Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-04-19
CHAPTER XXXVI
Over the Wire

T = IS lndOmltable Will drove him some
ri where through the rest of the day. He
- - refused to think, to face matters until
he had to, but at 4 o'clock, when he left his
office, he realized that he could no longer put
things off, that there was now nothing be-
tween him and the fact that Anne had gone.
He could not even be sure of the fact that
she would return, and as that thought oc-
Cured to him he realized what life would be
without her.
This thought banished the idea that he
might not want to take her back into his life
when he knew the truth No matter what
she had done, no matter what her secret was,
he could not do without her.
Never again to know the wonder of her
arms around his neck, the sOftneSS and sweet
ness of her against his breast. 1t was un-
thinkable! But even then, his anger against
her was not abated, and his love at that mo-
ment held no tenderness, no thought of her;
it was purely selfish and possessive thing,
with more of cruelty in it than kindness.
No, he would not let her go, because he
could not; she was essential to him. But
there would be no more elusiveness, she
would be his utterly, his chattel, his posses
and, because of that, have the power to make
him restless and ill at ease. When she re-
turned things would be adjusted according 0
certain specifications. He would have every
thing to say and she nothing. There was a
certain logical GOODNESS in the way his mind
worked and in the plan he made, but at 8
o clock that night, when the telephone rang,
he 'leaped to his feet, it angered him be-
cause he was helpless before the emotion that
gripped him.
He jerked the receiver off its hook. She
still had the power to stir him, and while
this was true, he could not hope to keep the
reins of government in his hands, to make of
her thing solely for his own delight and
pleasure.
Before he heard her voice he knew that she
was calling him, but her SIS this you, dear?"
caught at his heart strings, so fraught was it
with tenderness.
yes" The word was tense with feeling.
II wanted to say good night to you. I'll be
back tomorrow"
TOMORROW" He caught at the word that
would bring her back to him with an eager
ness that shook him strangely.
81 love you" Her voice was soft, like
brushed harp strings and having uttered the
words she waited moment, hoping for some
word of tenderness from him, but his mood
of stubbOrnness had returned and with it the
anger that has obsessed him all day.
AS though she sensed the change of feeling
| in him, she whispered good night and rang
off, leaving Steele with the insufferable feel
ing that she had again triumphed. And yet,
stronger than his feeling of anger that pos
Sessed him was the passion that her words
had reused in him. Just to hear her voice
had been pleasure so keen that it was almost
pain. How he loved her! Why, his love was
so great that it almost amounted to a weak
ness. And yet Steele did not stop to reason
! out that it was a selfish love. 1t wasn't the
| love that excused, that denied itself for the
good of the loved one. 1t was the demanding
| possessive love of man accustomed to hav-
| ing what he wanted from life It took every
| thing and gave nothing save material things
| in return.
And Anne, on the other end of the wire
knew this and loved him in spite of it. She
had gone through a long, weary day, day OF
. sick fear and racktng worry, but tonight she
was at peace again; she might even have
found it in her heart to be happy if it had not
been for the thought of facing her husband
on the morrow.
Next 81 Can't Tell You" Renew your sub
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