Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-02-20

/ Sometimes we never quite see =
= our mistakes until we have seen y
them through the eyes Of some y
= one else. =
n life now moved smoothly along
INI a course which was almost a
rut. Yet L was happy in it. L
was up each morning promptly at Z, got
my own breakfast In my little-hall bed
room, went to the insurance office, di-
rected envelopes until p clock, had an
hour for my luncheon and walk, back
at my desk all afternoon and frequently
TO bed early after a solitary dinner.
But my friendship with the Flaharty
family considerably lightened the tedi-
UNI of my days. 1 lunched very fire.
quently with Helen, whom [ came to
like more and more. 1 learned humbly
of her common sense and cheerfulness in
a life which but short time ago would
have seemed to me tiresome beyond all
bearing
Every once in a while / went home
to the Flaharty flat for dinner, and
enjoyed to the full the simple family
repast and the task of clearing it away
and Strengthening the dining room aft
erward.
My friendship with this family was
frightened by one romance. Helens eld-
est brother, Tom, was attracted to me
and showed his feelings toward me
quite plainly. He had what L would
have called a year or so ago a crush
on me. But evidently the crush" OF
the gay youths of my former dinners
and parties resembled little the real af-
lection that Tom Flaharty felt for
me. He showed his interest in ways
that were new to me. When 1 dined
with the family he tried to do all he
81,
scolded me if L did not wear rubbers
on rainy days. Several times when in
rush of work at the insurance office
Helen and | were compelled to work
late, he waited for us for hours in the
hall Of the office building so that L
would not have to walk to my home
alone after dark.
1t shows the unquestioning frapkness
of this family, too, that the Flahartys
did not look askance upon Toms choice.
They knew nothing of me or the sort
of life 1 had led, but they took me at
my face value. To them L was a hum
BILE working girl, not as well off as they
were, because 1 was unprotected by any
family life. When they saw me 1t was
in their own home, where cheerfully
helped them with their household tasks
and entered intellectually into their
life. 1 dare say they thought L would
make an excellent wife for Tom. AS far
as 1 was concerned the boys counting
of me was an altogether novel and beau
tiful experience. Unlike the other young
men L had known, 1 think he would have
feared even to hold my hand. His whole
attitude was one of respectful admira-
ton. When 1 was in the room his glance
never left my face. Apparently his idea
of bliss was but to follow me about,
watching for little tasks he might per-
form to make things easier for me.
1t must be admitted that unfortun-
ately 1 did not return Toms affection.
L liked him enormously. His attentions
were sweet to me, but beyond that l
felt nothing for him. However, scarce
ly without my realizing it, we seemed
gradually to be drifting into sort of
tacit understanding Or affection be-
tween us. After few months o. my
visits to the Flaharty home, the girls
would frequently make excuses to leave
Tom and myself together in the sitting
room. 1t was always he who walked
from the F1aharty flat to my own home
with me. Once or twice We went to the
moving pictures together. And on one
memorable occasion we dined out, I'M
chaperoned, at an Italian table d'hote
1t was one night after 1 had known
Tom for some months that an acct
dent occurred, which was unfortunate,
perhaps, as far as he was concerned,
but which was an excellent thing to
happen to me. Tom had stopped at the
Office to walk home with me to his own
home for dinner. Just as we came out
on the street it began to rain.
II think" l suggested, its going to
rain harder. Wed better stop at my
place and get an umbrella"
Apparently 1 was right. AS we came
to my door the rain came down in tor
rents.
Come OF upstairs, Tom" I suggest
ed accordingly land sit down in my
rybbers anyway, and this will be over
in a few minutes. There's no sense in
going out in il now"
81 guess you're right. Dr." admitted
Tom, and climbed the three flights Of
stairs behind me to my hall bedroom.
He sat on the edge of my cot while l
fumbled about getting out my second
best hat, my rubbers and veil, as
protection against the storm. From be-
meath my bed 1 took my dress suit case,
unlocked it with a little key which al
WAYS carried, and tumbled it's contents
out on the spread in search of a clean
handkerchief. With my ribbons and
trinkets 1 tumbled, careless girl that
l had always been, a little pile of gilt
tering ornaments. There were a jewel
ed bracelet, half dozen rings, a gold
linked purse and a few pins and neck
lace.
Probably, although l did not realize
it myself, my little horde of jewels
lars When they had been given to me,
months before, by various youthful ad-
mirers, 1 had not even priced them very
greatly. They did not compare with
the Jewels 1 had seen upon other wom-
en-, and which 1 had coveted. Thus l
tumbled them out now without a
thought. 1 did not realize how they
might look to Tom. Innocent hard
working Tom, who would have had to
save for years to buy me even one of
the baubles that had been thrown to
me so lightly. 1 did not even realize
that there was anything unusual in
these possessions of mine until L caught
the sound of Toms sharply indrawn
breath. l looked up smiling to meet his
glance.
why, Dir 1 heard him say why.
Di! Where in, the world did you get
those things?'
1 glanced back at the Jewelry on the
bed, puzzled.
FWhy, l don't know" 1 answered
carelessly enough. They've been given
to me at various times"
who gave them to you?" asked Tom.
| through dry lips"
man I've an