Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-04-07
CHAPTER XXXL
Anne. Is DELAYED


TIME Steeles did not take up their resi-
dence in the house on East Seventy
eighth street. They took an apartment
nearby and left Marcia in entire possession
of the old house.
Marcia protested at this.
There's so much room, John" she argued.
I"Why can't you and Anne come here?"
But Steele shook his head He wanted
Anne to himself. He did not want to share
her with his mother, and he knew her well
enough to realize that she would insist upon
keeping the reins of government in her own
hands.
After they were settled Marcia rather
liked the idea of having them nearby rather
than actually living with her. But she took
Anne's social education in hand Immediately,
and suggested that they give a small and very
exclusive dinner.
She made out the list and would have man
aged everything had not Anne risen to the
occasion with a surprising dignity Tactfully
but none the less firmly she let Mrs. Steele see
that although she was glad of any sugges-
lions, she was well able to manage the affair
herself.
The dinner was set for o'clock, and on
the night of the affair, Marcia arrived at the
apartment shortly after 6.
| A black-gowned maid in white cap and
apron admitted her and showed her TO one OF
the guest rooms, but when Marcia asked for
Mrs Steele, the girl answered that Mrs. Steele
had not come in as vet.
Marcia stared in blank amazement
Anne not in, and this the evening of her
| first dinner party! Where could she be and
what was she thinking of?
However, she said nothing and after she
| had taken off her wrap she Wandered~out to
the dining room.
The table was set for twelve, and every
| thing was quite perfect From the shining
silver candlesticks to the miniature flower
garden in the center of the table the arrange
ments were unique and in excellent taste.
| Marcia went into the living room.
! The French windows were open on the
stone balcony that ran across the front OF the
I apartment. Flowers were everywhere, there
was nothing to be done here, but still Marcia
! worried. She went to the window and looked
| down into the street Outside the December
night was unusually warm. The apartment
was up so high that the roar of the city SEEM
| ed to come from great distance. Marcia
stood there for moment lost IN thought, and
then suddenly the French clock behind her
unsteady chimed the half hour and she
I turned around quickly.
AS she did so, there was sound of foot
steps in the hall and Steele came into the
| room.
He stopped to! kiss her. well, mother?'
| John isn't Anne home yet? What can be
keeping her; have you any idea where she has
gomez"
Isn't she home?"' There was surprise in
his voice 81 thought she was in her room
| dressing"
Don't you think it's strange for her to
have stayed out like this tonight of all
nights?'
Eyes, unless something has happened to
| her" His voice was sharp. That fear that
somehow was always with him, fear that he
would lose her, that some one or something
would take her away from him, leaped up in
his heart. Since their return from Panama,
Anne had disappeared mysteriously on two
other occasions She had kept dinner waiting
nearly an hour one night and she had offered
only the most casual explanation as to where
she had been. Steele had not asked any ques-
| lions because he wanted her to know that he
| trusted her, that she was free, But tonight