Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-20

CHAPTER CXXVIu.
y y'AS at the handkerchief counter
of a department store. 1t was
- Myrtle's birthday and 1 scarcely
knew what to give her. So l had de-
cided on a box of fine handkerchiefs.
Did you see Judge Drayton and
Phyllis Lawson at Cline's restaurant
the other night?" / heard a voice near
me say.
l turned slightly, hoping to glimpse
the speakers face, but failed, although
easily caught her companions an
swer
Yes; wonder how Mrs. Drayton
likes it? They were completely alb
sorbed in each other. / tried to catch
her eve to bow, but couldn't l al
ways like to speak to her. She is
wonderful success; you know. Her
last book created a regular Juror"
81 know; we must get it. The Judge
was her lawyer when she secured her
divorce, YOU know" the first speaker
returned, Il imagine they were talk
ing some business. 1 can't believe the
judge would have an affair he is too
cold and too dignif1ed. My husband
says he'll make fine Judge. The
men all swear by him"
Some woman, too!' the other an
swered. I'm not so sure there's not
something besides business between him
and Phyllis Lawson. These cold. quiet
if the right woman comes along, and
Just then their change came and they
moved away.
Without waiting for my change
rushed from the store. My mind was
in a perfect tumult of jealous rage of
despair, humilia ton. | would be ST.
lent no longer! l would tell Robert
now. at once, that ! was aware of his
1nfatuatlon. told my chauffeur to
drive to the office.
I rushed past Miss Bailey, who looked
at me in establishment and mumbled
something about Mr.. Drayton being
busy, and bolted into Roberts private
Office.
A cold fury possessed me at what I
saw. At first my brain whirled, and
faintness came over me- then as sud-
denly became cold, calm. desperate.
Robert was standing beside his desk
Before him stood Phyllis Lawson, more
beautiful than ever, both her hands
pressed aginst Roberts breast and
| looking up at him with the light of de-
| yotion in her eyes.
| | had held my breath while my
| brain caught and registered what 1
| saw in the space before they sprang
| apart. Was l to have nothing but
pain and distrust for the rest of my life ?
| Was there never ITO be any more peace
| for me. In my anguish of spirit
| Romeli's offer flashed before my Wis
ION. l would accept his proposition. l
! would go with him on his concert tour.
| Robert could not prevent me. And then
| ne could freely follow his own inclina-
/ ton. | would not remain where l was
made so miserable, and where 1 was
sure-to see
II was just thanking the judge for
| all he has done for me as
Il suppose So" l interrupted with a
sneer. 81 am sorry to have so rudely
| interrupted you. But l stopped in
| Robert" l turned to him, ito tell you
I shouldn't be at home for dinner
| Ned's away, and am going up to Myr-
ties. Good afternoon, Mrs Lawson.
| Good-by, Robert"
| rushed from the office Long aft
erward l remembered that Robert had
F, not once spoken.
I went Immediately to my room and
| locked myself in. I knew suddenly
| that I must get away. that I could
| endure 1t no longer. Even in my panic
and my anger my mind was working
| steadily. In looking back over that
day it seems as if fate gave me every
| chance to assure myself that my worst
4
passed since then; but l still tremble
and grow cold when L think of the suf-
| fering of that day.
| A soft, warm breeze came in at my
| window and the trees stirred lazily.
Sunset was fading to twilight. yet I
| still stood gazing across at the hills.
| seeing nothing but the wreck of my
! own life.
had no fear that Robert would
| i,
| and admittance to Martina and the chill
dren. claiming one of my headaches.
! 1t may seem easy TO say, 81 wouldn't
| have cared for a man who cared so lit
tie for me-" and unconsciously 1 said
| the words Then suddenly into my sick
| and weary mind there flashed vision
of Robert with Phyllis Lawson in his
arms. My throat contracted. My head
swan. I left the window and dropped
into a chair, hiding my face with my
| hands.
What were they doing tonight ]
had not the slightest doubt but that he
was with her. l myself had made it
easy for them to be together. Were
they working and planning for her flu
! ture success-his was assured-and
forgetting everything but themselves?
Were they so much in love that they
were wishing me out of the way?
Twilight had faded into night and
still 1 sat there, trying to pierce the
future, black and hopeless without
| Robert.
III do it," I finally muttered. III
do it, I'm so terribly alone"
And before l went to bed had writ
ten Signor Romeli accepting his offer
to become his pianist for the coming
, season.
CHAPTER CEXIX.
HYRTLE rushed into my room
/ MI a letter in her hand
/ A'A Don't scold Martha for not
announcing me! It's all my fault she
commenced. II just couldn't wait fol
her to tell you I was here. I've had
letter from Holland, and told yot
you didn't half appreciate Robert
/ he's"
What in the world has Hollands
letter got to do with my appreciation Of
Robert?" I asked, interrupting her
amused by her GREATNESS enthusiasm
"Oh, he's one man in thousand!
wasn't at liberty to tell you what
knew before--even 10 you. DON
know that | should speak of it now
But you remember that last visit Hol
land made. when she came on alone anC
only remained few days. If you re
call it. she spent most of her time witt
Robert, consulting him. had fool