Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-07-01

peculiar note in her voice There was
no place L particularly wished to co.
She had wanted to go to Newport and
when 1 refused her she wouldn't go ana
where, my thought. But | made no j
reference to her disappointment.
"You should have gone with me-" said.
"It was glorious UP there in the woods.
Next year 1 shall try to stay at least q
month" -
II am glad you enjoyed yourself" she
returned in a. quiet spritless way. There
had been something strange about her,
something unusual that felt but could not
analyze Now I knew; it was the lack OF
spirit, Of her usual vivacty, which had
never before been lacking even when things
did not go to her liking. What had hap-
pened to deaden her voice, to affect her to
such an extent? nat
I'm afraid you found it dull, especially
after your mother left, L returned, looking
keenly at her. eve must make UT for it.
I'll have to hustle down to the office now,
but we'll go on a little spree tonight. Make
up your mind where. I'll be home early
Every WE'LL she replied in the same
voice.
1 chatted with Uncle Robert for few
moments and was going through mass Of
accumulated mail when Kirk Brooks came
into my office.
"Here's half Of what owe you," he said
without preamble. III
"But it isn't due YETI said as I rose,
shook hands with him and drew up a chair
near my own.
II know, but" he hesitated, showing
embarrassment. Natalie told me she
bought all those things for mother, that
she charged them to you-that you refused
to pay the bills and that that was why she
sent them to me. You did perfectly right
to refuse" he said, recovering himself Moth
didn't need all those folderols and If she
did it wasn't up to you to pay for them
you didn't marry the family"
"You told Natalie you borrowed the
money from me?"
mo. I thought perhaps you wouldn't
care to have her know under the circum.
stances. But Natalie gave me that" point.
ing to the money he had laid on the desk
Natalie gave you five hundred dollars!
She must have had mighty little left for
herself these last few weeks" weo.r
Il took it because had to-" her brother
went on, land think right in letting
Natalie help. Mother never would have
been so extravagant by herself, and from
what Natalie said to me I think she feels
it her duty to pay me. mT
9TH get you the rest-someway-wh
1t is due" he added after a considerable
silence during which my mind had been
working rapidly.
Never mind worrying about it, Kirk.
Pay it when you can But I want your
promise never to let Natalie know you bor-
roWed that money from me. would rather
lose the other five hundred than have her
know"
~ never shall tell her. And, Bruce,
wish l could make you understand how T
felt when I found out had borrowed your
money to do the very thing with it that
you had refused to do. I never felt so
mean, small in my life. 1t was all r
could do to get up courage to come here
today and tell you"
Don't feel that way, old man" He had
risen to go and I also STOOD extending my
hand. 81 want to see more of you, Kirk.
You and I must become better acquainted"
Its fine of you to say that, Bruce. I'll
drop in here occasionally"
After he left I sat for time staring
straight ahead, seeing nothing Natalie, ex-
travagant Natalie, had saved the money I
had given her--her personal allowance and
what I had given her for her vacation-to
pay her mothers bills. After bit I re-
Taxed and went with my work. I would
take her action as good sign, believe her
conscience had troubled her. She had de-
MED Notwithstanding I never had known
her to do. Butt was for her brother she
had done this, not for me. 5
We dined at smart hotel, then went to
the theater. Natalie had planned the ewes
ming as I had suggested AS we were putt
Storm, quite a social favorite, came over
to us. 0nftS
Madame Elsie was asking after you to-
day." she told Natalie. "She wanted to
know if you were still away. think she
is worrying for fear you'll buy your gowns
elsewhere. I don't blame her for wanting
to dress you; I don't know anyone who is
a better advertisement for her You have
such exquisite taste, to say nothing Of her
own. and you wear your clothes so WE'LL"
Madame needn't worry" came Natalie's
cool tones. II haven't bought any ney
clothes lately"
For the first time 7 noticed Natalie had
on dress she had worn several times be-
fore, one / had told her particularly
becoming, a dull feathery green, changeable
in different lights. I felt uncomfortable.
although she looked charming. She had not
bought any new clothes because she had
given her brother her money. Yet I had
no intention of reinrbursing her. She had
a very large wardrobe and must keep within
her allowance.
AS I draped her cloak about her shout
ders whispered that she was lovely. Shes
shrugged and said: "You are easily
pleased"
Continued Thursday. This story Is near
ing the end. Renew now to avoid missing
the final chapters.