Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-10
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SowI
rHAPTEK LNXII.

CHAPTER LANlL
A Bruce grew stronger l gave
u UP TO the feeling of absolute
Il n WEAKNESS that possessed me. III
spent long hours lying on the couch
resting But my mind was unusually
alert. and many things which hereto
fore had escaped me in my anxiety over
Bruce now assumed unnatural proper
tons
When thinking of Robert and the
strenuous days We had just passed
through. l marvelled that We had not
been drawn more closely together. While
nv husband had been all kindness II
was because l was the mother OF his boy,
instead OF a feeling prompted by his
love for me. / realized now that in all
the weary anxious weeks OF Bruces i'll
ness Robert never had spoken one word
of love to me. He often had given eX-
preston 10 his fear that 1 would overdo
il. but not once had he taken me In his
arms. not once had he let me feel that
he loved me-.
1 knew that was not the way OF all
married men. because Ned Caldwell and
others who ma been married much long
er than We had were not chary OF allow
ing IL TO be seen that they still loved
their wives; and were not afraid 10 tell
them So Even Tim Mulhany, brusque
and rough as he sometimes was. often
showed
woman he had lived with so long. III
must be because there was some one else
that Robert never showed me the affec-
tion i craved-
As I Law there the lines Of poem
Aunt Edith used 10 quote came TO me;
Could we but draw aside the curtains
That enfold each others lives,
See the naked heart and spirit,
Know what spur the action gives
nd better.
PIrrer than we judge We should;
We should love each other better
IL we only understood
As repeated them softly TO myself
a determination came TO me to try to I'M
dersrand Robert better, tO'be sure before
Judged him But with the determination
came a heartache that IL was necessary
10 watt and a feeling that real love need
ed nothing to make itself felt In knew
that nv doubts were making me unhap-
nv. that they were changing me from
fairly happy woman to bitter type
of wife entirely unlike what l wished
to be. Yet I seemed powerless TO check
them
Z The telephone rang and I wondered
whv Matilda did not answer Then u
remembered that il was Matilda's day
Z out. Again that annoying ring. and
this time I sprang up and answered IL.
Nv hello was none too cordial until
I recognized MyrtIe's voice
ARE YOU going TO be AT home this
3 afternoon. Margaret If you are ana
want me I'm coming over. I'm as blue
as can be-"
+ Tn. tone OF MyrtIe's voice banished
The last regret I may have felt at being
disturbed II sounded as though she
were in some sort OF distress, or had
something of importance 10 tell me-
Come right over" 1 told her.
shall be in the entire afternoon
While waiting for Myrtle my mind
again reverted to my life with Robert
was IL 10 go on unfortunately like
this7 I looked forward TO the com
ing wears in which I should grow Older.
: less attractive If Robert neglected
1--we now. how could 1 expect to hold
nm later Then all unbidden the
th,uKhr of Harper Carleton crossed
my mind Here was man who felt
was worth while. who admired me-
and wanted me for a friend II l so
ttracted him why could not hold
roberts love 1 had made no positive
ffort to please Harper; and I had
ade many attempts TO attract Robert
70 his former interest in me.
well. here I am at last" Myrtle's
Il CAV voice broke in upon my reverie-
81 met Norah and the children out
side and she let me in. Did l startIe
you7 You look absolutely dazed."
..You did startle me a Bit l re-
turned. Il was lying here thinging
and didn't hear a sound But / am
glad 10 see YOU. for my thoughts were
anything but pleasant"
We'll. I have some news for you.
PHYLLIS Lawson has sent out cards for
musicale Shall you go7"
II have received no invitatiOn-wait
a minute I believe the postman came
while ago" and going into the hall
picked up a. letter from Philip, and
another envelope addressed in an IN
& familiar hand writing.
This may be it." I said to Myrtle
as tore IL open 1t was On the
very finest stationery. but wOrded very
simply was an invitation TO the small
musicale
well. shall you go?" impatiently
aueried Myrtle
aNo." I answered deliberately. II
shall not go"
But why. Margaret? Don't you
think Robert will feel that YOU should
co.
Robert may go II he wishes. but 1
shall not enter Phyllis Lawson's house
Please don't ask me for my reasons.
MYRTLE. But you be sure they are good
ones You will go. of cOuTse2
YES think so. Ned was rather
pleased ~ The idea The men are all
foz her you know; and all down on
NJ Lawson"
"She IS a woman, and pretty WIS
ny cryptic answer