Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-03-01
tn HE talk about Dick and Elizabeth had
4 been slow in reaching the house on the

been slow in reaching the house on the
- hill. When it came, via a little group
on the terrace, after the luncheon, Mrs. Sayre
was upset and angry, and inclined to blame
Wal1ie Everything that he wanted had come
to him, all his life, and he did not know how
to go after things. He had sat by, and let
this shabbygenteel doctor, years older than
the girl walk away with her.
Not that she gave up entirely. She knew
the town, and it's tendency toward over-state-
ment. And so she made desperate attempt,
that afternoon, to tempt Elizabeth. She took
her through the green houses, and then
through the upper floors of the house She
showed her pictures of the boat at Miami, anu
of the house at Marblehead Elizabeth was
politely interested and completely unrespon-
SiYe.
when you think" Mrs. Sayre said at last,
chat Wallie will have to assume a great
many burdens one can these days, you can
understand how anxious I to have him
marry the right sort of girl
She thought Elizabeth flushed slightly.
""But of course he will"
Mrs. Sayre tried a direction.
"He will have all have, my dear, and it's
a great responsibility. Used properly, money
can be an agent of great good. Wal1fe's wife
can be a power, If she so chooses. She can
look after the poor. I have long list of pen
sioners, but 1 am too old to au- personal
service"
"That would be wonderful" Elizabeth said
gravely. For a moment she wished Dick were
rich. There was so much to be done with
money and how well he would know how to
do it, She was thoughtful on the way down
stairs, and Mrs. Sayre felt some small salts
faction-things might come right after all.
Now if Wallie would only do his part-witn
just the proper persistence
1t was that night that Jim Wheeler brought
the tragedy on the Wheeler household that
was to lie heavy for many a day.
There had been a little dinner one of those
small informal affaiHs where Mrs. Wheeler,
having found in the market the first of the
| sa1x1
bought them first, and then sat down to the
telephone to invite her friends.
Jim not coming home, and Elizabeth
was dining with Nina Mrs. Wheeler hustled
about the house contentedly. Everything was
going well, after all. Before long there would
be a car, and Jim would spend more time at
home. Nina and Leslie were happy again.
And Elizabeth--not a good match, perhaps,
but marriage for love, if ever there was one.
AT Nina's was a smaller but similar group.
All over the village at that time in the eve
ming were similar groups, gathered around
flowers and candles.
Elizabeth was watching Nina. Just so, she
was deciding, would she some day preside
at her own board. Perhaps before so very
long long, too. A little separation, letters to
watch for an answer, and then
The telephone rang, and Leslie answered
it. He did not come back; instead they heard
the house door close, and soon after the rum
BILE OF the it left the garage. 1t stoppe~
at the door, and Leslie came in.
L III sorry, ne SalQ, DuC guess EllzdD6Cn
will have to go home. You'd better come
along, Nina"
"What is it? Is somebody sick?" Eliza
beth gasped.
Hes been in an automobile accident.
Steady now, Elizabeth! He's hurt but he's
going to be all right"
The Wheeler house, when they got there,
was brightly lighted Annie was crying in
the hall, and in the living room Mrs. Sayre
stood alone, strange figure in a gaudy dress,
but with her face strong and ca I'm,
They've gone to the hospital in my car"
she said. They'll be there now any minute.
"You are to wait before starting in.
They all knew what that meant. It might
be too late to start in. Nina was crying hys-
terically, but Elizabeth could not cry. She
stood dry-eyed, by the telephone, listening to
Mrs. Sayre and Leslie, but hardly hearrns
them. They had got Dick Livingstone and
he had gone in. Mrs. Sayre was afraid it had
been one of WalIie's cars She had begged
Wallie to tell Jim to be careful in it. 1t had
too much speed.
The telephone rang and Leslie took the
receiver and pushed Elizabeth gently aside.
He listened for a moment.
every WELL" he said. Then he hung up
and stood still before he turned around. His
"It isn't very good news" he said. 81 wish
could-Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth had crumpled up In small heap
on the floor.
The whole of the current fashionAc-
All through the long night that followed,
with the movement of feet through the
halls, with her mothers door closing and
the CHASTITY silence that followed it, with
the dawn that came through the windows,
the dawn that to Jim meant not new day,
but a ne Wife beyond their living touch,
all through the might Elizabeth was aware
of two figures that came and went. One
Dick, quiet tender and watchful. And
one was a heavy woman in a gaudy dress,
her face old and weary in the morning
light, who tended her with gentle hands
She fell asleep the light bright
ening in the east, with Dick holding her
hands and kneeling on the floor beside her
bed.