Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-04-29
CHAPTER VII


/ indiscretiOn in giving so much of her
n time to Ned Church. Her air Of inno-
cence, her seeming surprise that should
object to her being nice to one Of my friends
confused and embarrassed me.
81 thought you wanted me to like your
friends" she said, looking at me through
half-cIosed lids.
II do-mo8t of them. I should have
warned you against Ned. He's indefatigable
in his pursuit of any woman who arouses
his interest for the moment. But he Is not
at all discriminating and it isn't as much or
a compliment as it appears when he deyotes
himself to new acquaintance"
"Really-how interesting" she drawled in
her most musical tones.
Il only wanted to warn you, dear. People
will gossip, you know, and I can't endure
that you should be criticized"
"Of course you can, but it isn't wise to
antagonize people. And l don't want you to
give them even a semblance of an excuse"
"In other words I must be like Caesars
wife-aboye reproach. You should have mar
red an angel, Bruce. A mere mortal Is not
good enough for you"
"You are too good for me, darling.
haven't yet ceased wondering yet how came
to win you" And forgetting there such
person as Ned Church in the world, L
spent the next ten minutes telling her what
a wonderful girl she was. But saying moth
ing Of my great love for her.
than usual. Natalie was out. When she
returned looking fascinatingly lovely, her
eyes shining, face glowing, asked:
where have you been, dear?"
81 have an ingrained belief that woman
should not be questioned about her comings
and goings." She quoted me.
l felt myself flush, an angry answer, sup
pressed with an effort, rose to my lips
But dear" I stammered, you looked
so happy, so-as if you had been enjoying
NTn11 nj In, ho1n hIlt ho intp fod
"Curiosity killed the cat, you know"
Again quoting, as nonchalantly she removed
her hat and gloves.
Dora announced dinner. All through the
meal I felt Natalie was under an excitement.
Looking furtiyely at her [ caught an intro
spectiye smile touching her lips, her eyes.
She was even gayer than usual, laughing,
and talking constantly.
$50 you aren't going to tell me where
you were this afternoon" I asked as we
left the dining room, my arm about her
waist
''No indeed You made a rule, certainly
shall not break it, You see it is the
ethics of the thing. I consider personal
questions bad form" She had not forgotten
one word I had said to her.
I tried to think that she was only teasing
me, that later she would tell me. | could
not very well retract what 1 had sad--would
not. But when I remained out business
was the cause, while she had no such ex-
with whom she had spent her leisure hours
| caught myself. I was quoting her. She
was but getting ven-childish--like a
woman. I would forget all about it. Say
more.
Garth Holden dropped in about o'clock.
Il took chance on your being in" he
said as We greeted him.
And now that you've come, you and
Bruce must take me out later, I'm just I
aching for a dance" Natalie said at once.
mt niT1Cp +hn OP
ing place to which she wanted to go.
I'm at your service-as always" Garth
replied his eyes only showing surprise. At
what? L wondered.
[ telephoned for table, as Natalie was
always impatient about waiting to be served,
then we chatted until time to go. Garth
and Natalie were dancing and after watch
ing them a moment l went out in the cor
ridOr to walk about and smoke where the
air was better
When returned they were busily chat
ting and did not see me.
you are interchangeable" Garth was say
ing. Dancing all the afternoon and as
fresh tonight as if you hadn't danced for
week | don't see how you women do it, It
would kill me-"
SO Natalie had been dancing that after
noon and Garth had seen her, known whom
she was with. This accounted for the sur
Drised look in his eyes when she was aching
for a dance
% mere you are, NataIle turned QUICK
ly. Come on, let's dance"
She danced perfectly and I was no novice
myself. l never tried to talk to her when
dancing; she dislil1ed to dance with anyone
who did. But my thoughts were as busy
as my feet I knew Garth never would tell
me he had seen her-of course I couldnt
question him. l cursed myself for my tact
lessness in refusing to tell her where had
been when | had nothing to conceal. The
green-eyed monster was claiming me- I .
was jealous-furiously jealous. She was so
lovely, SO tempting.
Continued Thursday. Start this story now,
You will find it of absorbing interest.