Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-12-06
HER MONEY
BY CAROLYN BEECHER

What has gone before.-Althea Cros-
by inherits a fortune on condition that
she marry before she is 35. She falls
in love with handsome young DR.. Peter
Graham and marries him without tell
ing him about the condition in the will.
Eventually he hears gOssips discussing
it and assumes she married him to get
possession of the fortune. He becomes
cool and she assumes he married her
for her money. She becomes very jeal-
Gus of her husbands attentions to Mrs.
Ruth Williams, a wealthy patient. AL
thea meets Kenneth Moore and his
gayety attracts her. Now go on with
the story.
CHAPTEL XVII
T@HE telephone shrilIed 1t was still dark.
Althea, awakened out of a sound sleep,
- wondered what time it was She
heard Peters voice as it foated in from
the hail.
"Yes-don't worry, Mrs. Williams I'll
be there as soon as | can dress. Yes
have the butler stay with you until I come
wake him up then-it isn't safe for you
Althea wide awake now, sensed the
anxiety in his voice. She dragged herself
to the door She would prevent him going
to that Mrs Williams. He shouldn't go!
What is it Peter?, she asked.
''A patient--havent time to talk" He
was throwing on his clothes in furious
fashion.
what patient?"
MIS-. W1IlldmS.
whats the matter with her that she has
to get you out of bed this time of night?"
tits necessary! Please don't talk to me,
Althea" He in the hall now
Il don't believe she is sick. It's just
ruse to set you there"
cat 8 o'clock in the morning?" Peter
said as he ran down the stairs into his
office, only to reappear in moment with
his bag. "Better get back into bed, AL
thea; you'll take cold
1t was two hours later when she heard
him come in. His steps Jagged on tho
stairs if he were tired, A sob caught
in Althea's throat. He would want no
sympathy from her-he who gave her no
confidence.
At, breakfast she asked
What time did you get back?"
about five"
What was the matter with herr"
"Nothing-it was that brute of a hus-
band. Been drinking bad liquor again. On
the verge of the D. rs. Poor woman, what
life she leads with him."
You are very sympathetic"
ANYONE would be-if they had any heart
at ALL
ut is gossipped that she intends to leave
him" 1t hurt her to talk to Peter of this
woman she felt sure interested him, but she
couldn't stop.
1T would be a wise move on her part"
"She is young, , called beautiful 1 surS
pose she would marry again." Althea said,
her eyes on her face.
mo doubt" Peter dryly replied. Althea
imagined he looked sef-conscious, a bit en-
barrassed.
you admire her immensely" she probed.
Yes. She is quite wonderful"
Il thought So" Her voice held sheer
causing him to glance up quickly. you told
me DR.. Cobb was his physician. Why should
she call you?"
81 don't, know didn't ask. Perhaps be-
chn hac
you curioqs?" he asked, fixing her with his
eyes.
"Oh no reason at all! l just thought IT
strange she would feel she could call you at
such an hour when he usually has another
doctor. But her liking for you probably ex-
plains it."
Peter made no answer, but in his eyes
fingered questiOn-why all this curiosity?
Once more the thought that Althea might be
jealous swept over him, only to be dismissed
again.
Don't speak of what I have told you, AL
thea" he said Il should dislike very much
| to have any comments coming through me
! what l have told"
Never fear; III keep your secret" Again
that double meaning dominant in her
tone, without the haoudh shrdlu up up uup
tone, although the words were right enough.
In the reception room, the office door open
slightly, Althea later heard Peter telling Miss
AA"''S'A't LID
listened. He told of how bad Williams was,
how near to delirium, and then praised Mrs.
Williams unstintedly.
Il told her to wake the butler and keep
him with her until [ came but she said the
man was tired, so she had not done So That
brute is capable of anything when he drinks
the terrible whisky they sell nowadays He
has frightful temper-might injure her"
"She is very charming" Miss Towards
soft voice answered, so kind and not a bit
| condescending. I love to have her come to
| the office"
Quietly Althea went out. So Miss Howard
too was intrigued with the woman. They were
both bound together against her. Peter and
the nurse. Now she had another reason for
disliking Miss Howard Her praise of Mrs.
Williams. Probably she only spoke as she
did to please Peter.
That day Kenneth Moore returned and lost
no time in calling upon Althea, who remem-
bering Peters praise of another woman, re.
ceiVed him with such obvious pleasure that
he instinctiYely felt he had gained in her
estimation.
Continued Saturday. Renew how, so as not
to miss a chapter of this absorbing story