Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-11-08
CHAPTER XIV

CHAPTER Nv
~ ETER told his wife less than he did be-
r. fore he married her, so she thought,
and it ranked. 1t was another proof
that he had married her only to help himself
get on, another sign he never loved her.
She saw less and less of him, he pleading
business, telling Althea that his practice was
growing and required more of his time. He
made many calls and occasionally would
grumble because of the time he wasted watt
ing for street cars and in walking He no
longer used his old cheap car.
Althea pondered over this and one day
; when he was ready to go out he saw shin
/ ing coupe standing before the door.
1t will save you a good deal of time"
Althea said as casually as she could And
can use it too
The doctors eyes lighted up as he realized
that the car, of good make, belonged to
them.
THAT was good of you, Althea," he said
as he walked around the car admiriHg it.
TOO good. You mustn't let me use it when
you want it,, he added, his tone changing.
This was perhaps one of the things for which
she had wanted her money-had married
him for.
I don't choose to see you going about on
foot while other doctors ride" she replied
quietly, saying nothing of the thought that
had actuated her-that he would have more
time at home with her.
While he, as he drove off to make his
calls, thought: 1T will be an asset in many
Ways-looks prosperous and saves time. BY
accepting her generosity now, no matter what
her motive, shall be able the sooner to re-
place every dollar she spends of her income
Or principal
That he had long ago determined to do.
He would use what she offered to help him,
but only that he might the more quickly be
IN a position not to need that help.
eyes as he drove away, he could not know
now desperately she longed to have him ask
her to take that first ride with him how she
craVed the show of little honest affection
because of her gift A kiss. a few loving
words would have meant everything to her.
He had married her because of the mate
rial help she could be and he should not be
disappointed. So she had decided. Perhaps
some time-she would win his love- That
she was inconsistent, had said no man who
married her because of her legacy should
touch penny of it, she had forgotten. Yet
every time she did anything for him she grew
colder, more distant, as did he
Her first sneering remark about one of his
patents aStonished him. so like jealousy did
it appear, and he could not conceive Of AL.
thea being jealous of him. She had taken
10 watching from the window during his
office hours, goaded on by what Nell Lang
ford mad said. She had seen handsome car
drive up, lovely stylishly dressed young
woman step out and go into the office She
had remained what seemed to Altbea an UNI
necessary length of time, and at luncheon she
had spoken of it. asking who the patient was
and what allied her
Peter had told her she was a. Mrs. Will
liams, the wife of broker then had refused
to further enlighten Althea They had al
most quarreled-it would have been their
first quarrel-When he said:
You must understand once for
inca, L snail not discuss my patients with
you"
He had spoken harshly, had not softened
MS refusal in any way. She had taken UNI
bragg at his tone. She felt that Nell was
perhaps right; that Peter had already be-
come interested in patient.
No matter how generous she is she can't
interfere" he muttered when alone in his
once He had decided 1t was that. a wish
10 interfere because of what she did for him.
He laughed at himself for thinking her
jealous, even for a moment.
He went out. A newsboy on the street was
crying the latest horror A woman had been
found dead in the park, shot But to Peter
MS half-mouthed voice sounded like cry
from his own heart, sad cry telling of the
uselessness of Iife-without Althea's love.
He had many hours of sort of happiness.
even Of exultation, when he had, been partic.
uIarly successful. Not altogether in gaining
them. He, had raised his prices, and his
practice was steadily growing. He longed to
specialize in a certain branch of surgery.
PETER had become acquainted with Va noted
physician, the head of one of the city's great
hospitals, who encouraged him in his desire
and wanted him to have place on the staff.
But his private practice was more remun-
eratlVe just now and he must keep at it until
he had reimbursed Athea and could afford
to make a change. Out of delicacy he said
nothing to Althea Of this opportunity that
was so in line with his desires. His love for
her made him instinctivey delicate in all his
dealings with her-the love he hid so COM
pletely that she never suspected it.
He's so gallant to you" Nell Langford
said after dining with them. You should
see some men 1 know, husbands Of my
friends They think joke and kiss Is all
a woman wants. Pet them little, then bury
themselves In an old paper or trot out and
leave them alone"
joke and kiss. What would Althea
not have given for such companionship?
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