Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-05-24
CHAPTER XVIII


READ until Natalie came in a little
| after
81 stopped at Miss Tyfords for you,
Natalie. Have you any objection to telling
where you have been?"
''Not in the least" she surprised me by
answering. med called up, said he was de"
tanned in town, and asked me to dance,
AS l infinitely prefer dancing to NAH jong.
| accepted
You see good deal of Ned, don't your"
con, | don't know! OF course, L see him
occasionally, why shouldn't II"
For moment L felt almost vicious, not
entirely because she had felt the allure OF
another man but because she was making
herself an object of public remark.
Aren't you afraid you will be misunder-
stood?''
''Not by anyone for whose opinion I
care"
what about Jessie, and-me?"
''Wel, what about you, and-Jessie?"
els it fair to us to allow your name to
be linked with Ned's?"
EVIL to him who evil thinketh," she
quoted then with a hasty goodnight left
me, declaring she had danced every dance
and that she was going to bed. At the
door she turned and inquired how l had
found Uncle Robert.
mot very well. He told me to thank
you for your message"
$50 you gave it to him-good-nlght."
1t could not, be that Natalie was serious
iy attracted to Ned Church. married man
whose wife her friend. He, I knew.
was unstable creature, disposed to pred
atory diyagations. But no one of these had
ever been serious-as far as I knew. And
Natalie-so short time married. I had
been indulgent tried in every way to make
her happy. What had she missed in me
that Church supplied? 1 had worn myself
out in her service, her chase for the pot of
pleasure at the end of the rainbow. I had
Ea VIII a a
string. 1t was impossible to believe she had
changed no longer loved me, when my only
object in life had been to make her happy.
Not comfortable thoughts for man to
take to bed with him.
For once she had frankly replied to
question to where she had been. This
in itself either comforting disturb
ing-she had nothing to hide or she had
become reckless, didn't care. Which was
it?
I had been fooishly soft with her-what
man with a beautiful, fascinating wife with
whom he is in love is not? 1t hard to
deny her, so for granted did sh etake my in
diligence, take it her right.
I thought of Uncle Roberts plan for the
summer yet how could l leave him alone in
the hot city? l felt anxious about him. He
was far from well. If he would go with us,
if Natalie would consent to have him, how
happy it would make me.
l rose early despite my sleepless night. Nat
allie, fresh and lovely as ever opposite me,
read her morning mail.
How would you like to take a house in
the country this summer Nataie?" I asked,
laying down my paper
THAT depends" she replied, looking keenly
at me.
"On what?"
where the house is and-other things"
you can choose the locality, only have 1t
near enough so committing won't be too much
will do"
"Tll think it over" she said at last. Its
only May"
eve would have to get a place soon or
everything desirable will be gone
iii decide soon enough-by the way here's
an invitation for the week end from New and
Jessie. sort of housewarming, she says 70
open the season. She wants us to come down.
as early Saturday as we can and stay until
Monday morning"
'All right, | don't see anything to prevent
unless Uncle Robert is not as we'll I feel
anxious about him, Natalie He's aged dread
fully in the last few months"
I'll write Jessie we will come" she said rs
rose from the table, making no reply to
what had said about Uncle Robert. AS I
had so often before, | wondered at her call
lousness where he concerned.
i had made no objections to the weekend
but in my heart I was ashamed of myself for
want to observe Ned and Natalie, their atti-
tude toward each other and there would be
certain freedom that would put them off
their guard.
Saturday perfect day, warm for May
the air fragrant. Natalie declared we wree
sure to have a good time and wondered who
besides ourselves would be there. had hired
a smart car determined to give Natalie no
cause for complaint. Uncle was feeling better
and | gave myself up to the enjoyment Of the
ride. We. had started early, SO could spin
along at speed so long as as we kept
within the rate prescribed by law.
AS went up the long drive to the house
gay voices reached us. We were not the first
to arrive. Hearing the honk-honk of our horn
Natalie almost deafened me by her insistent
blowing Of it-Ned and Jessie appeared. Fol-
lowing them came a slender figure, dimpled
face, rougish eyes. The girl who had sat be-
side me at Herndon BlackwelPs supper party.
After greeting us effusiveIy, Ned turned and
drawing the girl forward said:
Il believe you never have met Miss Lowell
make your best bow Diana-Mr. and Mrs.
Henderson," fs
Continued Tuesday. Renew your subscrp-
ton now to avoid missing a chapter of this
storf
Members Of congress, named George are
said to have formed "Society for the Pre-
yention of Calling Pullman Porters George"