Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-02-02
CHAPTER TIT


CHAPTER LII
r KNEW there something wrong
with Althea and Peter!" Nell de-
clared to Rodney. "She's jealous
of that Mrs. Williams. She denied it, but
she couldn't fool mel"
What makes you think so if she denied
it?" Rodney asked.
ooh, her voice, the way she talked
everything."
How convincing you are," his voice
sarcastic.
well she doesn't like her-says she
, shows Partially to Peters cripples, that the
nurses at the hospital gossip about it-anef
oh, lot of things She dislikes that Miss :
Howard thought so NICE too. | guess
she caught her making free with Peter from
what she said about her not keeping her
place"
! ct doesn't seem bit like Althea to
! talk to you that way, Nell, and"
Il Wormed it out of her by telling her
believed she was jealous"
| Il thought, so-and, Nell dear, don't!
Peter Graham is to be trusted if ever a man
was. He's straight goods! I'd as soon, yes
sooner, doubt myself than him. Althea was
| upset over something and that quick wit OF
yours built story out of it,
I'm right, and some day you'll say so!'
Have the last word, dear" it's your
privilege. But be careful how you sympa-
thize with Althea for some fanced griev-
ance.'
What more than one knows the world
knows"
Kenneth Moore back in town, called on
Nell Blackwell to the boy born during
his absence. He spoke of Althea and Nell,
rising to the bait, repeated much of the
conversation they had the day Althea called.
Moore said little but his eyes flashed.
If Althea were really jealous she must care
more for Peter than he thought Yeti
| she were only disdainful, angry, as Nell said
she had declared, he might have returned
| in the nick of time
Nell also repeated what Althea had said
about Miss Howard
| She is very attractive girl, and young.
There might be cause there" he said.
"No-she dslikes her but merely thinks
her pushing, common, doesn't want her in
the house But it's Mrs. Williams she's
| jealous of. Rod laughs at me, says Peter
| is true blue. But know you men and Rod
| is the only one l have ever met l would
| trust"
What an awful opinion you have of the
! rest of us
| ~ mean it,
Don't you trust me?" with comical
look.
"You! Well, since you ask the question
| no. And Kenneth don't you compromise
Althea. I've been scared for fear the gos-
sips would talk about you two. You were
together an awful lot before you went
away" a.i
Moore laughed outright Nell was dear,
but OF all the gossips he knew she was
| really the worst. She was never indicative,
would not knowingly hurt anyone, yet she
was apt to make mischief.
Quite offended at his mirth, she wouldn't
| say another word about Althea but turned
| to what Mrs Williams had done while he
was away. She told him how she had taken
| the entire Howard family into her home,
had given the little girl Glens room, adding
that Peter visited the child there daily.
HAS Doctor Graham another nurse in
Miss Towards placer he asked.
Eyes, an awful old trump. But I under
stand she isn't to stay although Althea likes
her.
well, I must run along" he said.
Remember what I told you--don't be
seen with Althea so often!"
"All right
Queer that Ruth Williams should turn
her house into a hospital. Wonder if sha
could have let herself become infatuated
with Peter" he unused he walked along.
! Doesn't seem like her, but one never can
/ tel-and that husband of hers is a rotter.
Graham must seem almost like a saint by
comparison. Ruth is, handsome, too. A fine
woman. If"
Kenneth Moore had seen Althea before
calling on Nell, but had not mentioned it.
She had seemed delighted to see him, gayer
than lie often caught her, yet more
distant He had been more than little
piqued; thought his absence had put him
farther from her. Now he concluded She
was holding her feelings in check, that she
was annoyed with Peter for something per-
haps because of Ruth Williams and her
unusual gayety, her aloofness, was because
of that
Didn't dare trust herself to talk naturally
with me, to act naturally" he said. Just
like woman to act the way she did when
she is upset" He was passing florists anil
went in. He ordered a box of flowers sent
! to Althea, enclosing a note saying he'd call
for her to take a motor ride the following
afternoon and smiling he thought OF
Nel's advice: that he keep away from
Althea.
An hour later Althea's face was buried
in the fragrant blooms, while she murmured:
I'm glad somebody cares"
Continued Tuesday. Look Mt the label
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