Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-16
By Carolyn
BeeCher
ONE WOMAN'S
STORY
CHAPTER Cxxv.

A LITTLE silence fell between us.
"A One of those sweet silences that
n only come when spirits accord
If only for the moment. Then Mrs. Null
hany said:
Come, dear, we have talked long
enough We are getting too serious.
Sing a little for me. Then 1 must be
going. Tim phoned he would be home
for dinner and L wouldn't be out when
he gets there for good deal"
A happy little smile played about her
lips.
What shall L sing?"
please sing ,'Oh, Perfect Day" 1 love
the words"
I sang it for her.. Sang it as 1 never
had before, never will again. Sang 1t
to the brave heart who held that life
has compensations for everything, even
for such troubles as hers had been. To
her. who turned q smiling face to the
world, and looked upon her days as per-
feet, because she herself made them So
Music hath charms" has been truly
written What l should have done with
out music, and the forgetfulness it
brought me, L cannot imagine. At times
it thrills me with pleasure, although
rarely of late. But many restless
feeling it has charmed into quiet; many
a rebellious moment turned into
peaceful one.
Mrs. Mulhany left as soon as my song
was finished.
Thank you, dear, and, Margaret,
don't you ever forget to be thankful to
Him for the gifts He has given YOU
Above all, thank Him for the gift of
true, manly husband, and your darling
children. Cling closely to both, dear. 1t
is such a little while at best that we
are allowed to keep them"
AS I turned from her 1 wondered if
could ever hope to possess her faith
Once more my resolution was halted.
Once more 1 was for the moment IN
clined to hesitate.
Could life hold any compensation for
me if Robert were false? upon the
heels of this thought came another
the thought Of the great honor which
every one said would surely be conferred
upon him.
'T must hold fast until them 1 whis-
pered, as I went back up stairs, AFTER
bidding Mrs. Mulhany goodbye. But L
was weary of the struggle to appear
what l was not; tired almost to death
of keeping up appearances.
81 may as well tell you, Margaret"
Robert said as he pushed his chair
away from the dinner table. ut looks as
though l were to be appointed. L can't
say more at present-but l feel keenly
the honor bestowed upon me. l Will talK
more to you when L have time. now l
must go out. Do not sit up for me; L
shall be late"
He had spoken hastily, and in low
voice. | don't know that / had ever seen
him show so much feeling. ] asked no
questions l could not. All could 90
was to wonder dumbly if he were going
to see Phyllis Lawson and talk II over
with her.
az am very glad for you, Robert"
managed to say. you are very young
for such a position
"I know, Margaret, and l feel very
proud, and also very humble For years
il has been the goal for which l nave
striyen. But I did not expect to arrive
for some time yet. / shall do my BEST
to retain the faith of the people who
have trusted me-
He threw up his head and squared
his shoulders in a manner peculiar TO
him when he was strongly moved. or
when there was something ahead or I'M
whic was particularly difficult
But he showed no inclination to dis
cuss. even to mention the matter or
his appointment to me after tnat Hrst
short explanation. OF course, I heard
of it from all my friends, who wondered
If I would care to be te wife of man
so popular, and still others expressed
their envy of me, and marvelled at my
lack of enthusiasm.
Had they known that L did not expect
to share the honor they were TO confer
upon Robert but was only waiting, try
ing to hold fast until it was over, L ex-
pect they would, one and all, have been
scandalized. Had they known with what
misery, what agonized thoughts | looked
forward to my future they would surely
have pitied me.
I tried several times to introduce the
subject, but Robert only answered in
monosyllables. When 1 pressed him, ne
said:
There's an old saying you have doubt
less heard Margaret: There's many
slim between the cup and the lip Sup
pose we wait until my appointment is
sure before we discuss it further
"Oh, how can you be so cold and IN
different about everything" 1 exploded
moved out of my usual restraint when
with him. Haven't you a spark of feel
ing about anything left in you?"
Robert looked at me in amaZement
m oment before he replied quietly:
Perhaps, Margaret, have more feel
ing than YOU give me credit for