Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-03-22


Nv was Mrs Graham who had planned to
have Doris come to them she could
scarcely believe she heard Alright. Her DIS
belief, her establishment showed plainly In
the look she turned upon the doctor. he
smiled and said:
$50 dry your eyes, and be happy. | have
great hopes that the change, being where you
can spend a good deal of time with her, will
be beneficial
But Peter himself still specialized regard
ing Athea's motive. He had thought it was
because of Altheas desire to keep him away
from Ruth Williams, yet
He had decided firmly in his own mind
after Bundy told him her story-that Althea
was having him watched because she wanted
a divorce The two ideas didn't connect.
Perhaps she thought getting the child away
would aid her plans; that if he called on Mrs.
Williams it could not be attributed to his
anxiety over his little patient but to a desire
to see Ruth Williams, and so give her cause
to ask for a separation.
cts beyond me-" he said with shrug,
then tried to dismiss all thought about Ale
thea's reasons and take what she offered in
a grateful spirit
Would YOU like eny help or suggestions
as to making the room ready for Doris?" he
asked the next day.
Come and look at it. I think it Is ready"
Althea answered.
When he opened the door Peter gasped
with surprise. All the heavy furniture and
draperies had been removed and in their
place was little white bed dainty muslin
curtains, cane chairs a table beside the bed
with basket Of colored woods, some chill
drens books
"Why-Althea! 1t is perfect! l haven't
a single suggestion to make. This is more
than kind of you" He walked about look
ing at everything unable to hide his astonsh.
ment not trying to disguise his pleasure
Ia ho oclyo
whats the idea of the wools?" He
pointed to the basket
when I was little girl l used to play
for hours with colored woods, especially if
was i'll in bed Of course she may care moth
ing for them" unconsciously her voice grew
harder, "but they used to fascinate me:
matching up the colors twisting them into
strands, l can take them away If you think
best
''No. indeed! 1t is very clever idea, and
kind in you to think of it. am very pleased,
Althea. No one could have done moreno
one"
Althea turned away to hide the flush OF
pleasure his words brought to her face. She
had tried to do her best; to be appreciated
meant much to her 1t had been hard for her
to decide to give her generous emotions ex-
preston but once she had made her decision
she had taken real joy in fitting up the room
and found herself longing to make the little
girl comfortable and happy 1t was a new
interest and across her mind had swept the
thought that perhaps had she taken more in
terest in Peters hospital work, in his little
patients, she might have been happier.
Il couldn't with that woman there all the
time" she told herself in excuse
Doris was to be moved that afternoon.
Althea was in a perfect flutter of expectancy.
of excitement.
Had she done right to bring the child into
their home? Could she endure having Miss
Howard ri oh had vic IN
win Peter from his allegiance to her. in her
rooms, seeing her daily?
But over and above all the question::
Would it keep Peter away from the handsome
widow, Ruth Williams?
When Doris was carefully carried in
placed in the little white bed, Althea forgot
all her worrisome questions in surge Of
pity for the lovely, frail child. She wor-
shipped beauty and Doris Howard was an ex.
ceptfonally beautiful child. Peter repeated
a remark Doris had once made to him, when
Althea spoke of her loneliness.
Il told her once she was too pretty to
worry and she said: God had to give me
something, l guess to pay for making me
lame. 1t would be awful to be lame and
ugly, too"
Il never saw lovelier child" Althea had
replied enthusiastically Her features are al
most perfect, and that mass of golden curls.
her lovely eyes like voets, are wonderful
She is as loVable as she is lovely" Peter
replied. You will find that out for yourself,
however, Althea. You mustn't let her make
you too much work. Jane and her sister can
wait upon her.
"Of counsel" AIthea answered. somehow a
bit hurt.
AS soon as the child had rested she talked
enthusiastically to Althea. They were alone
for a moment
Il knew Doctor Peter must have a. nice
wife, she said naively "but you are nicer
than thought. What pretty basket and
such lovely colors. Is it your work, Mrs.
Peter?"
mo, it Is yours" Althea replied. amused
at the name Doris gave her. II used to love
to play with woods when I was a little girl
Ike you, so 1 thought you might like to
also"
Continued Tuesday. This story is nearing
the end Renew now to avoid missing the
concluding chapters.
MY FAVORITE STORIES
BY IRWIN COBB
Shortly after