Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-04-21

Anthony Hartman has persuaded
knows nothing of life, to marry him
secretly.
CHAPTER III
A NTHONY spied Charlotte's fly
II ing figure from distance and
1 n instantly he was out of the
buggy, and had flung the reins
around the whip post. He was wait
ing for her when she came up to
him.. and for a moment they did not
speak, as he held her close. He could
feel the hard beating of her heart
and the quick little breaths that
seemed to shake her slight body.
mot frightened, are your" he ask
ed finally, as he helped her into the
buggy.
She shook her head. Not with
you" The words came in a whisper.
Her eyes under the wide-brimmed
hat were like stars.
They drove on through the starry
night, the road stretching like a sill
yer ribbon before them, little breaths
from the hay fields on each side OF
them filling the world with sweet
ness. Charlotte was huddled close
against Tony as though she trusted
him implicitly and for a time they
didn't talk.
Il thought Greenville would be the
best place. he said finally. No one
knows you over there, so / drove
over yesterday and fixed things up
Charlotte did not answer.
down to look into her face. you're
not unhappy about anything. are
you?"
She shook hsr head In quick denial
and again they were silent. Soon
the lights Of Grenvills began to CLEAN
ahead Of them. and Charlotte sat up
straight a. they drove into the viii
house ma street that was little
more than a lane.
Afterward everything seemed blur
red in her mind. There were the
tall, thin, kind-faced minister and his
little wife, the small living room
big cat that dozed in an old-fash-
Toned rocking chair. Charlotte had
a fleeting memory Of all this before
she stood up beside Tony but moth
ing was very clear in her mind, her
heart was beating SO very loud, and
her breath was coming fast just as
though she had been running.
The minister read in a slightly
droning voice out Of a little book,
and Charlotte made her answers in
a quick, frightened little, voice that
sounded strangely unlike her usual
tones. Tony's answers were loud
and firm; they comforted her. And
then suddenly it was all over, and
Tony had drawn her to him. A ring
glistened on the third. finger of her
left hand, and she looked at it curl
ously. Somehow it did not look a
bit like wedding ring. 1t was the
color of silver; a slim circle ex-
know that it was platinum and that
Tony had sent to New York for it,
and that it cost fifty times as much
as the plain thick gold band that
her mother wore. She wished child
ishly that Tony had given her a
feel so much more married.
The minister's little wife lifted
Charlottes small face and kissed it
softly. She whispered something
about happiness, and what a fine
young husband Tony was, and Char
Jlotte smiled.
Then she was back in the buggy
with Tony and they were driving
back toward Westonbury and the
farm. About half way home, Tony
drove the buggy up under a tree
that grew close to the road.
well, Mrs. Hartman" he whis-
pered, as he took her in his arms.
ooh, I do, I do, you know it," she
murmured against his throat.
1T won't be for long, this secret
Of ours, dearest" he went on quick
ly, Just till 1 can get home and
tell the family. They're going to love
you just as / do, you'll see" He
lifted the small hand and kissed the
finger his ring circled. For the
present you'd better wear this around
your neck" he suggested. Just till
1 come for you, then We'll tell your
family"
Charlotte nodded and sighed under
her breath. She wished she might
tell her mother, but then. of course,
II was hetter Tony's WaV.