Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-09-11
sometimes felt. 1 wonder what he would
have said. Nothing, probably.
LXXXII

er breakfast lne NSlAlOASAA az
- came with the car, and went
out for a long ride. I left the children
at home as 1 Intended to do all the driv-
ing to see what the car could do. 1t
was a glorious morning, and as we
raced along the country roads, the wind
blowing freshly in my face, sense OF
exhilaration swept away my morold
Thoughts of Robert and I thoroughly
enjoyed myself.
1t will help me forget 1 thought as
coming to a long stretch of road L put
on full speed and the car raced along.
You drive wonderfully, Mrs. Dray-
ton" the man at my side remarked. Il
don't see that you need any instruction
from me"
81 had a good deal of experience be-
/ fore 1 married" I returned.
Just then we rounded a corner, and
standing at the side of the road was
PHYLLIS Lawson. Her roadster, which
she drove constantly, had stalled ana
she greeted us with evident relief
Can your man assist me. Mrs. Dray-
toni" she asked.
Certainly" 1 answered in my most
detached manner.
The demonstration worked over her
car for a few moments, while she step
ped to the side of my car and said with
an admiring look:
what a lovely car, Mrs. Drayton
Did you order it painted? The combi-
nation is unusual. but so artistic.
MY husband bought the car" 1 an
swered shortly. Il had nothing to do
with it,"
| this woman. And 1 we'll knew, even be-
| fore 1 noticed the flush on her face
that my voice plainly told her of my
/ dislike.
"He has excellent taste" she replied
then, Just as she turned away, 1 return
ed sarcastically:
YES, believe he has, in other things
as well as in colors."
| I do not try to excuse my rudeness,
which 1 was astonished to see Tell VIDE
/ of its mark With a puzzled look on
her face she thanked the man, then me,
and climbed into her car and drove
away.
That night when Robert came in TO
dinner he said:
81 am glad you were able to assist
/ Mrs Lawson. 1t is rather dangerous
/ for a woman to drive alone on coun-
try road. especially if she has any trou-
BILE with her car"
How did you know 1 assisted herr"
1 asked.
"She was in the office this afternoon,
i anu AOAu oAAN 1RSNNN
/ of your kindness"
| So she had gone Immediately to Rob
| ert with the story. What for? Did she
want me to know just how intimate
/ they were?
| These were the thoughts my jeal-
/ ousy aroused. / never for a moment
believed she had gone on any particu-
| lar businessmen until long afterward.
| Foolish as IL may seem-and was
L uvaW q
/ deal of my pleasure in my car. 1 as
/ sociated IL now with Phyllis Lawson
/ and her friendship for Robert
BY this time / suspected that Har-
/ per Carleton was fast falling in love
| with me, and it soothed my wounded
| pride. vet / tried not to dwell on II. But
| did realize that he liked me well
| enough to want to please me, TO be
| thoughtful and generous with me. This
| knowledge is dangerous thing for a
| married woman to possess of any man
| not her husbapd.
| was not conceited in acknowledge
| ing Harper Carleton's liking for me
He had shown it plainly. too plainly !
| sometimes feared. Yet as far as my
| own feelings were concerned. / cared
only for the attentions he gave me,
the tribute he paid TO my looks, and
| his very evident delight in my society.
4
lect piqued me into allowing my friend
shin for Harper Carleton to verge close
to the danger point. / would show
| Robert, was always my thought when
! ever Harper Carleton was little too
! iemonstrative.
thought I was secure in my own
| consciousness that | meant no wrong
and would do no wrong. But no one
can prepare for anything so perfectly
that unexpected situations will not arise
which have to be met. The sum OF
/ experience is never finished. We add
/ to II each day, and If only we would
/ subtract each night that which is not
wise. how happy We might be. But
I was too young. too foolish. too un-
used TO depending on myself at that
time to understand these things.
The week following Myrtle's dinner
for Holland and TOD we also gave a
dinner for them. Robert wanted me 10
make ii rather a large affair, but ]
Objected I did not tell Robert, !
scarcely admitted 1T even to myself; but
| feared if I gave a large dinner he
would insist that 1 invite Phyllis Law
son. So I asked no one but Myrtle and
Ned, and the Mulhanys. We had bridge