Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-04-29

my-no, Armies secret
Come home early, Frank: I may
have something to tell you.
great one the others will be innoc-
uous, l am afraid. Take care or
Yourself" and with a kiss of love he
was gone.
But my confession was doomed to
wait. About o'clock Mrs. Curry
called up and said she was giving a
Lawrence Hart and yourself" she
said. 1t is Armies birthday, you
know"
| had forgotten all about it., So
as soon as ! called Frank and told
him he was to go directly from the
Office as it was to be very early
and informal affair because of Mrs.
Curry's health, [ hurried down to
a jewelers. to buy Annie a birthday
gift. [ found a dainty flexible brace
let, then after making arrangements
to have it marked later l stopped
at the florists and bought her TWEEN
ty-one roses. Those sent Win
Franks card.
went over early. Mrs. Curry had
ordered a lovely dinner for us, and
her cook had made the usual cake
with twenty-one candles. She was
as excited as if she, not Annie, were
twenty-one and it was her party.
Annie returned from her work, bring
ing an immense box of flowers. Then
lastly Frank also came. Mr.. and
Mrs. Curry had given Annie very
pretty brooch. We laid our gifts
beside her plate, and her surprise
and delight were very real.
You are all so good to me. Her
voice held tears. and Mr.. Curry made
a quick facetious remark, so cover
ing her emotion and allowing her 10
recover herself. She jumped up from
the table and girlishly kissed Mrs;
Curry and me, while she thanked
every one very prettily.
The dinner was great success.
lust as we were about to rise from
the table Lawrence Hart said, look
ing at Annie with a smile:
shall 1 tell them, Annie, or will
You tell them, please"
Chapter LxxVII
WAS almost as surprised as
was Frank when Lawrence
= said:
sAnnie has promised to mar
ry me. Mr.. and Mrs. Curry have
kindly said they approve and have
expressed themselves so to us. Now,
ali that is lacking is to know that
you and Frank also approve. An
ME would not consent TO wear my
ring until she had told you" He
took a ring box from his pocket and
slipped a solitaire on Armies finger
BLESS you, my children; bless
YOU" Franks pleasantly held
strained note, not because of any
regret over Annie, I was sure, but
because of his natural embarrass-
ment.
Il am so glad, Annie But you
can't leave me-
who said anything about her
leaving you. Know all present that
Annie Fagin would not promise to
marry me until 1 had given full and
free permission to her to continue
her work with Olive"
laughingly replied. So, amid much
banter and happy laughing talk, we
adjourned to the drawing room,
where Annie sang for us.
Before we went home Annie and
I slipped away together.
you are sure you love him? 1t
isn't" I hestitated to put my
thought into words.
Because of you or Frank? No,
Olive, dear. I am very happy and
love Lawrence very dearly 1 think
did all the time. But l was so
miserable because [ thought you
were worried and unhappy that I
scarcely knew my own mind, or
cared what became of me. And,
Olive-I am sure Frank cares moth
ing for any one but you. Why, he
looks at you as if he could eat you.
He scarcely noticed meat ali. And
he hasn't tried to see me since l
a foolish note he wrote me
when L first came over here to live
foil
should take any other letters he
wrote to Mr.. Curry and that L also
should tell you. He didn't really
care for me any of the time. 1t was
lust because I was there and amused
him" She finished naively, coming
nearer the truth than she knew.
Il think you are right, Annie" I
replied. Then 1 told her of my com
ing happiness, of Franks delight,
and of how happy we were together.
He turned to you because [ took
no pains to keep him." L explained.
Never make the mistake of turn
woman to be entertained. 1t is
dangerous if she is plain. But if she
is pretty and fascinating it is sui
cidal."
We talked until Lawrence became
and called us to come
down.
Il thought you were going to stay
away until time to 60" he apollo
gized.
1T is time for Frank and me to
go now. You can remain a little
longer if you will promise to be
good"
Thank you, fair lady; 1 shall do
my utmost
You are pleased?" I asked Mr..
Curry as he bade me good night.
Very. He, is a fine chap. When
may I tell them, Olive? It is hardly
fair to keep it any longer. Not that
it will make a particle of difference
to him, but when Annie said to me