Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-01-20
CHAPTER MI
| Dangerous Situation

Norman had no sooner left for the office
that morning, having gone with the under
standing that Edith was to meet him in
town, than the door bell rang, and moment
later Mary brought in large box Of flowers
For you, Mrs. Wayne" she said, handing
me the box, and a moment later 1 had torn
the wrapping off and was holding up to view
an armful of pale yellow tea roses.
Edith was still at the table, and although
had my back to her, felt that she was
watching me.
aren't they 1ovely?" I said, turning to-
ward her, and holding them.
"Beautiful," she returned smoothly, and
although I watched her closely, could see
no jealousy about her 1 began to be almost
certain that I had been wrong in my suspl-
cions, and that she did not care for Herbert
after all, but there was note from Herbert
in the box and I was too eager to read 1T to
pay any more attention to Edith just then.
The note was short. 1t contained simple
apology for what had happened the night
before, and asked if he might call that night
and apologize in person. He would ring me
up later in the day and find if l could see
him.
1t was with smile on my lips and con-
seriousness that l was playing to the gallery
that folded up the note, took UP my roses
and left the room I did not glance again at
Edith, so that did not see how she was TAX
ing all this, but the impulse had come to me
to play up to her. Whether she actually
cared IOf H6rUGTC VI uOC, IL NOuAo w Az
harm, and if she did care, it might do great
deal of good.
Edith left for the city that afternoon
about o'clock, obviously to have dinner with
Norman, and from that time on l had moth
ing to do but eat a solitary dinner and wait
for Herbert's appearance Edlths astound-
ing behavior had made me forget for time
the incident of last night between Herbert
and me, but now, as l had time to THINK II
over [ realized that / dreaded seeing Her
l. tnH &c
apology so that the friendship between us
might continue, he might reason that IN over
looking what had occurred | might not nave
resented it SO much as l had PRETENDED TO-
In the heart of a thoroughly conventional
woman like myself it was a sOrdid thing to
NAV with a mans affections. And, after all,
wasn't that what it amounted to in my case!
I wanted to keep Herbert's friendship, ana
yet it was Norman whom loved and wanted
to hold. If only there were some way couIu
rouse him to a knowledge of the way ne was
hurting me, for even in spite of what had
happened, l could not believe that Norman
had reached point where he was acIually
tired of me and wanted me out OF his LIE.
Herbert came at $3.50 and was most con-
siderate He made things as easy as posi-
bIe for me- and it vast tacitly understood be-
tween us that the occurrence OF last nlgnC
would never be repeated. But all the while
I had the feeling that Herbert did not mean
what he said l could not help but feel tnat
he was waiting, biding his time, and that
some dav when Norman had tried me too far,
he would step in and carry me away with
him. III
OF course, I was foolish and overwrougnt'
and it was difficult for me to see anything III
the right light. But L could not IoTeet tnG
fne1ing of recklessness. and l feared that
might do something some day without think
ing of the consequences, something that L
might not do in my normal frame OF mlnd'
but through desperation.