Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-03
CHAPTER XLVI.
n YRTLE CALDWELL burst into
M my room the next day so full
of excitement she could scarce

ly speak.
What do you think Margaret! Hol-
land is engaged to Tod Freeman. They
are to be married almost Immediately, as
he has to go to South America on busi-
ness and wants to take her with him.
Aren't you terribly surprised? 1 never
mistrusted they care for each other, did
you?"
Myrtle's excited speech had given me
time to pull myself together. At first
was dazed, Tod Freeman and Holland
Lansing. I had never dreamed of such
a thing. 1 grew hot, then cold as the
thought required to me of how nearly 1
had confided my jealous fears concern
ing Robert and Holland to Tod the day
before. A wave of thankfulness envel-
oped me, not only that I had refrained
from showing my suspicious jealousy,
but that Holland Lansing was to be TAX
en- away. Even now that 1 knew she
was to marry Tod. that was the thing
which stood out plainly in all Myrtle's
unexpected news.
Indeed I am surprised, Myrtle, and
delighted. Tods a good sort, and will
make her a good husband" I answered
To my surprise I found little note OF
chagrin at Tods detection creeping in.
I had looked upon him as my property
in a sort of a way, due perhaps in
great measure to what had been said
to me anent his remaining a bachelor
because of me, my refusal to marry him.
II rather thought your brother might
be the one," Myrtle unused slowly. He's
much more attractive than Tod"
Love goes where it's sent" I laugh
ed. my feeling Of joy that Holland would
no more tempt my husband, that her in
fluence in my life would cease, over
mastering every other sensation.
I'm going to give a dinner for them,
I want you and Robert, Howard Cutting,
Miss Sloane, and I think Harper Garlic
ton and his wife. 1 did think of having
several more, but Holland begged me SO
hard to have 1t only small affair that
/ gave in. You think Robert will come,
don't you? 1t is so hard to get him
nowadays"
yes, it is hard, Myrtle, no one knows
how hard but me. But I rather think
he will manage to come to your dinner
when I tell him II is for Holland to an
nounce her enga cement"
DO you know Margaret there was
time when I imagined you were jealous
of Holland. Had it not been utterly
ridiculous 1 should have leased you
about it. l used to think your express
sion changed, that queer hard look
came into your eyes whenever they
talked to each other before you. You'll
think I'm a silly to mention it, but
honestly I thought it-only once or
twice, so don't look so distressed"
So, in spite of trying to conceal it I
had made Myrtle suspicious. In the
future 1 must learn to control myself
better.
"Of course you were silly" I re-
sponded, smiling. why, Robert is too
busy trying to make a name and for
tune for himself. to bother with any
woman; and 1 am too busy tending
babies to have time for jealousy"
And too sensible. 1 don't think I
ever knew any one so young as you
are, Margaret, who kept themselves so
cool and Indifferent. I never see you
show any special excitement over any
thing. Now I, we'll Ned says I wear
myself all out enthusing. Perhaps.
do, but that is better than worrying
as you do. and saying nothing to any
one about what worries you
She looked keenly at me,
spit it out, Margaret. whatever 1t
is, and you'll feel better. Excuse my
inelegance, dear, and don't think 1 am
trying to force your confidence. But
tell Robert or your brother Bruce. He
seemed to have a whole lot of common
sense. But do something before your
looks are gone entirely. You used to
be so pretty, with your lovely color.
Now you are always pale, and your eyes
heavy. Brace up, Margaret. Be a.
sport"
After Myrtle left 1 sat for some time
quietly thinking over what she had told
me, first about Holland and Tod II
wondered if Robert would be sorry, and
I hoped he would not hear of 1t until
he came home that I would be the first
one to tell him so that 1 could observe
the effect it had on him. Of course,
Mrs. Lawson might have crowded Hol-
land out to such an extent that he
would not care as much as he might had
it happened before the beautiful Phyl-
lis came to him.
Then I thought of what Myrtle had
said and I knew she spoke truthfully
1 had become so wrapped in my own
miserable ideas that I felt scarcely
any emotion save only when my jeal-
ousy gripped me, and. locked In my
room, l gave way to hySterical weep
ing. 1 felt and acted Indifferent at
other times.
Finally l walked over to the mirror
Yes, I was pale, almost pasty: and my
eyes were dull, my lids dropping. II
looked thirty instead of twenty-five.
For a moment hated Robert for the
change in me. He, and he alone, was
to blame" I thought, as I studied my
reflection in the glass 1 rearranged my
hair. then rouged my cheeks. Yes, my
paleness had much to do with my al
tered looks. Well that was easily
remedied. I said aloud as 1 busted a
little powder over the rouge, and sat
down to wait for Roberts return.