Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-10-07
CHAPTER NH

or her lips, and her eyes, Velled and discreet,
seemed shadowy in her white face.
Matthew wore the conventional dinner
coat, but Julie had not dressed. 1t had been
at Matthews suggestion that she had worn
the gray travelling dress without the coat that
matched it. She looked better in that than
anything he had seen her wear, and as he
looked at her now the soft candlelight fall
ing across her face, it seemed to Matthew
that she had suddenly taken on dignity. This
fact encouraged him, luled his fears to rest.
Everything would come out all right. Claudia
had evidently made up her mind to accept
things, and with jules position once more
thoroughly established, there would be moth
ing more to worry him.
His good humor returning by leaps and
bounds, Matthew kept the conversation going.
Julie responded in monosyllables, but Clau-
ola, after a little time, began to talk to her
father. She could be fascinating when she
liked and Julie listened in amazement to the
girls light raillery. How wonderful that
girl so young should be invested with SO
much poise. Julie enyied her and could not
help wondering if the time would ever come
when she would be able to talk with Matthew
like that.
Dinner over, Matthew asked Julie to ex-
cuse him for few moments, TN join you
up in our sitting room in about half hour"
Julie nodded and smiled AS she went
slowly upstairs Shefhoped that Matthew would
rot be too severe with the girl It would
q.
Julie did not know Claudia. She ha7 no way
of Judging the cleverness of that young per-
son, and the interview that took place in the
library very different from anything she
might have imagined
At first Claudia was silent, and this sur
prlsed Matthew who had expected to be over
whelmed with reproaches. 1t made him sud-
denly eager to propitiate his daughter, and
1t was there that he made his first mistake.
Claudia, l suppose this isn't an easy stu
alton for you to face" he began, clearing his
throat, and feeling, in spite of himself, some
what uneasy before this calm, self-composed
young creature who was his daughter.
Claudia rose to the occasion.
Il must admit I was surprised, dad Some
now, | had always inn gined some one differ
ent as your wife. Of course, [ knew you
would marry again-some time. You re
young and frlghtfuily attractive to women
but She hesitated, pretending to be at
loss for words.
You mean the question Of taste In
clothes?' Matthew was suddenly flushed and
uneasy.
well, yes, that of course Who is she,
dad; where did you meet herr"
rms put Matthew at distinct disadvan-
tage, but he plunged boldly ahead. "She was
my stenographer." Even as he spoke the
words they struck him as somehow ridiculous
and here Claudia might have made mistake
by merely echoing the words, Your stenog-
| T..
| "Of course, want to do what can. dad -
she said quickly. Il hardly think can call
| her Mother, though. 1t would be rather
foolish under the circumstances and I am
sure you'll agree with me-"
Matthew nodded. Eyes, I think you're
Irlght But want you to cooperate with her
and to talk your plans over with her She's
young, but she has a good mind and is SEN
| SlDIe [ shall expect Difference and courtesy
from you Claudia. We must make her hap
| Ply, you know"
That eve" brought a smile to CIaudia,s
| ups 1t was as though a secret bond had
been established between the two of them
excluding Julie entirely. The interview had
turned out even better than she had hoped
CHAPTER NV
Shopping
r n the days that followed it was Claudia
VINO took things in hand, although
Matthew was not aware of it, and Julie
was merely grateful. Perhaps if Julie had
! been more aggressive, more sure of herself
such method of procedure would not have
! oeen possible. AS it was, however, Matthew
was not present to keep an eve on things
ana june, although she dimly aware of
the fact that Claudia did not really like
her, was only too ready to accept what
friendship the girl had to Offer
1t was Claudia who suggested that she
take Julie shopping, and although her man
ner before her father was quite perfect
|
she were alone,
Perhaps Matthew would not have accepted
CIaudias offer if he had known where else
to turn for help. Vaguely he realized that
the situation was not quite what it should
be, but he knew only too well that Julie
needed clothes, and he felt Claudia could
be entrusted with what was suitable to buv
in spite of the fact that she was so absurdIv
young
Perhaps I might look over what you
have" Claudia said to Julie the day before
they were to go into the city to shop. Then
we can have a better idea of what YOU
need"
Julie shrank. She dreaded having
Claudia see the clothes she had purchased on
Sixth avenue, and Claudia knew it, Never
theless she had her way, and she subjected
her step-mother to kind of refined cruelty
against which Julie helpless
But you don't really mean you went
there to shop? Claudia knew very we'll
why, but the sensation of power she had
over her step-mother was delicious. And
when Julie fatered out, II didn't know
where to CO. Claudia was inwardIy trium-
plant and had to turn away to hide a smile.
In the shops, Claudia was arrogant, al
most insolent. She rarely asked jules ad-
vice about anything in fact did not even
consult her preferences. 1t was as If she
took for granted the fact that Julie had
no idea of what she needed, and she man
aged to convey this idea to the saIeswomen
as well, for they consulted her and paid no
attention at all to Julie.
In the matter of selecting an evening
dress, Julie demurred at one that Claudia
pronounced perfect 1t was shade of rose
particularly abhorrent TO Julie. and although
1t was in good taste, it not becoming 2,
Julie knew this and so did Claudia, but
81 hon uh n1 ro1oo