Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-07-26
CHAPTER XIV
Surrender

~ LORlA walked up the steps of Rolf
Templeton's white stucco palace with
~ her head held high. A smiling Japa-
nese held the large front door wide, showing
all his teeth in discreet grin as they en-
tered And then once more she felt the
heavy oppression of the rooms, their vast
ness, the OyeruXuriOusness of the furnish
ings. She had almost forgotten how she
hated it all, and how difficult it was going
to be to live here.
In the huge living room, 50 different from
her coy room in the bungalow, the
silent-footed Japanese brought caviar sand
witches and placed a small tabouret with va
rious bottles, bowl of cracked ice and
glasses al Glorias side.
The girl very silent. In her small
face her eyes were very wide and dark, with
faint purple shadows beneath them She
suddenly very tired, but she was too
proud to show it. Fear too, was gripping
her heart; fear that Templeton would begin
to force his attentions on her. She felt that
she would scream aloud if he came near her.
She stole a glance in his direction, and as
she did he turned and came toward her. At
the small table he paused, poured a small
amount of liquor in two glasses added
cracked ice and settler, and proffered her a
glass She shook her head in refusal and he
smiled down at her mockingly.
mot even to drink a toast to our happi-
ness?" he said lightly.
She continued to sit there in silence, and
Win d llCII0 SnruS OF MS SnOuluefS ne Drain
ed his glass and set it down the table.
She watched him as he lighted a cigarette
and drew Quivering breath of relief as he
sat down opposite her. But with sudden
movement he flung the cigarette into the
fireplace and came toward her.
Her slender hands gripped the arms of
her chair as though to hold to them for pro-
lection, and her eyes sought his face she
dimly realized that his expression was
strange. His face white, it looked
somehow older. With the blood suddenly
singing in her ears Gloria turned away.
Then he was STOPPING to her, drawing her
up to him. Her first instinct was to strug-
gle, but pride conquered the impulse and she
lay limp against his breast. His lips hard
on hers left her rigid but still passive, al
though he held her closely as he kissed her.
He did not speak a single word
Finally he released her, so abruptly that
she staggered. He put out his arm to steady
her, but she drew back from him proudly,
and her voice was icy with scorn when she
spoke.
81 might have expected something like
that"
under the circumstances, I should call it
the natural procedure he returned, his
voice not quite steady. GAS I said once be-
fore this afternoon, you are my wife | mar
ried you because I wanted YOU You knew
that; it was in the bargain"
II suppose it never occurred to you that
you might be consderate," she famed ooh,
I hate you. I despise you! I never dreamed
any man could be so contemplate"
But you've forgotten that you're to have
career in the MOVIES he said lightly.
THAT ought to compensate somewhat for my
attentions to you"
I. He pouring himself another drink.
Gloria could hear the clink of ice in the
glass and the swish of the settler. She had
a sudden mad desire to leave the room, to
be alone, and without vouchsafing him a
look she began to walk toward the door.
Her feet dragged, she had a feeling that
he might try to stop her, but somehow she
could not hurry. And then she was in the
hall for the time being she had escaped
from him, she was alone!