Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-11-13
CHAPTER XVII

CHAPTER XVII
LTHEA questioned Nell -about Mrs.
~ Williams. She had met her at lunch.
con and was very much attracted to
her. She spoke admiringly of her savoir
vivre, her wit and taste and acknowledged
that she had found her most entertaining.
Although she had been curious, what she
heard did not add to Althea's happiness BY
this time she had quite persuaded herself
| that Mrs. Williams was not i'll, not in need
of a physician. That she came to the office
to be with Peter. If he were not in love with
her. she was with him, and in the end might
fascinate him.
She was unfortunate in her marriage, AL
thea told herself. Peter cared nothing for
her. What more likely than they should be-
come ena--ored of each other? Both young,
Once when she knew Mrs. Williams was
in the office she had wandered down to the
| reception room and listened to the hum of
voices from the private office. She had in
tended to remain until Mrs. Williams came
out and force Peter to introduce her. But
she heard them laughing together and it an
gered her, reused her jealousy to such
pitch that she flew back upstairs into her
room, where she threw herself upon the bed
in a very agony of despair.
They were chatting and laughing down
Now She was sure it wasn't illness that
brought Mrs. Williams to the office-it was
to be with Peter her husband, the man she
| loved.
She was almost ashamed o. loving him
so much
She wanted desperately to be happy. to
make him happy, but she couldn't Not
now! Into her eyes had come a strange
look, one Of determination. She couldn't
| nave him, but no one else should. I-
Althea had made very comfortable home
! for Peter. She proved to be a mistress Of
! detail, competent housekeeper. But she
felt that was all she was to him-the keeper
| of his home. She was a good hostess: Sher
! llttle dinners, occasionally given, were quite
| perfect. Peter never failed to compliment
| her and to wonder where she had learned so
much. He had ono idea that love for him
inspired her to do her best, to learn the little
| amenities of social life that he might never
/ be forced to blush for her.
| She had improved, too, lin looks and hear
ing In part this was due to her better dress
Ing and in part to the awakening of the
woman within her, the woman who desires
| TO be- attractive. There was little to remind
one of the former shop girl in Peter Gra-
nam wife She was completely unselfsh, or
| appeared so. Only for his professional Sc
crets, her curiosity about his patients. did
she ever seem unfair. Men liked her as well
| as women, although she wasn't in the least
| the siren t.pP of woman. Neither was she
lntellectual-to any great degree She was
! a woman of taste who cared immensely for
DeauufEl things that appeal to the eye-and
Tor Peter Beyond that the world moved on
rather slugglshly for her. She yielded Peter
| up 10 the solitude he so evidently desired
even when In the house. When she limited
that he shut himself in his office too much
IN MS free evenings, he explained:
I always work best at night. can more
clearly consider or VI
did not add that@it also relieved her of his
presence. -
Althea's expression was serious as he
talked almost melancholy, and in her whole
personality there was something strange and
| feyerish. She understandable thonght-
| ne rather be alone than with her.
| In her soul a drama was being PLAYED be-
mind lowered curtain. 1t was in tumult,
! peopled with "a crowd Of desires and fears.
Her hand touched his for moment over a
| book. 1t was hot and dry.
! He looked at her anxously, the physician
| as well as the husband anxious
You're not Ill, Althea? Your hand ia
very hot"
mo, am not ILL. Her voice was dead.
! My hands are usually warm; it is no sign
of illness with me-"
He locke his anxiety.
Embarrassed Althea made an excuse tn
| leave the room. Perhaps he wished She were
Ill, dead. He sat for some moments, his head
| on his hand, musing on how far apart they
| had grown because she did not care for him.
He almost feared that if she were i'll she
would not let him know. He made his way
down to his office, thinking Of Althea Won
dering if he ever could win her love. He had
no intention of forcing himself upon her.
He loved her far too we'll was too proud for
that.
The next day when Mrs. Williams left the
office, Althea, standing at the head of the
stairs, heard her say:
! II know hos busy you are Doctor but
| fJme into see Glen often. I've never known
him to take to anyone as much as to you
| Glen must be the child, the delicate boy
| Peter had spoken of. But no pity for the
mothers anxiety, revealed in her voice,
stirred Althea.> She was asking. Peter to
come to her house Making the child an ex-
cuse And Peter. who pleaded he was so
busy. had promised to go.
Althea turned back into her rooms l1int
| and heartsck
Continued Thursday. Renew your SUBJ
! scription now as not to miss chapter of
this splendid story.
tered the publishers office, carrying under
! his arm a small roll of paper.
Good afternoon, sir" said, the publisher.
| '"Take a seat and tell me what I can do for
you"
The youth looked nervous.
"Well-er-I have song here" he be-
| wo