Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-01-06
CHAPTER xxx


Y had telegram from Edith on Friday
night telling me to expect her on Saturday
afternoon, and / drove down in the car to
meet the train. Norman had planned to come
in later with the Benedicts, so that I was to
have Edith to myself for a few hours before
dinner.
The train drew in at the station, and my
heart leaped with little thrill of excitement.
1t would be nice having Edith with me and
then suddenly l saw her and the next min
ute l had my arms around her and was kiss
ing her tenderly.
She drew back from me quickly and I
Strengthened her hat.
Hello JOAN she said coolly, and I had
a feeling of sudden reproof. For second
we stood looking at each other, and realized
with a start that Edith was quite ravishlng-
ly lovely. Very slim and looking taller
because of the fashionable frightening
Of her skirts, she was dressed all in black.
From the round neck-1ine Of her dress, her
slender face rose like a flower, but there was
something strangely unfamiliar about her.
She looked different and a puzzled little froWn
wrinkled my forehead as I stared at her.
Then I realized wherein the difference lay.
She had bobbed her hair, and her eyebrows
had been plucked to finely penciled lines.
She smiled suddenly, but it was not the If
responsible grin of the Edith Of a few months
ago. Her smile was slow, and alluring, al
most studied Edith had changed, not subtly,
but as though she had left her old personal
ity behind her, and taken on new one as
a chameleon changes color.
little helplessly turned toward the car,
and she followed me, the station porter car
rying her bag.
She tipped him royalty like young
princess, and as she slipped into the seat be-
side me, her whole exquisite young self ex-
uded the fragrance of some expensive French
perfume. / felt suddenly crude and Dadly
dressed beside her Ny blue sweater and
III, I'D out nf
couldn't account for the feeling she gave me,
but certainly it did not add to my present
state of mind.
# was the same when we reached the
house, She glanced about the guest room
carelessly accepting all the little personal
touches | had given it without touch OF en-
thusiasml
Then she took off her hat, and rummaging
in her handbag drew out an expensive cigar
cite case and jade holder. Have one?
she said proffering the case to me.
7 shook my head, and watched her as she
struck a match and lighted her cigarette,
and when she stretched herself daintily out
in the chaise lounge, I dropped into chair
near by.
>"How's Norman" she asked after long
inhalation.
"He's fine" I responded, and then as I
continued, Edith, do you always inhale as
deeply as that when you smoke?
She widened her eyes under the straight
fringe of her bang. "Ot course?
'Does mother know" I asked the ques-
tion in an elder sister fashion that somehow
sounded priggish, but 1 could not help 1t.
Edith was, after all, in my care, and felt
that the almost unnatural pallor of her face
was due perhaps to cigarettes.
my dear JOAN" she responded tlltlng
back her chin and looking at me through ner
lashes. ''Will you please tell me what
mother has to do with my smoking? I'm
not child any longer, and of course, must
do as l please s -
I felt as if l had administered reprooI 10
a titled stranger who was visiting me, ana
for the moment l had absolutely no come
back.