Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-01-13
CHAPTER XXXV.
The Breach Widens

If Edith had been aloof and Indifferent to
me before, she was still more so after that
night at the country club when I had over
heard the conversation between herself and
Herbert.
Sometimes I believed that she must have
known all along that L had been there on
the porch hidden behind the pillar, wher
Herbert refused her offer of friendship, but
common sense forced me to reject this idea
If Edith had seen me, then Herbert would
have seen me too, and inasmuch as he said
nothing to me about it, | was sure that
was letting my imagination run away with
me.
But why did Edith treat me with such per
sstent GOODNESS? That was what l could
not understand, for even though I ignored
her Irritation with Norman and tried my
best to be nice to her, she would have moth
ing to do with me-
When we returned from the club that
night I went upstairs Immediately, thinking
of course that Norman and Edith would fol
low Instead they stayed downstairs on the
porch for over an hour. / did something that
night that makes me blush whenever think
of it. Thinking back [ don't see how
could have stopped to such sordid thing
but [ did
l went into Edith's room as softly as !
could and leaned out Of her window to listen
for voices. Ediths room was directly over
the porch, and l wanted to make sure that
she and Norman were talking. almost
toned conversation, even though I wondered
what they could have to talk about. 1t was
a relief to know that at least they were not
sitting silent in the darkness, but when I re-
turned to my own room my cheeks burned
with shame. Had I sunk so low that must
cloak everything With suspicion? Why
should | object because Edith and Norman
had chosen to stay down on the porch for a
few moments? Wasn't | at liberty to go and
join them if I pleased? And yet even while
dashed myself with scorn, l could not con
vince myself that my suspicious were wrong
There was something sinister about Edith's
attitude, and there were times when
felt that she would hesitate at nothing to
obtain what she wanted.
Two or three days later, Herbert bought
car. 1t was a good-looking roadster painted
dark maroon, and he drove around to Ne
house after dinner to show it to me.
l was sitting back in a big wicker chair,
and Edith and Norman we're in the swing.
AS usual I was feeling like fifth wheel, and
when Herbert drew up before the house
ran out to meet him:
/ We stood together by the car admir1ng its
lines, and suddenly Herbert suggested that
we go for a short spin.
you'll be the very first one to ride In 1t,
joan" he said boyishly, and looking up at
him, [ realized with little leap of my heart
that Herbert had changed of late. lie was
not so stodgy, he had more enthusiasm, and
I certainly enjoyed being with him more than
ever had in the old days before had met
Norman.
| glanced toward the porch with the idea
of telling the others where l was going, but
the fact that Norman. and Edith hadn't even
taken the trouble to leave their seats in the
swing to inspect the new roadster, lighted a
little glow of anger in my heart.
No I wouldn't tell them! Why should /?
1t didn't make any difference to them
whether l went or not, in fact they would no
n oil ht nrefer to be rid of me. 1t was with a
new feeling of recklessness that I turned to
Herbert and smiled Up at him radiantly, and
the quick response in his eyes made my
heart give a warning leap.