Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-11-09
CHAPTER V
THE MISTAKE

~ N THE way home from the hunters
argued with myself:
~ "Joan. why are you jealous?" asked
myself over and over Haven't you the priv
ileges of going home with Norman OF closing
the door of your house against every out.
slider? Isn't that enough?" But in my heart
of hearts 1 knew it wasn't enough. / wanted
Norman to love me as much as l loved him.
He was enough for me; then why wasn't I
enough for him? 1t was the old warning of
the sexes, and, in spite of the fact that knew
Norman wouldn't like me to pry, made up
my mind to ask him about Alice.
We reached the house, and Norman sug-
gested that we sit on the porch for a few mo-
ments.
1 was longing to comply. With his arms
around me and the moonlight streaming over
us, 1 knew l would forget everything that had
happened, but the memory of Alice made me
perverse.
"I'd rather go up" I returned shortly. Il
am tired"
"I'll be up in few moments" he answered.
And proceeded upstairs without betraying by
word or look that it made the slightest differ.
ence to me what he did,
Up in my own room undressed. My hands
shook. / was in a pitiable state Of nerves
when heard Norman come up.
He came over to me instantly and put his
arms around me, drawing me to him.
What is it, darling? Aren't you well?"
1t was mans old question for woman's
withdrawal into herself. From time immemo.
rial it has always been suestion Of health
with man whenever woman is unusually
silent or is immersed in mood that he cam
not understand.
Norman, l want you to answer question,
will your asked suddenly. HAS Alice Will
son ever meant anything to you In the past?
You see," I went on feverishly, Il feel that
have right to know that much. Alice and
have always been friends, and want to know
whether we are to be friends in the future"
Norman looked at me for a long moment,
and suddenly, although l still felt | had the
right to know, was sorry had asked that
question Something very like disappointed
surprise shone out Of Norman's eyes as we
looked at each other; then he said quickly:
mo, there has never been anything between
Alice and me, that is, il you mean have ever
asked her to marry me. l think it will be
quite safe for the friendship, between you two
to continue"
A faint hint Of sarcasm had crept into his
voice. and l stood appalled, before it. Were
we going to quarrel, and about so absurd
thing? Hadn't / made myself ridiculous by
asking Norman such question? Just as ii
it made any difference one way or another
now.
Norman" l said sharply, 'I'm sorry I
asked that. It's really none of my affair. I'm
sorry.
Instantly smile radiated his dark face, and
my heart contrcted. HOW loved him. l re-
solved at that moment never to be foolish
again, never to question his love for me. What
rad happened tnat evening seemed suddenly
trivial, and was bitterly ashamed for broach-
ing the subject. If / allowed myself to be
miserable over every little thing that happen
ed would become suspicious, impossible to
live with. What had Norman said about leav-
ing the door of marriage open? Oh, would
try to be big and broad, and to ignore the
little things At that moment it didn't seem
to me that could ever be jealous again, GER
tainly not Of Alice Wilson
Saturday-Norman Stays in Town