Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-05-03
MY WIFE AND |
BY CAROLYN BEECHER

the charms OF Natalie Wn1le on a business
trip and marries her at once, without
knowing much about her or her family.
They begin housekeeping in a New York
apartment Roberts uncle, for whom ha
was named disapproves of the haste of
the wooing and wedding but says nothing.
Garth Holden, handsome and wealthy col
lege chum of Robert, dimes with. them.
Natalie appears not to fancy him, but II
shows a decided liking for Ned Church.
friend Of Bruce's, who is pretty much II
Of male flirt. Bruce returns late at night 1
4. from trip. Natalie reaches home later.
Now go with the story.
CHAPTER IN
S the man turned so the street light IL.
IN lumined his face I started with surprise.
L \ Ned Church, The interior of the carl
was lighted, Jessie was not with them.
We had seen little Of Jessie and Ned. Jes-
sic had been i'll and l had used her illness
as an excuse for not intruding upon them,
although Ned had continued their Sunday
luncheons regardless of her indisposition.
Natalie had agreed with me that it was bad
form to go under the circumstances; to my
knowledge she hadn't seen Ned excepting
when we had happened to run into him at
the theater or some dancing place.
AS she turned into the doorway | returned
to the bedroom, picked up my book and p :
tended to be reading. She would tell me af]
about it. | would not let her know l had seen
them
Home, old dear" she called she opened
the hall door. I had forgotten that I had
turned up the night light when I came in.
| went to meet her, taking her into my
arms and kissing her fondly
II thought you never would come have
been here since midnj ght,' I told her. II
would have looked you up if I had the least
idea where you WERE
Did you have a successful trip" she
.a1-a
involuntary gasp of admiration She had on
new gown, stunning affair in misty green,
cut daringly low as were all her evening
gowns
Like it," she turned to me laughingly.
"You are lovely" I replied. But why the
gorgeousness?"
'Why not? Why have clothes and not wear
them?"
1t my tongue to say I could not
afford any more clothes at present but instead
/ said
"Why not indeed? 1t looks like French
model"
ut is" she returned demurely. She named
the most exclusive modste Of them all and
the most expensive. Still | made no obiec.
ton. I would say nothing to annoy her, to
prevent confidence.
But she said nothing anent her evening, her
escort.
did Garth show up?" finally asked.
OF course! He took me to the theater last
night" She yawned Il am dead for Sleep
she added and went to bed. l did likewise
but long after she slept I lay thinking, wish
ing | had asked her where she had BEEN with
whom she had been. l raised on my elbow.
would ask her now, but she was sleeping
so soundly, she looked so lovely in the dim
light of the night lamp that 1 hadn't the
heart to wake her.
Now tell me what you did the rest of the
time | 7 al hrno yfoct
took you out one night? What about last
night?"
Now you're questioning me-" she said
with delicious pout And at once referred
TO something in the paper she held.
GU can't blame me for being interested
IN what you did while I was away" I re-
torted, stung by her reply.
II you must know 1 dined at the Nor
tons and afterward we went out to dance"
Mrs. Morton, a silly frivolous woman with
whom Natalie had become acquainted at a
modiste's shop, I dslked immensely and her
husband, whom Natalie had insisted upon nv
meeting, still more.
Don't look SO cross. like them both,
Lney are aWfully good sports and 1 am never
dull with them
Were you their only guest?" &
Cur1oslty-thy name is man." she re-
turned laughingly. Eyes, I was so honored.'
Again | hesitated. Should I question her
further? Was she keeping all mention OF
Ned Church from the conversation to tease.
to punish me, or had she some Interior mo-
tive?
She commenced ito talk of other things
ana lost my chance unless I badly intro
duced the subject again. / was late already
and uncle would be anxious to hear NV re-
port.
1t was not until 1 was buried under the
work that had accumulated on my desk dasc,.
ing my absence that | could dismiss the q
eldent from my mind. That and the CO.,
ness with which Natalie had greeted my reH
turn.
We have decided, Bruce" Uncle Robert
sald while we were lunchng together, ito
make you junior partner. l am getting
Ola and Hancock agrees with me that you
deserve now to be taken into the firm as an
active member"
was enormously pleased l knew IL
would happen some day but had not expect
ed it so soon. 1 thanked him, telling him
so and adding that 1 would try to warrant
the confidence placed in me.
nave no doubts where you are con-
cerned," he replied. Then buntly, care YOU
living within your income, Bruce?"
"Why-not quite" I stammered, taken
aback by the suddenness of the question
But l had saved something, you know"
When [ lived with him before my marriage
my expenses had been comparatively small.
Clothes, my clubs and money for entertain.
ing my friends occasionally comprised my
expenditures
"You should have been able to live with
out touching your savings / am afraid
Natalie is eXtravagant." 1t was not said In
a censorious way
She is artistic, loves beautiful clothes and
things for the apartment" I confessed II
have hated to deprive her."
Il see." He changed the subject
That night I could hardly wait to get
home to tell Natalie nv NEWS ~