Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-01-12

TT OW June White came to see me
II quite often. Almost l liked him
better than Howard. the youth
VINO had introduced him TO me. Had
! been oldeE and wiser l do not think
my admiration for June would have
been so great. He was much flasher
than his friend. He had quick, shrewd
air and a ather domineering way which
passed with me for knowledge and will
power. Also, probably because his re-
spect for me was not nearly so deep
as Towards he ordered me about, kissed
me without asking my permission, and
gave me innumerable small gifts of silk
stockings gloves, candies and silver
trifles for my dresser. 1 was still far
too grasping by nature not to judge a
man more by his gifts than by his true
personal worth.
And another sign that pointed to the
kind of young people that June and
l were is that we did not either of us
tell Howard how often we were see
ing each other. We tactily agreed that
it would be inexpedient. l don't know
exactly what course June followed in
this; whether he merely did not men
ton my name to Howard or by impli-
cation made him think he did not see
me. But 1 know very well what l did
lied deliberately. Often when June
had asked me to dine with him or go
to the theater 1 told Howard II had a
headache" L could not go out or my
mother was i'll and l would have to stay
with her. 1 do not think Howard sus-
pected for an instant that June had
seen me more than once or twice since
the birthday party. Then the crash
came.
June and 1 had been ito a dansant,
where we had stayed later than we
had intended. L had accepted an invita-
ton to dine with Howard. 1 told June
laughingly as we went home that he
could not linger or he would meet his
friend on my doorstep. He shuddered
comically and said with a laugh that it
would then be coffee and pistols for
two"
However, instead of obeying my sug-
gestion, when we got in the house June
did stride into the hall in a manner
which l thought masterful. We stayed
just inside the door talking in under
tones lest my mother should come out
to join us. Already the early dark
ness had fallen upon the street and
the light in the hall was lit.
We'll, l must go, Dr." said June
easily. 81 don't want TO run into old
Howard, you know"
Then with a gesture l knew, he circled
me close with one arm, raised my face
with his hand and kissed me on the
lips. Just then the door bell rang.
Goodness" / cried, starting from
Junes embrace. that's Howard, sure as
Fate!"
l think the color left June's lipe a
little, but he tried to swagger.
well, what of it?" he asked.
"Oh, you don't want anything horried
to happen! Please run upstairs. You
can just go up there until he's in the
sitting room, then you can go out!''
Perhaps it was my urgent "don't"
perhaps it was because innately June
was not quite the conquering hero he
would have liked me to believe him to
be. At any rate he turned on his heel
and ran up the stairs. Then l opened
the door. l opened it to face a very
white, straight Howard, who spoke al
most huskily.
Il came to take you to dinner, ID"
he said I'm sorry, but l couldn't
help seeing your reflection on the front
door | guess I'm butting in"
And then with an effort he raised his
hat.
Good night" he said, and turned
away