Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-05-13
CHAPTER XIII

CHAPTER XIII
TWAS relieved when l saw Garth Holden
was the early arrival. Natalie greeted
- him with great sprightliness, then SAID:
CHOW run along, you two and make those
cocktails. You've come just in time to help
Bruce, GARTH
I whats up, old MANI" Garth asked.
Something gone wrong on your trip"
"Quite the contrary. am put out, though.
Morton had the nerve to send all this stuff
to Natalie.'
81 wondered where you got the makings,
knowing you had cut out booze"
"I don't like it, I got home only an hour
ago and if it had not been for hurting Matt
allie, spelling her party, I should have sent
the stuff back. I can furnish all we need forS
her parties
"Calm down, old man. AS you say it would
spoil her evening if you made fuss, and
Morton don't know any better, hasnt>an idea
he's offended. you"
We had barely finished making the cock
tails when the other guests arrived. Ned and {
Jessie Church came last. Jessie her usual
dainty, lovely self, Ned a bit more swagget-
ing than ever. Natalie had seated hilf'at
her right. I thought it in bad taste, asSthere
other men more prominent an1 whom
she did not know so we'll But JJcoud do
nothing. 1 had not been consulted as to the
seating.
"yyhat delicious cocktaisY' one Of the
mon said as Natalie's health was drunk.
"Aren't they?" she returned, smiling. l
have to thank Mr. Morton for them could
nave shaken her, so angry and emoarrdsseu
was T. "Mr. Henderson won't buy any more
Inuors. He saws the prohibition brands are
poisonous"
"I'll take a chance on this" Ned Church
broke in. 1--WE all owe you vote OF tnanks'
Norton"
TO nv relief, Garth changed the subject
and tha dinner passed off gaily. Natalie had
we delicious,
able appointments and flowers in excellent
taste the, service erfect. Two walters from
the club had been negaged for the affair.
7 had tried to join in the merriment but
with Indifferent success.
"Buck up old man." Garth said as we lett
the table, "the worst is yet to come"
Natalie had arranged to play bridge. Our
apartment was not large enough for so many
to dance fact she had deplored. Never mad
she looked more lovely been more vlyacous,
vet there was something about her that
baffled me.
was playing opposite Jessie, she was
dummy. when I caught her looking at Nat
allie who happened to be at the same table
with Ned, with a peculiar look, sad, dis
tressed, in her eyes. We had been plvotlng
and I had paid little attention to Natalie, as
| had had difficulty keeping my thoughts on
nv game. When [ looked up again Jessie
was smiling, replying to facetous remark
Garth had made.
I shook myself together as miserable
suspicion crossed my mind. I was, becoming
morbid. Ned saw nothing Of aNtalie, Jessies
glance had meant nothing
At II o'clock intercepted look between
Ned and Natalie. =,
"When this rubber is finished" she said,
"Mr. and, Mrs Church have invited us all 10
90 somewhere to dance" Unconsclously my
eye flew to Jessie. The quick 1lush, the ~,
dignant look that vanished as 1 noted 1t, told
me as plainly as if she had spoken that Nat
allies informatin was news to her
A delightful stir followed Natalle's an
nouncement, while Garth winked at me, theh
said: -;
"What did tell you Bruce?" warning
glance followed. Jessie was staring at me.
Garth knew me so well, knew all my little
idosvncracies He knew that had Natal1e
wanted our guests to have further entertain
ment I would have preferred to be the most
rather than delegate that office to one OF my
guests I couldn't we'll blame Natalie ex-
cept that thought her own good sense, her
pride. might have informed her of what was
al fait We never had discussed the suR-
iect: there had been no necessity Most or ON
dancing parties had been impronptu affairs,
each one being host as it happened,
I opeied my mouth to object, to say we
would go, but that they were to consider
themselves my guests, not Ncd's,t when Jessie
spoke:
"You'u let us have the pleasure, Bruce?
for one shall be disappointed If you do NOT
I looked at her in admiration. what
thorough little sport she was.
"You shan't be disappoited Jessie, and
claim the first dance with our charming
hostess" While she seconded his invitation
kept my eyes on Ned and his look Of sur
prise, his unconscious start, told me I was
right in my surmise. She had known moth
ing Of his plans.
"What brick Jessie is" Garth said as we
left the table together. "She's too good for
Ned Then: GLOW lovely Natalie is. I
never saw her look better"
I Glanced at my wife. She was lovely, ex-
quisite Her eyes sparkled her cheeks
flushed with excitement and anticipation.
For the first time I noticed she had on a
gown I had never seen before, in color like
the heart Of delicate pink rose. My warm
ing as to her extravaganza had been in vain.
Some way that dress added to my resentments
From my viewpoint the entire affair was
sort of horror. Once more I pulled myself
together to sile at Miss Tyford and murmur
pole reply to her remark that she had won
a prize, that the party had been a great
success.
Continued Thursday
win, German made form Of glider. He
proved that even as early as that a lot was