Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-02-23
CHAPTER XIII
Making Up Her Mind

| ~ ALL fingered in the dressing room
I 1 after Gracia and Dot had departed.
~ Her high spirits were beginning to
drop from her as she realized the serious
ness of the situation she was facing and a
sick depression was gripping her heart. This
| was her hour of triumph, for Arch Ken
nerley was on the verge of proposing to
her. Not only could she look forward to
a life of luxury if she accepted him, but
she would have the satisfaction of hurting
and infuriating Fay, and revenge was sweet.
Then what held her back? Was it only
the fact that she did not love him? Wasn't
there something more? Was she still think
ing of Jeffry Arnold, the artist, and that
one moment when he had looked at her
with understanding blue eyes? But that
was madness! by, she didn't know the
man and had no way of meeting him. Was
she going to be sentimental enough to go
on dreaming of the impossible and let this
chance slip through her fingers?
She forced herself to think of Arch Ken
nerley. Oh, she couldn't! And yet, the
thought of going back to Dalesburg penni-
less and defeated struck her like blow
Her funds were gradually depicting. She
had been In New York almost six months
and she had only little over two thousand
dollars of her legacy. Three thousand dol
lars in six months! Why, it was scandal
Gus! And what had she to show for it?
1t looked as if she would have to marry
Arch in order to Justify what she had done
even to herself.
Facing the situation fairly and souare1v.
Can realized that during her six months in
the city, she had accustomed herself TO Ink
urles. 1t would be more than difficult to
go pack to the old life of going without
things. And yet, how weary she vas If
life as she was living it. The ceas SO os
round OF pleasure-seeking, the high pitch
oI excitement necessary to carry on and the
empty bralnlessness of the people she called
her friends. 10 00ii0o
mot Not one of these girls was really friend.
GalI did not doubt that if her finanniai
status were discovered she would ha dronnad
c tAe d not potato by every one in the sot
Sooner or later she would be discovered
s ond would y nave to acknowledge the truth
gtIo uroP out: And then, what? Oh, no,
! thine 0u sba lace the possibility of such a
w. bni"s she must strike while the iron was
"0I, IL was the only way out!
II was after o'clock when Arch bu,d1od
her INTO the limousine and seated himseIt
by by ner SIDE: The night was bitterly cola
bothouso oe ro IL was as, warm and the scent OF
I rGtiouSe roses hIled the small jncLosure
w. w." sweetness. Calls tired eyes lifted ~
ene crystal vase fastened to the sido ~ 49, ~
''I ana tears stung her eyeIids, 'ile
c,,, XIV symooIcal were these roses, Tbo1
Wy mi 4tpol1zed luxury the little things thai
WIIhout a great deal of none ~ 'id
possible to attain. were I'M
tb Inc car slid off into the darkness a,d
men suddenly Arch turned in tho 49, an" ht!
arms were around her. '0"' nlS
tne U Ijtt; Gail you little devil, you tantaiz
n ,ns ttIe Vamp. I'm crazy about [ vow a.
I I'1 know 1t, and you're crazy abo" p0' uc
lo III not going to stand for anv mora me me
a q"Se now want the matter settled rght here
hon new; mo-" about Jo, trip to Europe fo1
| you?" IKE that, wouldn't
He was turning her face up to his and
Calls eyes closed, At that moment She
| couldnt bear to look at him. She hated
nm nm as Well as herself, and yet she knew
mai IN moment she would promise tc