Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-09-18
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making: and although he had
supposed me unconscious at the time
had determined to put an end to our
close friendship. But when 1 attempt
ed to act differently. Harper looked and
seemed so puzzled, pressed me so hard
for some reason for my altered manner
that. rather than tell him what 1 had
heard. i gradually relapsed.
Our new home was nearly finished
and spent q great deal OF time in Sc
lecting the draperies. etc. We would
use what furniture we had, as Robert
had suggested. until we felt We could
AFFORD to buy new. Then we would sell
the old and entirely refurnish- But as
the windows were Of a different size
and there were many more OF them.
was compelled TO buy curtains for near
ly all Of them. I used the old ones for
the third floor. the kitchen. and maids
room but even then they had to be re-
made. and the worn places cut away.
in the old house We had occupied ever
since we were married the nursery had
been somewhat OF a makeshift. as We
were cramped for room. But in the
new house we had made a large room
on the third floor into play room for
the children. with the nursery adjoin-
ing
we uau nEEM EANEAk1kdElN III nNAAllk
up these rooms so that they would be
attractive and absolutely sanitary. The
walls were covered with a washable pa
per. althOuEh IN the play room we had
a frseze o. Mother Goose characters
had fitted Up the nursery entirely in
white. even TO the floor covering. The
play room vas a little more elaborate
as far as the room itself went. There
was a broad and deep fireplace at one
end with rhymes from Mother Goose
above. and French windows which
swung outward on n covered balcony
with a high railing. In bad weather
they could play outdoors with no dan
ger o. setting wet, Robert had insist
ed upon this balcony as being neces-
Sary for the children's health. Their
sleeping room had windows on :wo
sides which were simply screened. so
that IL was practically a sleeping porch.
although we had the glass windows
also. which could be closed in bad
weather.
No one but a mother knows how happy
I was in arranging these rooms for my
darlings- A tiny bathroom. across the
hall, for their exclusive use. completed
our plans for their comfort Bruce's
pride ami delight in the arrangement was
amusing MY rooms he called them.
until I impressed upon his childish mind
LuEN UaUN SISTER SAA-AA Gu AA-EAA NAAGAAg
with him.
Myrtle helped me sew. and Harper in
sisted upon doing his share. He sent
the children several new toys. and then
came 70 help place them and TO hang some
pictures he had sent them Contrary to
the usual opinion that anything is good
enough for children. ne gave them excel
lent reproductions OF famous pictures.
Yet all subjects they could understand;
animals. children. etc.
We did all this while Robert was
away. and I almost forgot my indig-
nation at being left behind in the
thought OF his pleasure when he saw
what we had accomplished while he was
gone
Harper asked me once again to ride
with him. but I refused. pleading
nerves
I'm not quite over the accident"
/ told him.
But you go out in your own car. i
fiatter myself I am as expert as the
man you take with you" he eNpostulated.
TT isn't that. I don't blame you for
the ACCIDENT. But really I feel a little
nervous even in my own car. L
haven't tried TO drive myself since that
day.
"Tm sorry that anything should have
happened TO make you uneasy while
with me" he replied.
I'll soon get over it." 1 laughed. and
changed the subject That was another
thing about Harper When he once
saw that the conversation distressed me,
and avoided a subject. ee always quick
~ followed by lead. and did not insist
upon continuing the discussion
Robert avs that way. ! mean that
when a subject was once started he
would never let II drop until he had
or thought he had. convinced me. Of
ten l let him think I was satisfied Just
TO stop a discussion. when really l had
not changed my mind in the least. But
as / had said Robert was arbitrary. very
sure OF himself. very impatient OF any
one who disagreed with him.
Sometimes I used 10 wonder II Harper
had am disagreeabletraits, and II his
wife had suffered because Of them.
wished 7 had known his wife better. She
might have-even unconsc!ously told me
thinss about him which would have
made him seem less desirable