Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-04-19
CHAPTER I'LL

CHAPTER I'LL
r NCLE ROBERT had dned with u.s. 7
| had looked forward with delight to his
- meeting with Natalie. But someway
had been disappointed, yet could not tell
why. Natalie had been all amiability. She
never had looked more lovely, yet / sensed
an antagonsm, almost an instructive dislike.
tried to dismiss the impression but it per-
sisted, making me most uncomfortable.
your uncle doesn't like me-" she broke
the silence. Uncle had not fingered, plead
ing WEAKNESS.
Nonsense! Why do you say that?"
Intuition-perhaps."
We'll even if you are right, which do
not admit, he soon will He couldn't help it
if he tried. The old boy is a little jealous,
perhaps I've always lived with him, and
he's lonely now"
She smiled her inscrutable smile with
something of arrogance in it. I liked this
! in Natalie, this appreciation of herself It
armored her against the world. Her beauty
her tact would win her friends, to say moth
ing of her position as my wife. l say this
without egotsm.
| AS far as I could see there was not even
mint OF cloud on my horizon. Uncle was
as kind as ever, although he refused to come
10 see US often, declaring he was more COM
Portable in his own "diggins." But l knew
he was lonely, that he missed me. The trag-
edy OF his life had drawn us closely together
AN intense pity mingled with my love for
him, my gratitude to him ] had explained
this to Natalie, telling her of my aunt
How awful" she had said with shrug.
then changed the subject. She hated to talk
OF disagreeabe things.
Ga1ety, constant excitement was what she
craved [ was young enough to indulge her
without feeling the strain, to say nothing of
my love that could deny her nothing. Her
heaFh was perfect she never admitted she
was tired. Almost every evening found US
at the theater, some dancing club or both
NataHe had replenished her wardrobe
bought her trousseau," she said-and was
appropriately gowned. Her exotic beauty
excited admiration and I was fattered
we were very busy at the office For the
nrSt time L telephOned that l would be un-
able to be at home for dinner. Natalie was
out and Dora the maid, took my message.
1t was little Nafter midnight when +
reached nome. When | bent to kiss her she
Threw me the glance one gives to refrac-
tory child and in a querulous voice demand
ed to know where l had been.
Womans curiosity she explained as I
frowned at the question
she waited. The clock licked loudly as T
pondered my reply. A flicker of resentment
touched her eyes at my silence. l knew she
was disturbed as to the motive Of my failure
to answer her.
'You don't answer" she complained
Don't you want me to know where YOU
have been?" ~"
The doubt, the lack of trust decided ma
1t isn't that" I replied. Its the ethics
OF the thing. Curiousity killed the cat.
you know, Natalie I consider nersono1
| questioning bad form"
one raised her delicate1y arched evebrows
one evidently did not relish the rebuff Tho
( Then: in'ie'eht'
II YOU have been doing nothing vroro
why not tell me?" e'
/ have no doubt I could 3nvont m 80
SWer mat would satisfy you even thoueb
/ Wv not leH you the TRUTH" I feplied after
DIT But that isn't my way. have a.,
aiEo ia!Ioo oellef that man should not be
queSliohed ABOUT his actions-his con,irn,
and his goingsH cummings
1 had not intended to speak so. but her
| inference mad suddenly made it seem i'm.
pela1Ve tnat declare myself. Did I not.
every time it was necessary to absent n,,
self she would be suspicious r,isarabla my
very we'll" Her tone wac o,,,,;,
quleC' shall claim the same nrvilaee, :.
mad nothing to conceal A business an
polhtment with client, nothing she might
not nave known about. Had she not oues-
'Ioheu me IN the manner she did | probably
Should nave told her, but now it would
De establishing notwithstanding T
was determined not to do. That she won1a
claim the same privilege amused me W.
were not children to give an account or
our actions. / had passed NV twnntv-oia,,th
III 'nudy and Elaine was twenty-five.
Il shall always try to telephone when
am obllged to remain OUT | told her after
Dill But it might happen that cannot.
gu dlhe at the regular hour. If I am late
S Id not complain if the dinner is cold"
no" lnconsequential you are" she said.
otHIiHs yaWn. isn't it an unusual trait
in MANI" az
Perhaps" l was barely conscious OF
had
glorious hair and / was admfring the dark
ven 1t formed for her exquisite shoulders.
the frame of her lovely face
mat had given her cause to doubt my
love never dreamed.
Continued Tuesday. This latest story by.
Miss Beecher will delight those who read
her previous novels, "A Woman Obsessed"
and Her Money"