Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-05-17
introducing Nick Fowler.
CHAPTER. XVIII

TN SPITE of the fact that Tony
was disappointed in Charlotte he
Il still loved her. He took her to
tea on Saturday afternoon at one
OF the big hotels, and it happened
to be d day when she looked unusual
ly pretty. They had walked up the
avenue, and the cold November wind
had loOsened her ash-blond hair and
whipped color into her cheeks. The
green of her little velvet hat made
her look like some wood sprite, and
the very fact that she was with Tony
brought her intense happiness.
She had very quickly become used
to tea in the afternoon ard she
poured very prettily when there was
no one to look on. Tony, delighted
ut the progress she had made, was
more lover-like than he had been II
long time, and they were having
a very good time when someone came
up to their table and spoke to Tony.
Well, old man, how are YOU?
haven seen you IN dogs age?'
Charlotte looked I'D and saw a
forty. He had audacious eyes that
smiled down on her kindly. They
were nice, friendly eyes, and they
Interested her so that she smiled
back
Tony had risen rather stifiy. al
49, SASSNNH liz man wi uie'Il y
enough.
Hello. Dick; how have you been2'
They shook hands.
Charlotte's wide blue eyes had
fallen away. from the SAGE Of tho
she but fa nt Tof tSe I pgan is amy
smiled and bowed. Strange to say,
she did not feel at all as she general
ly did when Tony introduced her to
any, Of his FRIENDS. She felt eager
to know this man; she liked him
Immediately.
I'll sit down a minute, if you
don't mind" he said, drawing out the
chair next to Charlotte and dropping
into it. you know, Mrs. Hartman"
he said, in that deep, slow voice,
this is the first time [ have known
anything about Tony's marriage, so
you must excuse any surprise l hap
pen to show"
Charlotte laughed and in a few
minutes was talking as easily and
naturally with this man as she did
with Tony. She liked him so much
that she was eager to know more
about him, and after he had left them,
with a deep bow, and moved off down
the room with an easy, graceful
swing, she turned to Tony quickly
and asked who he was.
Mick Fowler" Tory Informed her
shortly. HE has lots of money, but
he's not the kind of man 1 would
want my wife or sister to know
But why, Tony? L liked him so
much"
Most women do like him. He's a
gay waster with a not very savory
reputation. He spends money like
water. and drinks a great deal. I've
never seen him thoroughly under the
influence of liquor. he always man
ages to maintain a good front, but
he's Wild and does queer things"
What queer things" Charlotte S
tone was eager.
Tony looked up sharply, as though
he was just beginning to notice Char
lotte's strange interest.
Things that I'd rather not tell
you about. You'll probably never see
him again, anyway, and if you do
10 rather you'd not have anything
to dc with him. Don't cut him., I'M
dcrstand, but don't encourage MIN.
You belong to me-, remeember. he
said, more lightly and L lntenC 10
And he smiled into the blue eyes
opposite, with his own boyi SHY
warm. Charlotte forgot Nick Fow-
Ter for the time being, as Tony could
make her forget anyone or anythlng;
but she RENE mbered him again, later,
and wondered why it was that the
one man who had taken the trouble
to be kind to her was the man she
was supposed to have nothing to do
with. She felt that Tony Should
have explained why she must not
know Nick, and she somewhat re
scented the fact that he could have
anyone he liked for friend, while
she had no one al all