Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-21

I could see he was pleased. The papers
were full of praise of him. and they
| predicted great things for "the rising
young lawyer"
But with his position came greater
responsibilities: more demands upon his
/ time. often felt almost as If / were
living with 2 stranger, and once laugh
/ ingly told him:
Il shall soon require an introduction
I to YOU, Robert"
I'm sorry, Margaret: but my work
! demands my time and my strength
/ You are well, have the children, and
your friends. What more can you
ask?"
Nothing. Robert And again 1
| laughed. this time Historically.
OF course L needed nothing more than
the things ne had enumerated. But oh.
how I wanted more, L was beginning
to believe that Robert would never give
me the love and affection l craved.
He hasn't time!" 1 thought cyni-
cally.
Margaret you simply must under
stand that my life cannot be ruled by
foolish. trivial things. My goal is yet
a long way of and if reach ii 1 must
bend every thought. every energy to its
accomplishment. Every hour of my
time also"
What is this goal you are giving
up everything to reach?" l asked. now
as unnaturally calm as before I had
been hystericaL The idea for which
YOU are willing to cruelty all else?"
had nearly said me"
That is my secret, Margaret. When
it is an accomplished fact we will talk
of il. not before. As to crucifying any
one, that is all nonsense"
After he left l sat for a long time
without moving. Why was he so stern
adm hard? Was il only to me, or did
he show this side of his character to
others? As 1 thought of his uncom-
promising attitude. a wave of self-pity
surged over me, and 1 commenced to
cry. 1t had been months since 1 had
given way to my feelings and the long
pent up emotions once looseG soon were
beyond my control, and / wept and
sobbed for hours. Finally j pulled my
self together and bathed and dressed.
When I was finished L gave but little
evidence of the storm through which
had passed, save unnatural pallor As
] looked at myself i'm the mirror I reg
istered a vow: 1 would be as indiffer-
tent as was Robert. l would change my
mode of living entirely. With his new
position there was, / knew, a great adj
vance in salary"
tain as 1 had long wished. 1 would do
so. Then, too. I would resume my
music. / would study hard, some time
might need to use ii for a livelihood
And my face hardened as 1 thought
how little Robert would miss me if
were away; but my heart contracted
as my own loneliness without him
rushed over me. Ia was indignant be-
cause of my husbands actions, his
that / loved him, that L always should
The brooding silence that had hem
med me in was almost unbearable. in
society. music and other diversions 7
would at least forget for a time that
1 was that pitifuI thing. a neglected
wife
That night when Robert came home
he told me he had bought a musical
cabinet for me, and that 1 had better
go down and select any records I
liked.
at will amuse the children. too.
ne added. after telling me of his pur-
chase. They are old enough now TO
be interested in some of the children's
records; aside from their delight in
music"
Both of the children. Bruce especial
ly, were very fond of music, and would
keep still for hours If I would play for
tnem but tnlS would obViate the ne
cessity and I welcomed the instrument
AS giving me more time for my serious
practice.
A scream from upstairs startled US!
ran up. and Joined my cries to those
of Betty and Matilda Ny baby had
in some way gotten a match. and in
playing with il had set her little dress
On fire
Robert! Oh. Robert. Quick" /
screamed in agony, and before I had
stopped calling he was in the room, had
snatched up the rug, and pulled Betty
by main force from my arms and en-
veloped her in II, at the same time tell
ing me:
Lie down there, Margaret. Do as
say! Lie down on that rug and roll!
Help hcr. Matilda!' he ordered, Just as
felt the flames on my bare flesh.
l threw myself down and rolled over
and over until the fire which had caught
my sleeve as I held the baby was ex-
tinguished. then promptly tainted
When / recovered the doctor was there
and was dressing my darling's burns
while her father held her. They were
not serious, although they were very
painful. and the poor little thing moan
ed and cried all the time they we're
being dressed. I had one bad burn on
my arm. and several insignificant ones
on my hands.
You were very brave, Margaret"
Robert said. The child would have
burned to death had il not been for
you. The fire was nearly smothered
when I rook her"