Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-02-09

Q o I packed a handbag and n dress
suit case and after hastily scrib-
bling n note and placing it on my
dresser L left my home to seek my for
tune. Perhaps il was not a very brave
thing 10 do. Undoubtedly | was fleeing
temptation rather than face if. But after
all, however bewildering it might be,
this was, nevertheless, a step in the
right direction. Before 1 always had
rushed 10 meet any temptation that
came my way. Perhaps in time now
/ might gather strength not only TO face
temptation but to look it coldly in the
eyes and turn my back upon it, At the
moment this was enough.
had written my mother, Il am
going away for a few days, anyway.
[ have plenty of money with me, so
don't worry. There is no particular
reason for my going, only that / am
tired to death of all the friends 1 have.
L want to get away from them. AS long
as / stay home I'll never be able to-.
Perhaps I'll start fresh by myself. You
will hear from me in a few days. Diana"
Strangely enough, l felt at loss
as 1 realized Twas actually on my way
to seek my fortune. Many times in the
past had | been on the city streets
alone, even after dark. But now II
seemed different. | felt nervous. | walk
because / was utterly inexperienced
and had not a very clear idea, anyway,
of how far money could be made to go,
/ gave the chauffeur the name of one of
the better grade hotels in town. | would
at least stop there over might. 1t would
give me time to test the strength of
my good resolutions. Also my decision
TO leave everything behind and start
fresh was so new that my mind was still
in a state of chaos. L wanted a few
hours in which to think.
At once, when the taxi drew up de-
fore the hotel door, 1 felt refreshed
more at home. People were about me.
The kind of people 1 knew and ad-
mired. bell boy took my bag and
ushered me TO the desk to register. l
asked for a room and bath without
asking any price. After being whirled
upstairs in the elevator, | found myself
most comfortably ensconced in spa
cious bedroom. Slowly l drew off my
gloves. l threw my hat upon the bed
Now what? Perhaps it would be well,
thought, to have my dinner served up
stairs, to count the money that was in
my purse and find out how far it would
go. To try and determine a future
mode of conduct.
/ took the little pocket tablet from
my vanity case, drew out small gold
pencil and started to do some figuring.
In q perfunctory manner l jotted down
an item or two that ! thought l must
have. 1 wrote approximately what /
thought it would cost me to live. l knew
would have to find boarding house,
that 1 could that would be tomorrow.
Tonight was for thought. This was the
time l would allot to putting my house
in order"
1 had been sitting quiet ten minutes
in my chair without having added
further to my list before 1 realized it.
Then L noticed my foot was tapping
rythmically. Gradually it dawned upon
me that the strains of the dance music
from the summer garden in the rotunda
were drifting in through my half open
window. The music called TO me as al
luringly as a human voice. Surely l was
too young TO spend a whole evening oc-
cupied by my thoughts alone in my own
room! Alone, when a few floors be-
meath me people were dancing and dining
and having a good time! Scarcely real
izing what / did l smoothed my hair and
readjusted my hat. Still almost in a
trance l locked the door of my room
behind me and made my way toward
where l could hear the orchestra play
ing.
As l got into the elevator a man fol-
lowed me- l raised my glance to his
and saw his eyes fastened upon my face
with a look of admiration to which, un-
fortunately 1 was too well accustomed,
My spirits were coming back. All the
youth in me called aloud for good time.
[ dimpled and smiled
Good evening"" said the stranger. II
didn't recognize you just at first. Are
you joining any one or may we talk for
a few momentsT'
Il am alone" l said, and we left the
elevator together.