Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-11-02
THE DISTRACTED ONE
A Short Story for long Nights

to her mothers with the baby for
month.
Thus Mrs. Kirby was left 'Inrec'
ognized and lonely. But from moth
ing she ever did or said could itgbe
seen she cared. Her son came home
and it looked as if she would now
have company. He was seen about
the porch and yard for day or two
"a slender young fellow with a
handsome, clear-cut face like his
mothers. Then he disappeared.
One morning Mrs. Bellew noticed the
doctors roadster standing lat the
Kirby door. He came three times
that day, and all that, night the
house was full of lights and move.
ment.
Next day Green street knew that
Donald Kirby was very sick with
typhoid and that his mother was
taking care of him. At noon that day
an elderly woman came from the
train with some baggage, and there
after she seemed to have charge
of the house. She was a Scotch
woman. Mrs. Bellew heard her talk
ing to the .nilllman.
Days followed. Somehow a feel
ing began to permeate Green street
that within the walls of the yellow
bungalow struggle for life was 60
ing on. One morning the doctor
came across to the porch where Mrs.
Bellew was sitting.
1--WE just seen something that
proves to me mother love is the
greatest thing in the world" he
said, blowing his nose. "I've about
given the boy up, but Mrs. Kirby
won't. If he lives she will have
saved him. If he dies He blew
his nose again. "She's great little
woman. I hope she will hold out
But I don't know. The end has got
to come some way soon, or she
can't
Twerty-four hours later Green
street knew that Donald kirby
would live. His mothers care had
saved him when the doctor couldn't
| Mrs. BelleW had been a mother
Mrs. Keller was a mother. They
could now understand Mrs. Kirby
Half-ashamed and truly repentant
they took flowers and jelly and
chicken broth to the yellow bunga
| low. In every way they could they
tried to prove themselves real neigh
bors. And it was not too ate. Fol-
Mrs. Kirby was the fortunate pos
SCISSOR of a generous spirit. { She
merely concluded that her neishbors
had been a little shy, perhaps, ano
so had been long in arriving. Sc
long as they did arrive so splendidly
nothing else mattered.
Donald Kirby was able to ride out
| in the Keelers new car, when Mrs
| Pn11nXu'c I'M ms I,Y~in6 cictnY, xxrhn 6n1C
a secretarial position of some impor
tance, came for months visit ant
vacation. , She brought all entirely
new wardrobe, recently culled at the
best city shops. Mrs. Bellew, will
unspeakable feelings, looked on a
the unpacking of brilliant blouses
and sweaters, variously coloret
shoes and hats and hose and skirts
that were distinctly up to the min
ute. Worst of all, Adella's blonde
hair had suddenly become two
shades darker.
"You women here don't keep up :
bit, do your" Adela said. tive onl4
seen one stylish female since I've
been here-that Mrs. Kirby. She il
chic enough to pass anywhere. What
is the use of being seedy If yoU
don't have to-? How long do ,yor
suppose I would hold my job if
didn't look ftp"
Mrs. Rellew WINGED IS she
thought of how she had misunder
stood Mrs. Kirby for this very thing
Certainly Adella, who was secre
tary to Mrs. Lamont, the great Mrs
Lamont, was above reproach. She
hated to do it. "I'm afraid we
Green Streeters are bit old-fash
toned and-and narrow" she ad
mitted.