Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-03-22
CHAPTER VIII
Innocent Or Guilty?

n n RS. MALTBH'S face was unCOmpromls-
Nj ing, her thin lips were drawn into a
straight line, her beady black eyes
were severe as she fixed them on Miriam's
face For moment she did not speak, and
then as she looked around at the signs Of
packing, she remarked
Il see that you have decided to go. Well,
that's the best thing all told. l came up to
ask you to cut your stay short. People who
run a summer hotel can't be too careful, and
there's been some talk"
Miriam did not answer; she stood leaning
against the bureau in an attitude of polite
attention, but she made no attempt to excuse
herself for what had happened and after
moment Mrs. Matby went on speaking
Haven't you anything to say for yourself?
Upon my word l don't know what the girls
of today are coming to. When you came
here I thought you a nice, welmannered
girl; I virtually took you under my wing be-
cause you were alone. I felt justified in do
ing this, because | trusted you, but you have
betrayed my trust"
And still Miriam did not speak. A thought
full look on her face, she stood looking at
Mrs. Maltby. How typical the woman was of
New England. Everything about her bespoke
repression She was narrow, ultra-conven-
tional almost bgoted. She knew nothing of
the temptation besetting youth. Miriam
doubted if she had ever been young, if she
had ever known the joy of hot young blood
rushing through her veins. if she had ever
looked upon human love and emotion as any
thing but sins of the flesh.
I'm sorry you feel as you do" The girl
brought out the words stiffly.
Sorry; I should think you would be sorry!
You have brought disgrace upon my place, to
say nothing of your own dishonor. Have
you no shame? Don't you appreciate the
enormity of your wrong-doing?
Il have done nothing to feel ashamed off,
Miriam returned proudly. 1T was an unfor
tunate incident, but not wrong"
"Not wrong!" Mrs. Maltby fairly Kissed
the words. mot wrong to remain away
overnight with young and attractive MANI"
1T wasn't through choice" Miriam felt
wild inclination to laugh. Mrs. Maltby's
attitude Of righteousness seemed suddenly
absurd so absurd that the girl hadn't even
the inclination to defend herself.
what do you mean?"
81 mean that Mr.. Holmes and I missed the
last train. l was upset, but there wasn't
anything to do. I am telling you this, Mrs.
Maltby, because I feel that l do owe you
some explanation You have been kind to
me, but it wasn't kind to come to my room
with the idea Of putin me out of the hotel.
If you did trust me as you say you did you
might have given me the benefit of the
doubt"
But you did remain away all night, and
there must have been some reason for your
missing the train. You're not a child, you
1t seems strange to me that you couldn't have
found some way of returning last night. AS
it is, you'll never convince any one of your
innOcense never
Il haven't the slightest intention of try
ing" Miriam said evenly. And as far as
you are concerned, Mrs. MaItby, you can go
downstairs and tell every one that you have
asked me to leave. That will absOlve you
from everything, and [ know that's what you
want"
well, upon my soul you take the matter
very lightly" sputtered the indignant wom-
an. Some day you'll realize just how seri-
Gus it is, and then you'll appreciate my
feelings"
Il don't see what more 1 can do" Miriam
returned you say yourself that no one
will believe me. Do you believe me, Mrs.
Maltby? DO you believe that l am limo
cent?"
Mrs Matby flushed a dull red. II don't
know. You don't seem like that kind of girl,
and yet the whole thing looks very funny
to me-"