earth. Good VIII 20 Men
they caroled beneath our window. Tnen
The Shepherd Watched His Flocks by
Night" etc, before they moved along
For a bit we sat silent as the bells
toiIed out the midnight hour. then. after
wishing each other a merry Christmas.
I sent them all off TO bed.
Bruce said he was going 20 ask
Santa Claus 20 wake him when he came
down the chimney. so you better get
what sleep you can" In spite OF Philips
urging I had refused TO let them see
the tree until morning- The children
should have the first look at IL.