Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-05-01
CHAPTER VIII


THAT saw SO little of Uncle Robert ex.
cept during business hours was a real
"A sorrow to me. If I proposed spending
the evening with him, Natalie invariably had
some other plan, the theater, dancing or an
ENGAGEMENT to play bridge-made without
consulting me- Wien he formally invited us
to dine, she went along graciously enough
and once in a great while he dined with US.
But it was SO different from our old happy
intercourse that / knew he felt shut out
that neglected him.
When | spoke of this to Natalie, she said:
II don't propose to spend my time sitting
around watching while you two talk business
and smoke. You go to him whenever you
want to, | shall not object"
But I don't like to leave you alone, and
can't be happy away from you"
Nonsense! I'll do something to amuse
myself"
Her willingness to have me leave her hurt
me. Was she beginning to tire of my so-
ciety? Often I had thought of begging her
to spend an evening quietly at home, but in-
variably she had already made plans often
told me what she wanted to do before I had
opportunity to even make the suggestion.
We were very busy at the office and Uncle
Robert asked me to make short trip to
Boston in connection with some evidence we
Meeded | agreed readily. I would take
Natalie she had never been to the Hub and
could interest herself in the shops and sight
seeing while 1 was attending to business.
81 don't care to co. she said when l told
her of my trip.
But, Natalie, have to go"
"Well, run right along. You aren't tied
to my apron strings"
II thought you would enjoy it. You re-
member you told me you never had been to
Boston"
"TH go some other time, just now I don't
wish to- Her tone was final yet [ did not
cease to urge her.
81 shall be gone three or four days. You'll
be lonely"
''Not me! I'll have people here and your
pal Garth shall take me out at least one
evening"
"1f you are determined not to go I'll tele-
phone Garth to look after you, but I'm dis
appointed"
Sorry, old DEAR
telephoned Garth who agreed to do what
he could to help Natalie pass the time while
was away. Then packed my bag
Tell Natalie 1 am at her disposal, to let
me know when 1 am wanted" Garth had
said.
Don't look so solemn, Bruce. One would
think you were going to funeral instead Of
to Boston. I'll be here when you get back"
you'd better be-" | tried to speak cheer
fully But / felt anything but joyous. It
was not so much her refusal to go that hurt;
it her very apparent willingness to be
separated from me, the nonchalant way in
which she had declared her independence
absence.
Again, as so often before, I wondered if
really knew Natalie at all--if I ever would
know her? I had thought>her so exquisitely
feminine, SO dependent, and she was knock
ing all my preconceived notions awry. | was
learning that she could be hard at times, that
she never gave up her own plans to please
anyone, and that she could be perfectly con-
tent when l was away from her.
was she anxious for me to go?"
pushed the ugly thought from me. What
was getting into me to allow distrust to enter
my mind? All this while the train was speed
ing me away from her.
Impatient at myself I opened a magazine
and started to read. But I soon flung it
down. The story | had started told of
trustful man, decetful woman. I was in
no mood for such trash, 1 told myself.
Arrived in Boston telegraphed Natalie OF
my safe arrival, sent her my love, and, in an
effort to be unselish, added:
"Have a good time and write me-"
1 was determined to get back as quickly
as possible, rushed the business upon
which was sent. I had been gone but three
days would reach home that night. had
not telegraphed Natalie, 1 would surprise
her. Wouldn't she be pleased?
In spite of what she had said about anus
ing herself, I fully expected to find her at
home. 1t would be after midnight when 1
arrived. With pleased expectation let my
self in with my latch key, careful to make
no noise. The apartment was dark, save for
low light in the hall | tip-toed into the
bedroom switched the light. The room
was empty, the bed unruffled. Natalie was
out
My disappointment was keen. But short
ly | was able to laugh, to reason with myself.
Garth had taken her somewhere to dance.
I'd have a smoke and read until her return.
One o'clock two, three and still I was
alone. It was nearly four when I heard the
hOnk-honk of a motor and slipping into the
dark front room I looked out Of the window.
Natalie was standing the curb, beside a
man whom at first I did not recognize
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