Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-09-04
CHAPTER LXXVII.
CHAPTER LAANII.
" HERE seemed to me a note of de-
fiance in his voice. But 1 met
il without excitement.

fiance in his voice. But 1 met
it without excitement.
Very well, I'll hurry Norah," 1 told
him. and as he ran up the stairs call
ing. Bruce! Betty" 1 hurried into the
kitchen to tell Norah to hasten the
\ dinner.
Mr.. Drayton is at home and in a
| hurry to go out" 1 explained as she
grumbled that when she planned to
have dinner at a set time she didn't
want to be interfered with. But as
repeated my orders. something in my
face must have caught her attention,
| for she promised to serve the meal as
quickly as possible.
AS 1 closed the door 1 heard her say
/ TO Martha, whom l had told to assist
her:
It's a shame, that's what it is! He
goes away and leaves her all alone,
they can't wait to eat a decent dinner
with her when he is here"
So even the servants noticed that
Robert neglected me. Ny first i'm
pulse was to follow him upstairs and
remain with him and the children
/ until dinner was served, but now L
determined to stay alone; and / closed
the door so that 1 might not hear him
romping with Bruce and Betty, nor
the Joy in their childish voices, because
daddy had come home.
Yes, 1 would make a real beginning
/ this time. 1 would show my indif-
ference to his coming. as 1 had about
his departure. l was so thankful 1
had not called the office and asked his
whereabouts, that almost every other
| emotion was swallowed up in that. Yet
could not help wondering if he would
| tell me where he had been. / would not
ask him II he did not
did YOU have a pleasant trip?" /
asked. to make conversation, and also
to give him a chance to tell me what
he would.
a busy trip" he replied, as he
helped himself to steak
81 went to the theater last night" L
volunteered after waiting little.
That's good. Did you enjoy the
play?"
VERY much" 1 answered, wonder
| ing If he were not curious as to whom
went with.
You should go often. you are so fond
OF the theater. What sort of play
| did you see?'
"A problem play"
81 think they are carrying that sort
| of thing to an extreme" he returned.
"Such plays make people morbid, they
give a false impression of life and liv-
| ing"
"oh. don't think So" I exclaimed,
thinking of the baby L had so enjoyed.
ut is because they are true to life that
they are so interesting"
You must look at them from diff
/ ferent angle. they impress me as I'M
healthy in the extreme"
Perhaps" 1 unused. and then, per
haps I look at life from different
angle also"
every likely. This steak is excel
lent. Margaret You better have an
other helping" He commenced to speak
OF the children:
They grow so fast. imagined Bet
ty has changed in these three days"
shes a dear" 1 exclaimed enthusi-
asticalIy. Here at least we could meet
on a common ground. We both adored
our children.
After a little more desultory CONVEX
sation Robert rose from the table, and
after again carelessly kissing me, he re-
marked:
Don't sit up 1 shall be Late
After the door closed L clenched my
hands until the nails cut into my flesh
to keep from screaming. l knew moth
ing of what he had done the last three
DAYS; he cared less than nothing how
/ had spent my time. Well. so be IT.
And putting on my hat / called a cab
and told the driver to take me to Myr-
ties. 1 could mott would not stay
alone,
well. this is a surprise" Ned said
when | went in. How does il happen
Won come out tonight? | thought Myrtle
said YOU had become glued to the house
Is any one III"
] NO: no one is ILL.," told him. But
I was lonesome and thought would
\ Infict myself on you for an hour"
Good girl" Myrtle declared. insist
ing that I take off my hat. Well call
up Harper Carleton and play bridge"
when is Robert coming homer" he
asked. after phoning and reporting that
| Harper was out.
| He came this afternoon" l answer
ed, as carelessly as I could
why didn't he come over with you?
Myrtle asked.
He had to leave Immediately after
dinner to keep a business engagement
BY the way. Margaret, where has