Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-09-18

myself, as Myrtle started to say some
thing, then stopped. confused, and with
a flushed face changed the subject.
"Oh, nothing at all; it didn't amount
TO anything" she replied flushing stu
more.
Il do wish you would go on and say
what you intended to-. insisted
You act as though 1 were a child and
not to be trusted. Please tell mel!
But it is really absurd for me to
mention it," protested Myrtle 1t
didn't amount to a thing"
IF it really is so trivial. why make
me coax you. Why not tell me what
you meant by that unfinished remark!
Something was in your mind; you
thought perhaps it might hurt me, so
you stopped in the middle of a SEN
tence. Come-what was it?'
"Do tell her." Miss Sloane interrupt
ed. She had as yet taken no part In
the argument. 1T really doesn't
amount to anything. You see, Mrs.
Drayton, / know what Myrtle was go
ing to say. You are not like some silly
woman to whom nothing can be said.
You have sense enough to know IL
was merely a coincidence"
For heavens sake tell me what you
two are talking about" l exclaimed
"or 1 shall burst with curiosity. Why
if the world do you beat around the
bush Ike this? Please tell me what
IL is all about
Myrtle looked anxiously at Miss
Sloane, who nodded reassuringly. Myr-
tie was usually so tactful, that l was
surprised at her embarrassment L
was not only surprised, but suspicious
If she had inadvertently let out some
thing-why l ought to know it, That
was IL IL had anything to do with me
or Robert.
You'll laugh at me, Margaret, for
even thinking you might object, be-
cause, of course, there really is moth
ing to which you could take excep-
lions" Myrtle parried, evidently still
hesitant.
well. what is it," I demanded, set
ting down my cup.
IT'S nothing only that Phyllis Law
son has gone to New York" Myrtle
answered. but 1 noticed she did not
look at me when she said it.
lis that ALP" 1 asked. and picking
I'D my cup / drained ii before 1 said
anything more. l felt cold hand
clutch my heart. however-was that
the reason Robert didn't want me to
go? Was 1t planned between them that
he and Phyllis Lawson would meet In
New York? Perhaps they would come
back together-perhaps they might
never return.
At the thought cold Precipitation
broke out all over me. My head be-
gan TO whirl Suppose this meant the
end-for me and-for Robert! Then
suddenly / realized that Miss Sloane
and Myrtle were looking strangely at
me.
"Of course you were foolish to think
a simple thing like Mrs. Lawson's visit
to New York could affect me in any
| way" I declared. Robert told me be-
/ fore he left she was going. Then
added, land they may return together
Il knew very well that you wero too
/ broad minded 10 care, yet l was afraid
If you knew nothing about it you might
worry a little" said Myrtle. ut would
be only natural. know 1 should"
I could not help. but wonder why
4 they were both so anxious 10 reas-
sure me II they really thought there
was nothing wrong.
as that all you had to tell? All you
| were making such a fuss over?"
| asked nonchalantly as possible. "Of
course I'm not worried; why should
/ be-"
Just what I said" declared Miss
| Sloanes.
81 honestly believe both of You
thought 1 would be jealous" l laughed
/ Don't JudRe me DN EoufbeiNSts plesiSS
1 surely am not jealous of my hus-
band. and even If I were I shouldn'
want 20 keep his love IL II was going
70 worry me all the time" In my
heart I begged to be forgiven for the
| untruth L was telling.
I knew I was talking idly. that l die
not mean one word had said. l was
| insanely jealous of Robert, and only
my intense pride enabled me 70 hide
| IT Then, too, / was absolutely wild
when I knew he was with Phyllis Law
son. But I would not let any one kno"
how I felt II l could help it,
~Of course she is Roberts client, and
may always have business 20 attend tC
when she is with him. But-she Is sc
lovely" Myrtle sighed. Phyllis Law
! sons looks always drew a sigh from
! MYRTLE. ! believe she envied her beau
~. although she was herself very good
| to look at, and considered a beautiful
! woman by many.
AS for me my Thoughts were all Of
| Robert.