Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-12
MY WIFE AND |
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
(fKx "A IBu,ER WV

CHAPTER XIV Ss
A S [ hung strap in the crowded
~ subway, swaying unstead1ly on my
n feet, L thought of my conversation
with Uncle Robert. He was right 1t wasn't
fair to feel disgruntled unless l made Nata-
lie understand plainly that | could not az
ford her extravagances. In the small town
where she had lived my income would have
been princely. But in New York, with soar
ing rents, the increased expense of keeping
servants, the advanced price of food clothes
and other essentials, to say nothing OF
pleasures-it was barely sufficient.
had often said couldn't afford this
or that, had told Natlie in half-hearted
way she must retrench or we would go to
the poorhouse, but except for that one
night when I had talked mostly of the
made any determined attempt to change
things. [ smiled grimly as / thought of
my failure on that one occasion-When I
delivered my lecture" as she had dubbed
! my talk. 1t would be disagreeable, SUBJ
consciously L knew she would resent any
thing I might say, but it had to come (
had forgotten the bills in my pocket marked
Mrs. Brooks" but thinking of Natalie's
extravaganza brought them to my mind T
would give them to her and at the same
time talk seriously with her.
For the first time it to me that a
love that could be held only by indulgence
wasn't love at all. 1t would be sort of
test. Without saying anything to her had
|
an effort to get ahead but it had been Of
no avail. The less 1 spent the more sha
old-or so it seemed. First nights at tha
latest plays, constant attendance at high.
OF everything ~
Hurry and get dressed, Bruce" she
greeted me. Med and Jessie are giving q
! party tonight"
"Where?" / asked noting that both she
and her mother were in full regalia
| ia nh no+oJ
ing: Don't stop to talk, you've scarcely
late?" ~
| Work" was my laconc answer, as I dis.
appeared into the bathroom.
Again my talk would have to wait With
an explosive "damn!" I hurried to Dress Il
was either go Or give Ned a chance to mo-
nopoze Natalie. I knew that neither her
mother nor Jessie would be any hndrance
to him. Or to her.
Would she never tire of the shallow life
! We led, wondered as l dressed. She was
as avid for pleasure now as she had been
at f1rst. | cursed my helplessness, one mo-
ment deciding to tell her [ would not go
| with her, the next fastening my toilet for
lear she would be upset if we were late. r
iald the envelope with my mother-in-law's
Dliis on my chiffonier. I would give 1t to
her when We returned.
Aren't you proud to have two such stun
ming looking women with your" Natalie
asked as We left the house.
You both look exceptionally WE'LL" re-
pfid coldly, thinking of the bills on the
chlffonier, the checks I had drawn that
morning. "You would look well for tha
money you spend"
Natalie shrugged her disapproval and
heard that sniff that registered her Mothers
instead OF annoying me it made me feel bet-
ter. l had spoken my mind, had refrainad
from compliments.
Garth Holden met us in the lobby.
farty's called off. Jessie was taken Ill
just as they were about to start and guess
the doctor they called saw to it that Ned
remained with her. Be my guests for DIM
ner then Well decide what we want to do
afterward."
AS the women were checking their wraps,
he added:
Between you and me, old man, don't
think Jessie knew anything about the bloom
ing party, anyway not until tonight. Ned's
sprung several things on her to my certain
knowledge I more than half imagine her
| illness is faxed"
"But you said the doctor"
Il know, but Jessie's clever, even IL sha
does seem rather meek. | wouldn't be sur
prised if the doctor understood something
of how matters stand and helped her out.
Shes in love with Ned, even after all he has
done, and is going to keep him if she can"
And you think she's afraid of losing
him?" finished. I couldn't bring myself to
speak my wifes name
Yes, Bruce, I do. Here come the ladies.
Natalie as usual a vision of loneliness"
Natalie's face which had been clouded,
cleared at the compliment.
What fatterer you are Garth. If only
| could think you really mean what you say
she said, linking her arm in his and leaving
me to follow with her mother.
Don't propose anything after dinner,
Bruce" | said under cover Of the music
"Right-o." he returned quietly.
I saw Natalie disappointed when he
| did not, and she asked b1unty If + did
! not intend to take them somewhere to dance.
mo- l want to get home. I have some
matters to attend to- told her. When
arrived | went Immediately to my ROOM got
| the envelope I had left on my chifoner and
! laying 1t in her lap said:
What's the meaning of this?"
Continued Saturday. Renew your subscrip-
ton to avoid missing a chapter.