Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-12-14
CHAPTER XIX
I Miss NV Train

ERBERT took me in a taxi to the station
ii and I was worried about making my
L. ~ train If 1 missed it :. ere wasn't an
other for an hour and wouldn't reach Hilton
before o'clock What would Norman think?
That was my one thought. 1 had forgotten all
about my wish to pay him back in his own
coin.
"Do YOU think we'll make it," I asked
nervously as we careened up Madison avenue.
II really shouldn't have stayed so late"
Herbert drew out his watch 1t was a
great solid gold watch, probably an inherit
ance from his grandfather, md 1T was so
typical of Herbert's solidity that could have
smiled if I hadn't been so miserable. Norman's
watch is one of those raper thin things and ne
wears it on gold and platinum chain. Even
his manner of taking it out of his pocket is
different from Herbert's. Why did L love
him so much?
81 didn't realize it was so late" Herbert
returned, "but there's chance" He leaned
forward and spoke to the taxi driver, and
few moments later we whrled into the
station.
l waited impatiently while Herbert delIber-
ately paid the driver, and then We rushed into
the station, but the train had just gone. l
had missed it by an infinitesimal margin.
Herbert presented an unruffled appearance.
wondered suddenly if anything would ever
excite him. His proposal to me had been as
calm a thing as though he had been inviting
me to go to the theater with him. 1t was no
wonder that had chosen Norman, who was
all fire and passion.
''Why don't you stay in and have dim
ner with me?" he asked.
shook my head. 80, thank you, Herbert,
but l couldn't do shat"
you might telephone Norman" he per"
sisted. "He will have eaten anyway by the
time you arrive at Hilton"
1 hesitated. After all, why not? l knew
| it would Civ me no pleasure, but having car
ried the thing so far, why not go on with 1t?
"All right" I said, making UP my mind sud-
| denly. "I'lI telephone"
! Herbert's face lighted up surprisingly with
| the smile that spread over it. Evidently it
meant something to him and / mentally re-
solved to be more entertaining at dinner than
| 1 had been at tea. Did he still love me, l Won
dered? Was that why he looked so happy
when I had consented to stay in?
| In the telephone booth / dropped in my
coins. after giving - number, and waited
with my heart beating fast for voice on the
| other end No doubt Norman would answer
/ the telephone himself. Perhaps he was wor-
ried about me, and at the thought ray OF
happiness stole into my heart I mentally re-
| hearsed what would say to Norman, and
must make my tone casual had missed the
| train and was staying in town for dinner WIS
that enough? Need I say that | was dining
with Herbert? 1t would fit in so much better
with my plans if l waited until / reached
home to tell him that, unless, of course, he
| asked me direct question.
! could hear the operator ringing my NUM-
Der, and then suddenly there came CLICK ana
some one took UP the receiver at the otner
end. My heart leaped suffocatingly, and then
instead of Normans anxious voice, there came
the Irish brogue of Mary.
I came to earth with a dizzying crash
MARY, this is Mrs. Wayne" | heard my
voice saying. "Is Mr.. Wayne there?"
! And then came Mays reply. "Mr. Wayne
| telephoned this afternoon that he wouldn't
| be home for dinner.
Misery suddenly engulfed me. Where was
Norman? Was he in town with Alice? AT
| the thought my head swan and the close ar
lin the telephone booth turned me faint and Ill.
| NEXT. A SURPRISE DISCOVERY