Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-06-06

brilliant, Ind the lights touched her
thick chestnut hair with a ruddy
glory, so that more than one man
turned to watch her pass, and the
idly contemptuous indifference OF
more than one woman ended at her
neck and chin.
What Rue ate she never afterward
remembered 1t was all merely a
succession of delicious sensations for
the palate, for the eye, for the ear
when the excellent orchestra was
playing some gay overture from one
of the newer musical comedies or
comic operas.
Brandes at times seemed to shake
off a growing depression and rouse
himself to talk to her, even Jest
with her. He smoked cigarettes oc-
casionally during dinner, a thing he
served, he lighted one of his large
cigars.
Rue, excited under an almost
childishly timid manner, leaned on
the table with both elbows and link
ed fingers, listening, watching every
thing with an almost GREATNESS IN
telligence which strove to compre-
bend.
People left; others arrived, the mu-
sic continued. Several times people
passing caught Brandes' eye, and
bowed and smiled. He either &C
slight and almost surly nod, or lgnor-
ed them altogether.
One of his short, heavy arms lay
carelessly along the Aack of his
chair, where he was sitting sideways
looking at the people in the lobby
ton of foreboding of which he had
been conscious from the first mo-
ment he had entered the city line,
What reason for Apprehension ne
had he could not understand. only
an hour lay between him and t tne
hours and he and this girl beside
him would be at sea.
Once he excused himself, went out
to the desk, and made an inquiry.
But there was no telephone or tele-
graph message for him; and he came
back chewing his cigar.
Finally his uneasiness drew him
to his feet again.
Rue" he said, I'm going out to
telephone to Mr.. Stull. 1t may take
some little time. You don't mind
waiting. do you?"
NO" she said.
Don't you want another ice or
something"
She confessed that she did.
. SO he ordered it and went away.
AS she sat leisurely tasting her
ice and watching with unf1agging in
terest the people around her, she no
ticed that the dining-room was already
three-quarters empty. People were
leaving for came, theater or dance;
few remained.
Of these few, two young men in
evening dress now arose and walked
toward the lobby, one ahead of the
other. One went out; the other, IN
the act of going, glanced casually at
her as he passed, hesitated, halted,
smiling half innlirin0lV.
came toward her.
Jim Neeland!" she exclaimed i'm
pulsively. II mean Mr.. Neeland-
a riot of color flooding her face.
But her eager hand remained out
stretched. He took it, pressed 1T
lightly, tremendously, and, still
standing, continued to smile down
Amid all this strange, Internal gilt
ter; amid city of six million strang-
ers, suddenly to encounter famil-
lar face-to see somebodyAanybod body
from Gayf1eld-seemed a miracle
too delightf gio to p. be be true u: said 4
You know, we met only once be-
fore"
Rue, conscious of the startled in
timacy of her first greeting, blushed
with memory. But Neeland was
yOuHS 41O ESoAo OaSAAJ ,
with his very engaging smile:
1T was nice of you to remem-
Der me so frankly and warmly: YoN
have no idea how pleasant 1t was
to hear a Gayfield voice greet me
as Jim"
"I-didn't intend to
please intend it in future, Rue.
You don't mind. do you?"
No"
And will you ever forget that
magnificent winter night when we
drove to Brookhollow after the
party?"
Il have-remembered it."
for somebody? OF course you are"
he added, laughing, But may sit
down for moment?
Yes, 1 wish you would"
So he seated himself, lighted a
cigarette, glanced up at her and
When did you come to New
York;" he asked.
Tonight"
We'll, isn't that a bit Of luck to
run into you like this! Have you
come here to study art?"
NO. Yes, I think, later, 1
am to study art here"
AT the League?"
Better go to the League" he said.
DSS (A1CIS o1Iy way DO SoN AAAAO "
where it is?'
NO" she said.
He called a waiter, borrowed pen
Gil and pad, and wrote down the adj
dress of the Art Students League.
He had begun to fold the paper when
second thought seemed to strike
him, and he added his own address,.
lin case I can do anything for
you in any way" he explained.
Rue thanked him, opened her reti-
Guile, and placed the folded paper
there beside her purse.
II do hope l shall see you soon
again." he said, looking gaily, almost
This certainly resembles fate. Don
ours?"
"Fate?" she repeated.
Yes. 1 should even call it roman
tic. Don't you think our meeting this
way resembles something very much
like romance"
She felt herself flushing. tried to
smile:
ut couldn't resemble anything"
she explained with quaint honesty,
because 1 am sailing for Europe to-
morrow morning; 1 am going on board
in less than an hour. And also-also'
"Also?"-he prompted her, amused,
yet oddly touched by her childishly
literal reply.
81 unmarried"
Good Lord!" he said.
"This morning" she added, tasting
her ice.
And you're sailing for Europe on
your honeymoon he exclaimed.
We'll, upon my word! And what is
your ship?"
THE Lusitania."
Really! 1 have a friend who is
sailing on her-a most charming
woman. 1 sent flowers to her only
an hour ago"
Did you?" asked Rue, interested.
ayes. She is widow--the Prin-
cess MiStchenka-a delightful and
pretty woman. 1 am going to send
note to the steamer tonight saying
that-that my very particular friend
Ruhannah Carew, is on board, and
won't she ask NOu to tea. You'll love