Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-06-21
CHAPTER K
The Temperance of Tom

Inc R0aDDedCa1Ce Oh IOm
TN rush of excitement, Lorry was swept
along toward her wedding day. Some
times when she was alone, she longed to
draw back, she had an impulse to hide herself
from every one, but for the most part she
was not alone. Courtney was omnipresent,
and whenever he was with her the force of
his personality made her realize how 1mpos-
sible it was ever to escape from him.
The plans for the wedding were Courtneys.
They were to be married very quietly at noon
with only Lorry's parents present. AS for his
own family, he said very little about them.
They lived in the middle west somewhere, and
it would not be possible for them to be
present.
Again there came the day before her we'd
ding, but this time how different were Lorry s
feelings The night before her wedding with
Tom she had been exalted, confident, now she
trembled with vague fears for the future.
Courtney dominated her completely that
there could be no give and take. But even
now, filled as she with doubts and mis-
givings Lorry could go just so far in her
thoughts and no further. Try as she would,
she could not bring herself to hate Courtney
Harrington. There was something about him,
something strong and undertaking, that in
spite of her dread of him, filled her with re-
spect. This feeling she had never experienced
as far as Tom was concerned. 1t had not
been necessary to respect him, nor had she
thought to lean on him in any way She had
looked upon her marriage to Tom as a fifty
fifty experience He was her equal not her
superior, but with Courtney everything was
different He swept her along with him.
whether she wanted it or no, and tomorrow
she would be out in uncharted waters and
Courtney would be at the helm, guiding the
boat she knew not whittier.
Since early morning she had wandered rest
lessly about the house, not knowing what to
do with herself, and after lunch she decided
to go out for walk. The air made her feel
better and at o'clock when she returned
han hoo hor
as it had earlier in the day
Annie, the maid, opened the door for her,
and as Lorry stepped into the hall, greeted
her with low-toned remark
There's some one in the living room to see
you, Miss Lorry. told him you were out, but
he said he'd wait. It's" her voice sank
still lower. Annie was obviously thrilled over
the dramatic possibilities of the occasion, cts
Mr.. Ransome'.
Lorry stood for moment as though turned
10 stone. Her heart for an instant felt as if
1t were CONCEALED in her breast and then with
a great burst went on beating in great leaps
Tom! He was here! She had only to walk
a few steps to see him., and she had never
expected to see him again as long as she
lived. That night when her pride had been
hurt to the quick, she had never wanted to
see him again, but since that time she had
changed. She had known what it was to
weep far into the night, she had wished a
hundred times that she had net been so quick
to act. She still loved Tom, and loving him
she had wondered time and again. if she
hadn't been wrong in judging him as she had
And now he was here! What was she to do
about it? She could refuse to see him. that
was what she ought tC do but something
cried out in her that this was the last, the
very last; suery it could do no wrong to see
him just this once, and say good-by
Suddenly making up her mind, she drew
long breath, and walked with steady steps
toward the living room. AS she went in Tom
Sprang to his feet and came toward her
horribly changed Tom, with a white face and
blazing eyes. Involuntariy, Lorry drew back
The thought flashed across her mind that she
was responsible for this, and for the moment
all thought of blaming him for what had hap
pened vanished.