Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-04-22

Why, you would think I was one of
them instead of Justine"
1t was shortly after this conversa-
ton that Mr.. Curry came to see me.
L was surprised. as it was very un-
usual for him to make calls-espe-
cially, unless accompanied by Mrs.
Curry.
'If you look so surprised 7 shall
think L am not welcome" the old
gentleman said as I offered COM
Portable chair. Il want to talk about
Annie"
Had I known that Mr.. Curry was
aware of Franks infatuation for
Annie I could not have talked as
freely as I did.
''I think I have that Fagin where
he will tell the truth about Annie. L
haven't said so to her for fear Of ex-
their child-and I am positive she is
mother parentage may not be any
Improvement upon the present situa-
ton. And it may be infinitely more
embarrassing for her. You know the
Fagins are out of her life now, al
though from what l have seen of
him it might be that if she ever was
so situated the ycould bleed her they
might try. But they know she has
nothing SO have made no such at
tempt"
You mean--that she might be an
yes, 1 think it more than prob
able. The longer she is with US the
more thoroughly convinced am I that
she does not belong to those Fagins.
Yet if she was born in wedlock why
should she have been entrusted to
them? She has gentle people back of
her. on one or both sides. She shows
it in her every movement and in her
physical perfection. But what I
wanted to talk to you about was the
very contingency you suggested.
Should she prove to be an illegiti-
mate child shall we tell her-or let
her go on thinking she is a Fagin?'
Tell her by all means. l am sure
she rather mistrusts that is the case.
think she almost would prefer it
should be than to have it proved that
she belonged to those people whom
she says she tried to love and could ;I
not-even when she was little
Every well. l shall take your ad-
vice. Will you come to my. office
tomorrow afternoon? I had thought
| to ask Frank, but think it would be
| better if you came. Fagin is to be
| finish up this matter with him."
"Of course l will come"
"In the meantime try and get An
ME to go over all she remembers OF
her childhood with you. We must be
dDlS 10 uelGCL DIS Idl dS POSolOAC IL
Fagin is lying. OF course he gets no
money until we have proof. But 1t
may save us time to be able to re-
| flute or confirm what he tells us"
The next day 1 talked with Annie,
| leading up to the subject in careless
way that would not let her know
| why I did so. She became so excited
when we talked of her parentage, SO
anxious it should be proved she did
not belong to the Fagins, that I hat
| ed to arouse her hopes again, only
| perhaps to have it amount to. moth
| ing. Mr.. Curry was not at all posi-
| tive he should get Fagin to confess
anything, although the man needed
money, and for that reason might be
induced to tell what he knew.
sleep. Annies name on his lips
broken love words which made me
almost discouraged. A sort of sick
| terror crept over me. Would my
husband ever love me again? Sup
pose I never won him back. Could
| bear to go through the years with
him-even if he should remain will!
me-knowing he did not love me:
That even in his sleep another wom-
ans name was on his lips, coupled
with words of love and longing?
I could bear it no longer.
Wake up, Frank! You are telling
me all your secrets" / said in a voice
! | tried to make steady.
"Eh-whats that? Talked in my
sleep? What did l say?''
"Oh, 1 woke you up before you did
much except humble! l should have
wa1ted ara let you tell me-
Nonsense! l am sorry I disturbed
/ YOU"