Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-05-24
CHAPTER XXI
The Implication

Charlotte had mistaken her mother
in-law's attitude toward Nick and had
breathed a sigh of relief The gra-
ciousness and ease with which Mrs
Hartman had accepted his apologies
and had even smiled on the after
Moons enjoyment as a bit of inno-
cent fun, which in truth was all it
was, had entirely quoted Charlotte's
fears. She did not know until Nick
Fowler had left that it was she her
self who was to bear the brunt of the
entire affair. But when she was final
ly alone with Tony and his mother,
and looking UP met the concentrated
fury of Mrs. Harriman's eyes, she I'M
derstood.
Tony spoke first. eff hadn't
warned you it wouldn't be so bad,
but to deliberately disobey my
wishes on the subject is unforgiva-
BILE"
Charlotte shrank from the first an
cry words he had ever given her, and
he mistook her shrinking for guilt.
But why" she began, "why are
you so angry with me? You were
very nice to Mr.. Fowler; I thought
you understood that there was no
wrong in it."
do you think we could make a
scene before d stranger" Tony burst
out. SO that he could tell it all over
town."
But, Tony, there was nothing to
tell. l was lonely and he was very
n hn'c 11I
he must be at least forty"
Charlotte said this with such entire
innocence that no one with a sense Of
humor could have mistaken her youth
and ignorance. But Mrs. Hartman
was too angry and too prejudiced
against the girl to be kind.
of course she would say that,
Tony. OF course she wants us to be-
lleve that Nick Fowler is old and de-
crepit. She spent the afternoon with
him because he treated her as her
father might have. Nick Fowler, the
most noted prof1igate in town, who
makes a joke of women. That is fun
ny, isn't it?"
ooh, but surely you don't think"
Charlotte began.
THAT will do; there is no need of
your protesting, Charlotte. We know
Nick Fowler and his destinations. and
for you to talk that way is absurd.
You see, Tony. I warned you in the
beginning what you could expect. and
now you have your first bitter dose to
swallow"
But I haven't done anything
wrong" Charlotte protested 81 ad-
nit that after what Tony said I
shouldn't have gone to the theater
with him, but there was nothing
wrong about it, and he was merely
kind to me. These awful things that
you are saying, they're not true her
eyes were full of horror. II love
Tony, and no one else; I couldn't be
like that, I couldn't! How can you
say such things? Tony, you believe
me, don't YOU" And she turned her
blue eyes swimming with tears plead
ingly upon him.
Tony loved her. In his heart of
hearts he knew that there was no
guilt in Charlotte's nature, that she
could not have a wrong thought, and
that she was entirely innocent of
wrong; but his mother was there &C
cusing her, and he was too young
to take Charlotte's blame upon his
own shoulders.
81 don't know what to believe" he
muttered.
Charlotte drew back as though she
had been struck. That Mrs. Hartman
could think these things of her was
bad enough, but that Tony could love
her and think that she would look at
any other man was unbelievable. She
thought of Nick Fowler's kindness,
his courtesy, the smile in his eyes.
his consideration of her. She saw now
why he had insisted upon coming in;
it was for her sake. and the thought
that he cared more for what might
happen to her than Tony did was
heartbreaking.
This thing has happened, and it
comes from allowing Charlotte to go
out alone Hereafter she will have to
be watched. In the future, you will
not leave the house unless some one
is with you" Mrs. Harriman's tones
were cold and even. CAS- long as you
live in this house you will do as I
say as far ars keeping up the dignity
of it is soncerned."