Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-05-17


velops extravagant tastes-Now go on
with the story.
Il
CHAPTER XIV
TIME more l thought of Uncle's sugges-
ton the better 1 liked it. A quiet
summer in the country, place near
enough so that committing wouldn't be
hardship, appealed to me. Surely, after her
gay winter, Natalie would also welcome it.
Filled with pleasurable excitement left
the office early. Natalie and / would have
much to discuss. 1 would not tell her Uncle
was going to present us with a car. That
should be surprise.
Natalie was in evening dress. My heart
sank.
1--WE promised the Mortons we'll come
over and play cards. she said. Don't look
so glum. [ told them we couldn't come
before 9-that | had to listen to lecture
first
ooh, Natalie!" I exclaimed. Couldn't you
spare one entire evening for me, spend
it quietly at home? l had counted on it,
DEAR" l added as I saw her mouth set in
a straight rebellious line.
"You can say a good deal in two hours.
Well have dinner as soon as you are dress
ed, then the lecture can begin"
I too set my lips firmly. I would have
my talk with her, tell her honestly how I
felt about things, card party or not. For the
momentI forgot the country, the PLEASURE
felt it would give her.
After dinner she led me in mock solemnity
into the living room.
I'm ready" she said folding her hands
meekly in her lap, a comical expression on
her face. you've an hour and ten minutes
in which to deliver your lecture. Ease your
mind"
For an hour I talked; she scarcely moved,
never spoke unless to answer a pointed
question. 1 freed my mind of all that had
worried and annoyed me. I appealed to her
pride, her wifehood | spoke of her extrava-
gance, not complainingly, conceding it had
been my fault much hers because at
the beginning l had not curbed her expendi-
lures. [ told her I could not keep up the
pace we were going, that my health, my
pocketbook wouldn't stand it. Only at the
last did I speak of her foolish refusal to use
taxi with me, Of the modification her atti-
tude in this respect had caused me. At this
she ffared.
"You shouldn't complain. You refuse to
get me car. If my friends care enough
for me to take me where I wish to go, I
shall accept their kindness. You may as
we'll understand this. AS for what is becom-
ing wife, a hostess, have my own ideas.
Possibly they may be just as good as yours"
Not one vital thing had touched her-the
real thing that mattered in our life. Only
the little worries, the pinpricks of which
had spoken, impressed her. The thought of
her callousness tortured me.
Life would be a, delightfully."- dull af-
fair if lived your way-Id rather be dead!"
she said passionately as I arose Spend our
time sitting at home hating each other-and
with children taking up my time. I'll be old
some day, then perhaps I'll try your regime.
Until then I'll live my own life-as
choose" Then: Now that know how dis
appointed you are in me, let's go. It's after
nine
l followed her in daZe. I had honestly
tried to show her gently as 1 could where
we were drifting I had only angered her.
Yet I would not unsay one word. l had
spoken only the truth and I would not
crowd 1t back into my silent subconscious-
ness, where so long I had kept it locked, IL
l could.
$50 glad to see you" Mrs. Morton said.
"Did you joy the lecture, Natale?"
Immensely She darted me comical
glance.
"And you, Mr.. Henderson,"
"Of course he did. He gave It," Natalie
replied for me-
Mrs. Morton looked from one to the othe1
of puzzled. Natalie added: ~
"You see | have been bad naughty wife
for two years. Bruce bottled up his adj
vice to how he would like me to be until
tonight, so you will forgive us for being
late"
showing an embarrassment | had not CIV
en- her credit for the fneness of feeling to
know, Mrs Morton proposed that we start
playing at once, making no attempt to reply
to Natales facetiousness.
What are you going to do this summer"
sheNasked Natalie after while.
"Go to Newport" promptly replied Nat
allie.
How lovely! You may see us there"
said nothing. This was neither the time
nor the place to tell of my PLAN But I
would not go to Newport or any other resort.
Whether Natalie were willing or not would
take a little place in the country. But how
we had drifted apart that she should an
nounce her plans so decidedly without hav-
ing mentioned them to me.
When at last we reached home I went to
bed at once; / would wait until 1 was less
disturbed to tell Natalie my plans for the
summer. This thing between us--ft was
something more tragic, more hopeless than
any quarrel could be. Two people bound
together for life and asking different things
of life. Two people who by their very ma
lures would pull in different directions-yet
bound together. That Natalie had ceased to
love me Il was sure.
Yet-life with Natalie-I shuddered at
the chill thought of it. But years like the
two we had passed together Mightn't even
love grow fat, held long under such press
sure? l was bound to Natalie not by legal
tie alone, but by all the binding ties of the
spirit-by the magic of our honeymoon days
in the mountains, by her beauty, her gay
spirits, by my passionate love for her. Yek
how very little 1 knew her-I was not even
sure Of her love.
CONTINUED Tuesday,
sends one
b. S. Evans, Eunice, N. c., R. /, renews
send9