Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-02-28
HER MONEY
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER TXIII

wy ITHOUT a word Althea had given the
wv woman the money she asked for.
had given it with sense of shame
that made her flush crimson. She knew
it wrong; knew that she was giving this
woman TO think she wished ner to
watch Peter-not only watch, but report
to her. She felt ashamed that she had
belttled herself even in Nurse Bundy's
eyes. Yet there was something within her
that urged her to say nothing, to hold her.
self aloof as far possible, yet give the
money so that she might know what Peter
did AS before she quieted her conscience
by saying:
IT nave the right to know and there
is no other way"
To the casual or other observer Peter and
Althea Graham lived as did hundreds OF
other undemonstrative married people, the
husband absorbed in his business the wife
attending to her home duties and finding
interests where she could or wiled
Althea was a model housekeeper, but
now with two servants, capable cook and
man for outside work, the supervision
OF her home took but a small amount of
her time
That they saw little Of each other save
at meals goes without saying At table
they were scrupulously polite to each other.
ana naturally seldom discussed before Jane
Had things between them been different
Althea would probably have told him of
MISS Bundy's visit, her demands for money.
put he knew nothing of the matter-that
three separate times she had blackmaiIed,
Althea. 1t was nothing else
Peter unfolded the morning paper inst
as Althea tore open an envelope addressed
In an unfamiliar hand. Her face flusbed
really as she read the few words scrawled
on the sheet Of paper sort of easn &C.
capped her. but Peter did not notice. His
race was bent frowningly over the paper an
angry and puzzled look in his eyes
Althea do you have any idea what thi.
means? Why Miss Bundy has dared do
thls?' His tone was icy, his angry face
grave. -"07
what is it?"
He passed her the paper with hand that
trembled.
She read:
Nurse Arrested for Drunkenness. Sends
Word to Wife of Prominent Surgeon for
Bail" -0A
Althea paled at the headlines She hardly
dared read the arti@le that followed
There had been brawl of some sort in
the boarding house where Miss Bundv han
a room. The police had been called in she
nad resisted arrest and been particularly Of
tens17e. She had declared she cou1d pot
ia Dali NJ they allowed her to write to friend.
Inc friend" to whom she had written was
pne wife of Dr. Peter Graham. the vonno
surgeon whose work had attracted so much
favorable notice ~
There was much more but this was tba
slst OF what Althea read. When finally sha
raised her eyes, Peter was gazing sternIv
at her. ee eteihly
VOW mat you have read that scandalous
UiCle Will you please explain?" he asked
I'm
would bail her out" AIthea parried
'She has some reason to tbink 60
eviQently. She has written you" he added.
pointing TO the letter beside Althea's nlate
yes" her voice was very low.
Let me see it!' Even in the stress of
the moment Althea noticed the command in
his voice. He did not ask favor; he de-
manded her obedience.
A thought of rebellng came to her; to
tear up the note which really told nothing
beyond what they knew. But there was
something compelling in Peter as he waited
and after "a moments hesitation she hahueo
I him the note.
81 have been arrested" he read. ut Is
la mistake. You come and bail me out.
Mrs. Graham, and | can prove 1t. | have
no one else to ask and in view Of your
other kindnesses to me am sure you won't
refuse me"
Peter read, reread the note before he
spoke. Then:
ITO what other kindnesses' does she re-
fer?"
"You know I was good to her when she
was here"
"Yes-I know that for some unaccount-
able reason you seemed to like the woman
But this reads if she referred to particu-
lar kindnesses, not just your general atti-
tude toward her" Again he read the note
carefully. His brows knit. 1t was terri
BILE blow to him-that the papers should
mix his wife up with the case of common
drunk.
II was only kind I felt sorry for her"
Continued Saturday. IL your' subscription
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