Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-10-05
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CHAPTER XCXIII.

L a
had a chance to talk TO me again
- then after a little desultory CONVEX
sation. he said:
BE sure, Margaret, that in your de-
sire for your husbands company you
do not interfere with his business. it
Interfere" 1 exclaimed, astonished
that father should speak so, how
could 1? Why father, Robert never
lets me know a thing about his at
fairs. nor even speak OF them TO him.
He is the most secretive man about
his business that ever lived"
II am very glad of that. Women,
especially young women. are often in
discreet A professional man especial
~ should neither discuss his affairs,
nor allow them to be discussed by any
one else"
But his wife. father. Ought she
not to know something of his inter-
ests. his businessT
NO; emphatically. no. Your husband
is a lawyer. He is the repository OF
others affairs. even their secrets. both
social and financial. Suppose he talk
ed. gossiped about his clients. You are
a woman, and no different from other
women. \ careless word. an unwise re-
mark dropped here and there, and the
trouble is made. Your husband loses
Margaret. you attend to your home and
your children. and let Roberts bust
ness alone. Help him all you can by
being economical. and keeping his home
a restful, pleasant place for him to
come 20 when business is over, but
don't try 10 know his affairs. which
are really not his, but his clients 3"
I made no reply. but thought men
were all alike A woman must not
want to do anything OF which they, the
lords of creation. disapprove. I knew
that father. like brother Bruce. would
uphold Robert in anything he might do.
Father and Helen left us on. July s.
The Fourth had been one long dream
Of delight for Bruce. one long, anxious
worry for me-and Helen She shared
my fear that something would happen
TO the children.
Father had been more than generous,
and all day long torpedoes and fire
crackers had sizzled and popped on the
lawn. Then. Just asssoon as IL became
dusk. he had brought out quantities OF
skyrockets. pinwheels, and wonderful
set pieces, besides many other contrap-
tions dear 10 the heart OF boy. Betty
had been put to bed. but Bruce dane
ed frantically about between his father
and his grandfather. so excited. so hap
py. that I hadn't the heart to send him
n until the last piece had been set off.
Then nothing would do but that grand
IA must carry him upstairs. BY the
time they reached the top his little
curly head was hanging Imply across
fathers shoulder. and he never waken-
ed. even when Martha undressed him.
The beNt DAY was Sunday, and we
spent IL quietly at home. The chill
dren were tired and rather fretful, so
NE N
the car with Martha. while we elders
sat on the broad piazza and either talked
OF read as the mood seized us.
Ned and Myrtle came over 20 bid
father and Helen goodbye. Theirs had
been the only home into WHICH we had
i7veigled father. and he and Myrtle
had gotten along splendidly. Her
brusqUeness, her breeziness seemed to
appeal TO father and he dropped a good
deal of his dignity when with her. Ned
pretended 10 be Jealous, and declared
he would not be a bit surprised if Myrtle
would be wanting to go to New York
soon The rogue knew she was plan
ming a visit to Holland and Tod, but
father seemed really pleased at the i'm
plication Helen enjoyed the joke, and
laughed heartily when 1 told her that
Myrtle had intended going before she
ever met father.
IN the morning OF the SlNIDs the en-
tire household was up early, ready TO
escort father and Helen TO the train
When finally we saw them aboard and
the train was ready TO pull out. Bruce
cried Justify to go with grandpa, and
BETTY cried because he did.
For goodness sake take those chill
dren home" Robert said to me. laugh
ing in spite of himself. but embarrassed,
as are all men by crying children.
Aren't you coming with us?" asked.
1t is only o'clock. and you ate scarce
IL any breakfast
NO, indeed. / have too much to do
AT the office to think of a second break
fast Then, too, I have wasted so much
time in the last two weeks that shall
have 10 work day and night to make
II up"
So il was to be the same old story.
Just as soon as we were alone he was
going TO remain away on the plea Of
accumulated business. Well, / would
at least let him know what I thought
about IL. so ] said:
Il should prefer Won to attend to