Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-10-30
The Second Mrs. Strong
BY HAZEL DEYD BACHELOR
CHAPTER NXIX
After the Dance

" OR the first time in her life Claudia
II ceased thinking about herself long
enough to give her thoughts over to
another person Never before had any one
Harris Fisk0 had. Never before had any one
dared to snatch at her that way and kiss her
against her will.
But had it been against her will? Hadn't
she unconsciously yielded to the clasp of his
arms, the fiercenCss of his kisses? Her
cheeks burned at the recollection of them,
and she wanted to be alone to live over
those brief moments
Seated in Eddie Montgomery's car, she was
very silent Eddie seemed so young, so
like cub, compared with Harris Fiske, She
wondered why she had played about with
him for so long, and she dimly con-
fscious of the fact that he was, perhaps
thinking that she cared for him more than
she did.
''What's the matter, CLAUDE" he shouted
above the roar of the engine. 'You're worse
than the proverbial clam tonight"
She shrugged her shoulders jrritably and
did not answer! and few moments 1aJer
when they stood in the shadowy dusk of the
wide veranda, she pulled back when he
would have taken her in his arms.
"Well, of course, if you don't want to kiss
me goodnight, you needn't" he said sulkily
Il never forced my attentions on any girl.
Claudia was suddenly reused. She mustn't
antagOnize Eddie. He was the most eligible
of any of the boys in the crowd and he had
the best looking car
I'm tired, Eddie" she said, forcing a note
Of contrition into her voice. I've had a
nasty headache all evening"
Instantly he was responsive.
I'm sorry, Claud. Well, a good nights
rest will fix you up all right. See you to-
morrow" And with light caress on her
arm, he springng down the steps and
out to his waiting car.
Claudia wanted to go directly to her
room; but she realized that she had made
up her mind to speak to her father about
Julie She wanted tC mention the fact that
Julie was seeing a great deal of Bradford
Pierce, and the fact that Pierce had not been
at the country club that evening was point
in her favor.
YEARLY she dragged her steps to the IL
brary, and when, about fifteen minutes later
her father came in, she knew, with her
usual shrewd intuition, that he had been
seeing Margaret Davenport home.
He came in briskly, went to the table and
took a cigar from the humidor, and a mo-
ment later was stretching himself out in his
favorite easy chair.
Claudia regarded him for few moments
without speaking. He was wrapped in his
own thoughts and seemed hardly aware Of
her presence.
Dad she said, after moment.
He started and turned toward her 'What
are you doing here Claudia? Don't Won
young people ever sleep? Better run up to
bed now or you'll be tired in the morning"
II wanted to speak to you"
well, what is it,"
why didn't you take Julie to the club
tonight?"
dull flush spread over Matthew's face.
Your mother doesn't care for such things.
Dad, you may not like my saying this,
but have you thought that Julie may be see
ing too much of Bradford Pierce? You
know it isn't as if she were one of our own
crowd, and she's apt to take a great deal
Tor granted because of the attention he's
paying her Of course. I know he means
only to be kind, but Julie may misunder.
stand"