Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-01-06
CHAPTER XXXII

IN room overlooking the square
in the st. Francis Hotel in San
i Francisco man sat, sn nasv
from slf Siy b l0f foider Just IN a" od
picture, but wonderfully clear and
i;fe-like. 1t was the picture of a
woman, a girl rather. She was
standing beside the porch of coun-
try house, her hand resting on the
head of big collie. -,
right" the man unused aloud. L Won
der what has become of her She
hadn't any money-then. L had it
all. Now I'm pretty well on my
uppers. I'd give a good deal to
know some things. oh. well! What's
I know. I wish L had .croaked her
spelling all my good times"
the mans face, and he tore the
Smiling face. Then. with an i'm
patient oath. he carefully placed the
two pieces in his folder and put it
back into his pocket.
An hour later he had given his
promise to consider a position in
New York to represent a Pacific
coast concern in the east.
you will have to go inside. of
three months" he was told, land
we must know. very soon if you
wish the place. We have another
man in view"
81 will let you know in a weeks
time"
"That will do
An hour later this same man was
talking earnestly to faded ooking
young woman in aflat not far from
Market street.
st tell you it is a chance to get
On my feet again."
But why not take me-us along?''
'"They don't know I am married.
If they should find it out now
would lose the chance. I lied to
them, told them I was a bachelor"
'I might have known she said
tiredly.
"What-known what?"
"That you wouldn't keep your
word to me-ever. Just why I have
expected you to I Cont know. l
have never had any reason to trust
you"
Come, now, don't get nasty, Nell;
I've got this chance. If L make good
I'll send for you"
You mean if you, don't find some
one to put in my place again.
one slip is no sign he will repeat his
mistake. I've had enough of petit,
coats" Then: Haven't I treated
you square late1y?"
Yes, and that makes it all the
harder to be left behind" A tear
There, old dear, don't start the
weeps. I'll run if you do"
Take me with you, John! I'll be
a help to you, not a hindrance. 1t
will be cheaper. too. L can keep
house for you. If you go alone there
there. Do take me. dear"
81 tell you it is impossible! |
suppose if you put I'D a holler I'll
have to throw I'D the chance. Talk
about women'S unSelfiShneSS! I've
got the only decent chance since I
cause you can't go along"
He sat down, straddling the chair,
his eyes looking gloomily at her, his
face a scowl.
Very, well, John; IN stay"
ture re restored Il haven't ave ! Yet decided
to take the job, so perhaps you won't
lose me at all 1 have a week be-
fore I must let them know"
ooh, 1 do wish you could find
something as good here. | have a
dreadful feeling that something will
leave us. I'd feel different, John, if
you'd always been square by me-
but"
That's right! Throw old stuff
at me! Can't you ever let bygones
be bygones? Goodness knows I've
been straight enough with you this
past year and more"
That's what makes me afraid,
John! Afraid to have you leave us.
Little Henry is beginning to notice
things now. l don't want him to turn
against you some day for what yoG
have done to me-"
"I1l risk that. If he does it will
be your fault. You have him to bring
up"
"A boy needs his father, John.
Needs a father that is good and
wise and strong. Try and find some
thing so you can stay here. I am
going to pray that you do" The
as though she were already pray
ing.
John Blackton turned and left the
room. Outside be muttered:
''She took it better than [ hoped.
I've been rather rotten to9her." Then
he went down the street, looking
to neither the right or left, trying
to decide whether he would go to
New York or find something to dc
where he was.
That night he gave up his room
at the hotel, the room he had taken
when he declared himself a bache-
Tor.
(To Be Continued).
Care of Furs