Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-08-04
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HUSBAND
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Chapter XXXV
Dick Mason Again
81 AAIEl DEYO BA7CHEZUR
<97/ g Pubic IE7GES 60

rEAN was standing with Cicely
and Jack at the side of the brill
liantly lighted room when sud
~ denly voice speaking her name
caused her to whirl around and she
| found herself standing face to face
with Dick Mason.
JEAN" he said again, his brown
| eyes alight, 81 thought 1T was you,
but 1 wasn't sure 1 couldn't believe
| by eyes. The last time l saw you,
you were buried out on the plains,
and now you are here" He stopped
and his eyes wandered over her dress,
the entire perfection of her as
though he could not believe his
eyes.
Jean was conscious that Cicely
was looking at them curiously and
she turned to introduce Dick.
IT knew Mrs. Brand out west, "
he explained easily.
Why, Jean, and you never told
us thing about it," Cicely said
reproachfully "Of course, we can't
get Jean to talk about any one but
her husband" she went on lightly.
jeans heart seemed to stop. Here
was q man who knew the exact state
of affairs; here was a man who had
told her that he loved her, and who
knew that she did not love her hus-
band. Suppose he decided to tell the
truth?
She raised her eyes to Dicks and
held them. Her heed was raised in
that proud way SO characteristic OF
her, her gray eyes asked no quarter,
they were noncommiCtal.
you know Mr.. Brand Of course,
and you must come to the house and
tell us about him." Cicely was say
ing. -,
Dick said courteously. and then to
CESho11 thiG9D n.
ment later she was gliding across
the floor in Dicks arms.
"Jean, can you ever forgive me?"
Dick was saying in her ear as they
circled the floor. "a dozen times
I have thought of that night, and
felt what an utter cad I was. Jean.
can't we go somewhere and TALK"
They were dancing past a doorway
that led into a small anteroom and
he whirled her into it. They were
alone for a few minutes. and he
turned to her eagerly. She looked
at, him and seemed to see him for
the first time. This was the man
she had thought so much better than
Mark He did all the things she
was accustomed to doing. He dane
ed, he would never make any social
errors, he could talk small talk, he
was in short typical man about
town. That's it, he was typical
But mis- mouth WAS Wee-h, 1lC EoSSliAoo
veritable boy to her now, 1t was
as though she had grown suddenly
older and was looking down at him
from a plane which he could not
reach.
"Listen to me. Dick" she said
speaking quickly. "Of course, for
give you. I have almost. forgotten
that night"
Then" he interrupted eagerly
you'll be friends with me again,
you'll let me see you"
THAT'S just it, we can't be friends
because I don't trust you any long
err. We can't go back and have the
friendship we had out there, because
I can't feel the same, and I dom
want you to come to the Knowles
in spite of the fact that they've
asked you. Don't you see, she hur-
ried on, that when you first G'me
to the ranch, thought OF you, only
as a friend? I was lonely and you
made me less lonely, that was all.
You spoiled all that and we can't go
back. What I want is simply an
assurance that you will not annoy
me, that you will not presume on
the fact that I know you.
"But you're unreasonable, jean
fashioned-people don't feel that
way any longer. Can't you let by
cones be bygones? I promise not TO
annoy you again"
Jean shook her head. There's no
use, Dick, you see I know you now;
You told me once that you cared
for me. You had no right to say
that, but if you meant it, you'll 90
this for me now"
She held out her hand. and after a
moment he took it, pressed her I'M
gers lightly and without a WORD,
left her alone.