Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-05-21
: C6e :
.UNUELCOME
: WIFE, :
CHAPTER EX
81 H9ZEZ 2Eye2 IATCHEZC
I22L g 1xokhc kEneER co.

CHAPTER LA
The Homecoming
FTERWARD Charlotte had an
" ice cream soda, and 1t WASH |
~ until Nick hailed a taXicab to
take her home that she real
lied what she had done. Tony had
told her not to have. anything to do
with this man and she had deilber-
ately spent the afternoon with him:
What matter that she had enjoyed
every minute of it, that she would
look back upon it as one of the bright
spots of her life. She had done
wrong. and she was frightened. Look
ing out through the window into the
fast falling dusk did not help her
any, and finally Nick rallied her
about her silence.
81 didn't realize how late it was
she murmured.
with on rea Mo" con ee "Why, child, /
wouldn't have that happen for the
"Of course not" Charlotte said
Let me come in and explain, if
you think there will be any m1sun-
derstanding."
She shook her head. "Oh, no,
please" She said this so quickly
and with such evident fear that he
might do what he suggested that
Nick smiled to himself rather grim
mind of this fairy child with stories
about him, and she was afraid.
Poor little thing! he thought to
himself, 81 don't imagine she has an
easy time pleasing Lady Harrlman'
There was silence in the. taxi Tor
the glad spontaneity of the after
noon was gone, and a shadow had
fallen between them. When they
finally drew up before the Hartman
house it was quite dark and Char
lotte knew that she would have to
account for her absence nee FEY MeTer da DS
alone, and the enormity of what she
had done now swept over her with
it's full force.
sure you don't want me to come
in and explain matters? he asked
as he went UP the steps with her.
She shook her head and smiled up
took the small fingers in his and
stood uncertainty looking down at
her. Then he said very gently: .
IF you don't mind very much l
think I will. I really think I should.
You are such a child and they have
be all right, ! promise you"
stantly Fitch swung the door open:
He looked anxious and smile of
49,
saw Charlotte.
Tony came running down the
stairs and stopped when he saw
Nick His face, which had been wor-
ried, froze into an expression Of
stony displeasure, but it was only
for a moment. for Nick spoke in
stantIy in his easy, drawing tone: '
81 met your wife out walking and
inveigled her into a Matinee he
explained orbanely.
81 see," said Tony, evenly% Come
upstairs, won't you, Nick? My moth
err is there" He did not speak to
Charlotte, nor seem to notice her at
all.
Upstairs in the beautiful living
room Mrs. Hartman received Nick
NATURALLY we, were very much
when Nick had explained. 1T was
very good of you to take so much
trouble for her. Mr.. Fowler, and TO
bring her safely home"
Evelyn Hartman knew Nick Tow-
Ter we'll. and she could not afford to
be ungracious to him in her own
home. Furthermore, he had robbed
the afternoons adventure of any
sinister aspect by coming directly to
her with an easy and plausible eX-
PLANTATION. She was not angry with
him; she did not particularly blame
him for what had happened. But as
for Charlotte. she had behaved out
rageously. She had shown herself to
be the common daughter of common
parents and she must be treated in
accordance.
ITO BE ContinueO