Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-03-20
CHAPTER VI

|
| n II IRAN and Warren Holmes drove III
! ~ to the Pine Notch hotel shortly after
| $50. Early as it was, there were sew
eral people on the yeranda, and, as they en-
tered the lobby, they encountered youth
unlocking couple with tennis racquets in
| their hands.
Hello, Anne!" Miriam said, lightly
The girl responded rather stiffy and went
on. She was plainly DESTROYS of avoiding a
chat with Miriam. The man was kinder. He
paused, and, grinniug rather VacuouSly, made
some remark about it being a peach of a
day Miriam tancied that lie avoided her
eyes. He looked directly at Warren al
though the remark included both of them
He's condemned me on circumstantial ev-
idence,' the girl thought, grimly. Its not
talr; it's rotten not to give a girl chance -
She said nothing, however, but walked on,
with her head held high. She was con-
sclous that Holmes was still with her, and
as they neared the elevator, he spoke.
will you give me a few minutes of your
time little later in the day."
The girl turned to him, her eyes flashing
Il don't think so; what good would it do?
Apparently everyone knows, and of course,
they'll all believe the worst. / could never
convince them or anything else not that I'd
try"
Her impulse to make the best OF things
was gone, vanished with Anne Coleman
alootneSs and the unmistakable attitude of
the man with her. Quite suddenly Miriam
felt that she hated Warren Holmes. and,
without another word to him, she entered
the elevator and was whizzed upstairs AS
she fled along the corridor she was con-
sc1ous of the fact that she passed people. but
she saw no one. Dimly she realized that
she was behaving badly; she was sinking
along avoiding people as though she were
guilty of wrongdoing; but she was beyond
caring. She had reached the door of her
room and was inserting the key in the lock
when someone spoke her name.
80, Miss Folwell!"
Miriam looked up.
A woman was standing beside her q wom-
an with Enthusiastically touched-up hair and
manufactured pink-and-white complexion
Miriam did not know Ter name She re-
membered dimly having avoided her because
she so obviously belonged to the class of
women Miriam did not care to know. Now
an coldly
What is it?"
why, dearie, you're upset The cats al
ready have their claws in you, I can see
Inat us a shame girl can't have an in
hocent bit of fun without having to nav for
it afterward. just wanted to tell Won I'm
with you, and, if there's anything I can
She stopped. Miriam's face was not en-
cOuraging ~
Just what could Won do for map, 49,
girl asked, evenly.
Why, I thought" the woman faItered
lamely, you might need a friend. someone
10 conhde in. I've heard some of the GOSSIP
gong around, and I'm sorry for you. but, il
you're going to take that highland mighty
attltude; If you're going to pretend"
Pretend what?" Miriams tone was re-
! lentless. 90
pretend innocence; pull the baby stare
and all that" '''A
Miriam shivered, and, suddenly, the fcy
rlgldlty of her face softened until every fea-
lure seemed to culver. Long shudders
l paSs9u over her body, and as she turned to-
could hardly hold the key SO this was what
she had come to, and at the thought she fell
d sensation of nausea that turned her faint.
Inns dreadful woman was proffering svmna-
my because she felt there was no Longer
amy reason why she, Miriam should be
proud and disdainfuI She believed +bo
worst, but she was willing to condone If
Inc THOUGHT was hnrrihlel ~.