Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-05-06
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER \
~HAT'S fine!" Natalie said whenI told
- her N"Nnw We can have car

CHAPTER X
<<~HAT'S fne!" Natalie said whenI told
her ''Now we can have a car
''You say nothing, dear, of the
honor it is for me, so young man, to be
member of the firm. OF course, my re-
sponsibilties will be greater
That's fine, too, if it means anything
more money as we'll as more work.
I felt someway, terribly disappointed.
had rather expected'her to show enthusiasm,
a little at least.
81 don't know that it will mean much
more money, not right away. And Natalie,
we can't afford car. The bills this month
are huge. We shall have to trim sail some
where. I hate to keep drawing my saw
ings and really we should live on my SAL
ary.'
"IsA that your uncle's suggestion? !
though So" as she saw me flush. "Of
course he doesn't care if look like a tramp
or how we live My happiness means moth
ing to him" She spoke with unusual Bit
terness Then eff you won't buy
I'll have to go on being dependent on my
friends
The thought of Ned Church and his IL
mousine rushed over me. He had been at
the dancing place and had offered to bring
her home. If she had had her own car he
would have had no excuse to offer his
services.
Natalie said no more about a car but the
look on her face made almost sure Of
Ned's acting escort was the right one and
that she resented the necessity of accepting
his offer. OF course she might have taken
a taxi or the Mortons might have dropped
her off-but--if | could manage car she
would be Independent of them all. | prob
ably would be away often l could not
expect her to remain at home alone.
Yet after L had paid her monthly bills,
including the one for the gown she had
worn the night Of my return from Boston,
| decided it was impossible. How could she
spend so much? I gave her an allowance
for the house but she had refused one for
her personal expenses, saying she'd rather
have charge accounts and let me pay the
bills monthly.
I tried to check up the articles she had
purchased. Lingerie, hats shoes and stock
ngs, dresses, ETC., but l soon give it up. 1t
was absolutely bewidering. How could one
small woman wear so much? And it was but
a repetition of the previous months.
More heavily than ever before did have
to draw upon my sayings, the foundation for
a sure competency later on in life. | would
have a plain talk with Natalie, make her
understand she must be less extravasant,
1--WE must give dinner party" Natalie
declared. I'VE are terribly in debt to peo-
pie"
"All right, go ahead" told her knew
she was right, that had not nearly repaid
all the courtesies given us. We had been
married year and had entertained formally
scarcely at all.
"Whom hav5 you invted?" | asked later.
She passed me her list. The invitations had
already gone out.
Ned and Jessie Church topped the list,
then followed Garth, several married people
including the Mortons, and a Miss Tyford,
whom Natalie said she had invited so Garth
wouldn't feel lonely.
"I wish you hadn't asked the Mortons,"
said.
"Why? They're loads of fun and have
been awfully nice to me. Nell Morton has
been life-saver for me, taking me shopping
in her lovely car I'd rather have her than
all the others put together. 1T it hadn't
been for her I'd have been going on foot
ever since we've been married"
"Ib Jessie we'll enough to conner" I asked.
Yes, l must manage to give Natalie car.
She mustn't be under obligations OF the
Mortons.
ooh, yes. I called her up and asked" Y
"Anythng 1 can do to help you?"N
Smokes for the men, cigarettes for the
women, that's all"
every well, I'll attend to that" AS l
made a note of the smokes my thoughts
were engaged upon the real necessity of
getting Natalie a car. My wife could not
be dependent upon the charity of her
friends. We hired a car occasionally. always
when we went any considerable distance,
but to hire one day after day for shopping
wasn't to be thought Of and Natalie hated
taxis, declared they were dirty, soiled her
clothes
Mentally I did some figuring. But the
staggered me. If Natalie would be content
with a small car at a reasonable price, would
drive herself, I might manage it. But |
knew she would not be content with a cheap
car, that she would not drive herself
A chauffeur at $40 week. 1t was un-
thnkable She would have to wait until
our finances warranted such extravagances.
Natalie, until we can afford a car of our
own, l wish you would use a taxi instead Of
depending upon your friends to tote you
40 ut"
"Ride in a dirty taxi when I can ride in
Nell Morton's lovely limousine? Not me-"
Have a little pride, Natalie Use the
taxis until | can afford a car"
Indeed I'll do no such thing. Nell or the
others are glad to take me-eVen if my hus-
band denies me something he can well give
me-if he would Use the money you have
saved, you will have all your uncle's fortune
for your old age, or stop finding fault when
others take pity on me-.
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