Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-03-12
The TH-WeekIy Journals
Own Serial
The Only Thing
That Counts -
A Mystery Romance of
Modern Bohemia
BY the Famous Novelist
Carolyn Beecher
(Cunvripht 1901
CHAPTER LxIv
Copyright, 1921.

L~I IT down, please" Helen felt
N~ she could not endure the
~ sight of that pale. drawn
face, so full of agony an
other moment: Her caller dropped
into a chair. Helen also sat down.
She trembled even then.
Il mustn't stay--he might come
and find me here"
There is no danger of that. He
never G. mes here. Xou must believe
me-" She saw the doubt in the
others face. II have seen him only
the street some weeks ago. He
knows L" She had been about to
say "loathe and despise him." but
remembered that this pale wrath of
a woman had said she loved him
and caught herself. He knows L
That he is not, never can be, any
thing to me you must believe. l
am so sorry you should think that
he could" she added gently.
rs that true?'
CAS- true as Cod"
But you-he cared-I don't I'M
derstand. He stays away from me
you in the store that it was for
you. [ came on from San Fran
cisco because of what the doctors
had told me--and because of my
boy. He didn't want me-doesn'
noW!" Slow tears came as she
stop talking. But because of the
boy 1 must get him back-1 can't
die il peace unless / do.
Il suppose you wonder how 1
can love him-knowing all I do.
You see L am not educated-not
like you--and him-I loved him al
ways-when my boy came I knew
it would be forever. Some women
are like that, you know-they can't
help it, L am that kind. [ know he
hates me, because he thinks / in
terfere with him, but it makes no
difference. L love him just the
same"
She stopped and covered her face
with hands so transparent Helen
shuddered as she looked, then said
please excuse me a moment. l
will be right back"
When she returned she brought
a steaming cup of tea and some
waters.
1T will do you good" she said
as the woman made gesture OF
refusal. L have much to tell you.
Drink it while ] talk"
AS if compelled against her wishes
Nell Blackton raised the cup to her
lips. Helen commenced:
Way back to the day she met
John Blackton she went. This poor
dying woman must not think she
had deliberately wronged her She
told of meeting him, his wooing'
her fathers death, and her loneli-
ness. Of the marriage ceremony
which she found was illegal, no.
only because he had wife, but he
had assured her the man who per-
formed the marriage ceremony had
no right. This all on the day he
became sc, furiously angry with
her. She did not spare herself IN
ever she could Then she told of her
life after she left BlacktoI. OF her
struggle to make living; her sue
cess with her writing. Her voice
took on a softer tone as she barred
her soul, told of her love for the
man she had promised to marry.
Does he know?" 1t was the first
time Nell had spoken since Helen
commenced her story--a full halt
hour. The tea was all drunk, and
she had eaten one of the cakes;
"Yes-he k2ows andi-forrgives."
you see. there is love like mine
but 1 didn't know men ever
loved that way. 1 thought it was
only us-women who did"
You believe me now-you know
he, Blackton, doesn't come here;
that of my own free will [ shall!
never see or speak to him again %
Yes, | believe you-you coulda'
lie to me if you love that other
that man you are going to marry,
He must be a very good man" she
must have been hard for him to
forgive you-men dca't want wom-
en- who have done wrone-not often.
SO he must be good" hNen: For