Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-10-11
CHAPTER XVI
Some Plain Facts

" ULIl1'S hands clinched in her lap. She
| felt that it was now or never. She must
y assert herself, she must, she must!
Claudia l cannot allow you to speak to
me like that" she said evenly. She raised
her head and met Claudias gaze full, but
there was something about the girls expires.
sion that made her own eyes waver. 1t was
an expression so maievoent SO full OF con-
centrated scorn that it seemed to Julie that
she could hardly bear to meet it.
"You dare to assert your authority over me,
you!" Claudias tone was low and intense.
You must be mad. If you don't like the way
| behave, go to my father with it, but don't
make yourself ridiculous by interfering. After
ALL what do you know? You, who made up
your mind to ensnare my father deliberately,
who schemed to make him marry you. 20
and tell him what | said, IL you like. I've
been waiting for something like this, and !,
too will have few things to say. | can
make you ridiculous before him. | can show
YOU They know a servant always knows,
and hesitates to obey any one who Is unused
to authority.'
Claudia's wild outburst was interrupted by
the entrance of Josephine, the rather pertly
pretty waitress. AS a matter of fact Josephnel
had been listening at the door of the butlI p
pantry, and her face drawn into rather
insoent smile. Julie this, and her own
face went scarlet The hot tears rose to her
eyes, and leaving her dessert untasted, she
rose and left the table
In the library she walked up and down UNI
certainly. Claudia's vicious words were still
echoing in her ears, and she was we'll aware
of the fact that if she did not take some
stand, life in her husbands house would be
henceforth unbearable. She would have to
speak to Matthew She would have to enlist
his aid, even if by doing so she admitted her
own weakness. She wondered vaguely il
Claudia would seek her out again before leav-
ing the house, but shortly afterward she heard
Claudias light footsteps descending the stairs
A moment, later there came the peal Of the
doorbell, murmured voices and then the front
door slamming, and the sound of an automobile
outside.
Julie spent an interminable evening She
tried to read, but found that she could not
keep her mind on the printed Lage, and from
time to time she dropped the book in her lap
and tried desperately to decide what to do.
She knew that Claudia would arrive home be-
fore the last train was due. But when shortly
after eleven she heard the latchkey in the
door she sprang to her feet with little cry
of surprise. A moment later Matthew was
entering the library.
Still up?" he said, coming over to her and
taking her in his arms. For moment there
was silence. His nearness never failed to
thrill Julie to the depths. Sometimes she
would go to his closet and hold one of his
coats against her face just for the joy OF
seeming near to him, and tonight she closed
her eyes and breathed deep that mingled smell
of tweed, tobacco and freshly Numbered linen.
Thought I'd get home early and surprise
you" Matthew said at last drawing away
He was uncomfortable sometimes at jules
obvious alteration There something cold
in his nature, something that despised the
sentimental in relationships. Perhaps if he
had loved Julie more he would have been diff
ferent, but it she sometimes embar-
raised him..
where's Claudia" he asked, tipping back
her face and looking into it closely. And then
suddenly a look of amazement swept over his
features, and he bent to scrutinize her more
closely.
you've been crying What has happenedf
Has anything gone wrong? Answer nc, Julie,
answer me Immediately"