Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-03-13
HER MONEY
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER Xxx

LTHEA had drifted into an acquaint-
~ ance with an ultra smart set OF men
- and women whose lives were rather
hectic. Excitement! That was what they
all sought, the excitement Of drink-in spite
of prohibitiOn-of cards of daring dress and
speech anything to keep from being bored
with themselves and with each other.
Peter had no interest in this set yet ne oc-
casionaly joined them for appearance sake.
They we're unaffectedly glad to have the fa-
nous surgeon and his wife amongst them be-
cause they brought in new interest a new
element.
AS Peter looked at them, artificial, super
fetal, he felt a deadly fear that Althea might
become one Of them that if because she was
unhappy with him she would become one OF
them He did not believe she really enjoyed
herself with them that she liked that sort OF
thing-their gay parties, etc, She was bored
restless ready to snatch at anythlng thaL
gave her fOrgetfune ss-forgettulneSs OF MIN,
Of her bondage. But as much as he could,
he would stand between her and them He
would try and hold her to him, even II the
wav were distasteful. That is he would hold
her as long as he could.
But he could not often go with her, ana
then he knew that Kenneth Moore looked
after her. Well, Moore was decent sort
morally and Peter knew he cared nothing
for these gay affairs except that they brought
him and Althea together.
"Better him than some Of those lounge
lizards - Peter said.
But there were times when Althea sicken-
ed of all the gilt and glamor, when her very
soul sickened and longed for the quiet home
life Of Nell and Rodney Blackwell. Not that
Nell and Rodney were hermits, but her gay
ety. their youthful enthusiasms were whole
some They cared nothing for the hectic life
of cafes and cabaret halls, the theater, the
opera Occasional dinners at their home or
the house of some FRIEND where game OF
bridge followed the dinner, filled all craving
for excitement filled it healthily.
When with them Althea felt sort of con-
tent but her restlessness would not longer let
her remain at hoem alone, so she would go
with these Others finding entertainment II
not forgetfulness. Even Moore complained
that he seldom saw her alone save "nen rlo-
ing to and from some affair.
Peter watched her guardedly. She was not
looking we'll to his professional eyes, al
though she never had been handsomer or in
gayer spirits But certain languor IN the
morning not unbecoming dark circles under
her eyes, told him she was wearing herself
out and-for what?
Because she is unhappy.
1t was his answer to, the question. 10 MS
mind, the only answer
Peter looked worried; anxious.
Little Doris, in spite of her surroundings
and care was not improving as fast he
sister vet he felt he could not spare Miss
Howard again-in justice to his office pa
| tients, to himself
Althea noticed and told herself:
HE is fretting because of his feeling for
Mrs Williams"
'Is something worrying you Peter?"
'Why do you ask?"
81 thought you looked worried
cts nothing unusual, yet had so hoped
for an unqualified success in my operation,
delicate as it was. Doris Howard ism t DONG
as well as l wish"
"Why-I-she's getting spch wonderful
attention, so you have said. She
chats right! No one in the world could
have given her better care. But she isn't
happy, poor thing and that means so much
in a case like hers"
'Not happy? 1 don't understand"
"She tries to hide it," Peter went on.
shes a brave little creature, but she misses
her sister-frets for her. She was doing
finely but the last week she hasn't improved,
in fact has gone back little. She is So trall
that the slightest setback may work harm.
''Why not let her sister go back to her IL
YOU think she needs herr" Her voice hard as
always when she spoke of Hiss Howard.
Il can't in fairness to my other patients
or to myself I have several people on the
sick list that need careful attention. l must
have someone in the office upon whom l can
absolutely depend"
They were silent for a time Peters brows
knit, Althea struggling with the DID, so often
discarded impulse-the thought that had
come to her so often.
Finally he pushed back his chair.
81 must go around and see what kind OF
night she had" He sighed heavily. Athea
started to say something, then closed her lips
firmly.
81 cant!" she said as the door closed upon
Peter.
Continued Tuesday. If your subscription
expires in March or April renew now SO as