Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-04-30
CHAPTER TX


walking into.
CHAPTER TX
G ;555 ,' & ;t: u.s. ssa . t:
had hardly been conscious of
what she wore, because her clothes
belonged to her setting, and seemed
correct. Now they were seated in a
chair car speeding through the coun-
tive, well-dressed people. A girl
who sat opposite Charlotte was very
trig and smart in her well-cut
clothes. There was an air of be-
longing to the metropolis about her
that Tony was used to. He could
not help looking from her to Char
lotte and noticing the difference.
Charlotte wore a cheap serge dress
that was much too large for her.
Her ash blonde hair was hidden
under small hat, the straw of
which was much worse for wear. TO
ever, but she lacked entirely that
look of grooming without which the
prettiest woman appears doWdy
Tony felt a pang that his mother
should see her for the first time look
ing this way, and yet he knew that
ry him through the purchasing of
some correct things for her to wear.
They would have to make the best
of it, and Charlotte was SO sweet
herself that he was sure his mother
would be won over in spite of the
clothes.
Like all very young men, Tony
world weary. Charlotte'S eager turn
ing in her chair, her jumping up and
down to test the springs of the car
seat, her excited ordinations which
attracted the attention of those
around her, annoyed him. He en-
naive remark of Charlotte's, which
was plainly audible, evoked a smile
from the man in the next seat. A
froWn of disapproval crossed Tony's
face and he leaned over and said al
most sharply, People will think
you've never been anywhere be-
fore"
well, haven't. Charlotte re-
turned, fixing him with wide blue
eyes. This remark was also audible,
and Tony flushed. For the first time
he was really angry with Charlotte.
you're making us conspicuous
he said coldly.
her seat. For the rest of the trip
she was very quiet, sitting still in
her chair and watching the flying
scenery with eyes. that hardly saw
anything, so blurred were they with
tears. Tony had the grace to be
ashamed of himself by the time they
had reached the city, and he pressed
her soft arm against him, whispering
a few words in her ear that caused
her to smile up at him forgivingly.
Charlotte could not De angry with
Tony. She loved him too much, and
noyance when she exclaimed at the
crowds and stopped to stare at the
dome of the huge station. He pi-
loted her into a taXicab, conscious
meanwhile of the shabby straw suit
case that the porter was carrying.
He had told Charlotte not to bring
anything with her, but she had in
sisted upon it and her mother had
packed the suitcase with a few be-
longings. Coarse underwear. spot
lessly clean, few summer dresses.
faded but crisply Numbered, some
rant Jelly. Tony had no idea Of
what the suitcase contained, but he
did know that Charlotte would have
nc use for anything that she had
possessed in her old life on the
farm.
Excited as she was at her first
glimpse, of New York. the crowded
streets, the hurrying people, the
ceaseless roar of the traffic, she
could not help but be conscious of
the fact that Tony seemed very far
away from her. He sat in his cor
ner, replying to her eager, questions
in monosyllables. When they final
ly turned from the broad thorough
fare into one of the side streets and
stopped before one of a row of aris-
tocratic brown stone houses. Char
lotte felt suddenly frightened and
alone. Her feet as she stepped out
of the taxi seemed heavily weighted
and her heart was beating very fast
ITO Be Contfnued)