Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-24

= Il was many days DeIOre enAlEclS
recovered from the shock caused by
my haby's narrow escape from
horrible death. Robert was very kind
but he was away as much as before.
Little Betty. her burns bandaged. re-
quired great deal Of care. for when the
burns began to heal the itching caused
her to try to tear on the bandagos. 1
held her for hours singing nursery
rhymes and holding her little hands in
mine. Bruce could not bear TO leave
her for a moment. so long days passed
while my baby convalesced.
Myrtle and Mrs. Mulhany had been
most kind. Myrtle spending much Of her
time with me.
Tod and Holland will soon be back"
she told me. "and are going to spend a
month with me before going on to New
York 1 do hope you will be looking A
little more like yourself by that time: 1
hate TO have Tod see you looking like a
ghost-'
piled YEARLY.
What difference does It make?' she
repeated II should think IL would make
a great deal of difference 20 one so proud
as you. ! should hate 20 have an old
lover of mine see me looking as though
I had made the mistake Of my life in
not marrying him, and that's exactly
how YOU look this minute One would
think you were forty instead OF twenty
four. Betty Is almost well. and you
must brace up. Wei commence the
bracing business by going for a ride
this afternoon. Martha can care for
Betty now, and che poor girl is so dis
tressed because OF her burns that you
needn't fear TO trust her"
"Oh. I'm not assured Myrtle.
Martha has been too faithful. too kind
TO the children for me TO doubt her.
How the baby got that match is a mys-
terry. but have never blamed Martha"
Il am afraid she thinks you do. She
looks so solemn, and you know you have
scarcely allowed her TO touch Betty
since she vas burned"
Just then Martha came into the room.
Martha" ! said. with no thought of
how my simple words would AFFECT her.
Il am gCing to ride with Mrs. Caldwell
this afternoon and leave the children
with you"
We'll take Bruce IL you like" inter-
rupted Myrtle just as Martha burst
into a very tempest Of weeping The
poor girl tried TO control her sobs. and
started to leave the room. when I called
her back
What Is II. Martha What are YOU
crying aboutz" I asked.
''Oh. ma'sm. I am so glad, thought
you wouldn't ever let me take care Of
Betty no more" And a fresh outburst
followed
Why. OF course. YOU are TO take car,
Of Betty just as you used TO. We must
I have never blamed you for her accI-
dent Now. dry your eyes and look
"a
days. ! had no idea you were fretting
because I had taken charge OF Betty
With a face beaming. although still
wet with tears. the faithful girl left
the room.
Il can't thank you enough. Myrtle"
exclaimed as the door closed. 81 hadn't
noticed that she was hurt My mind
has been so occupied with the children
and other things"
We'll. IL is all right now" Myrtle
returned brightly. "and I'll run along
III be back by ? o'clock with the car
Be all ready so we can take full advan-
tage of this glorious afternoon.
Promptly at Myrtle called for me
and Bruce and I went for a long rfie
out into the country. I remember we
talked but little. that is, Myrtle and I
Bruce chartered like a maybe. but fort
unately he was at an age when he could
be ignored with impunity, he conversed
with himself.
you are looking better already"
Myrtle declared as we turned toward
home after a two hours spin; you have
color"
81 feel better. too" I replied. Il
guess I shall have to take your advice
and get out more often. I make up
my mind TO do so. then something hap
pens and become lethargic again"
thought OF my determination to
change my manner OF living on the very
afternoon Betty was burned. and how
each time that had become imbued with
the idea that some thing had happened.
Well. Il couldn't always be so. and once
again / made UP my mind to show Rob-
ert how Indifferent I could be. and
how / could get along without him. even
as he. did without me But | said moth
ing OF this TO Myrtle I would not &C.
knowledge even TO her that I was so
neglected and so desperately grieved be-
cause OF H.
When we reached home I found a note
from Robert on my dressing table. He
had eoe in. packed his grip. and gone
away.
viii be back in two or three days;
II you want me. the office cap reach
me-" was all he said.
As read the short. unsatisfactory
note my cheeks burned. and my heart
beat fast with indignation. He had gone
away for two or three days. He had not
even told me where he was going. II
cared to know why the Office could tell
me. He had not said sood-by. even on
paper. and angry tears filled by eyes as
I thought of how little account was
to him. and how little I entered into
HIS life.
"Daddie didn't kiss me good-byF"
Bruce walled when he found his faith
er gone. and in comforting him for the
moment forgot my own disappointment.
all be very careful OF her. but. Martha.