The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-03-22
CHAPTER xxxy

WE SPENT Christmas Day with
w Uncle Robert. He was ailing
again and said we would make him very
happy if we could come to him. His
gift to me was a check SO large / ex-
postulated with him, telling him he
was too generous. He gave Natalie
a string Of perfectly matched pearls.
Some day, my dear, you will have
all my wife's jewelry, but while she
lives it is hers" i knew she had not
worn anything of the sort for years,
that it was in the safety vaults.
/ had given Natalie another bracelet
and she had remembered both uncle and
me. We passed quiet day. l feeling
we had made uncle happy, although
was terribly depressed. Before the
week ended I would know whether
Natalie desired her freedom.
In the late afternoon we motored
down to see Ned and Jessie. They We're
to celebrate Christmas in the old
fashioned way with tree and "all the
trimmings" as Jessie expressed it.
Wen play we are children. since
neither of us have any," she said gaily,
wistful look in her eyes. Her baby
had come to her only to pass on.
That wistful look caught at my heart
strings and / determined not to allow
my depression to spoil her attempt to
spread the Yuletide% gaiety. She had
gifts for all, quaint or ridiculous things,
carefully wrapped, that brought bursts
of merriment when opened and dis
played. A delicious supper followed
and Just before we left the choral sing
ers came and sang beneath the window
Peace on earth, good will to men. /
We drove home almost in silence.
The night was beautifully clear, not
too cold, and the music fingered with
me, the words ringing. in. my heart:
Peace on earth"
l left Natalie at home and took the
car TO the garage. When l returned
went in so quietly she did not hear
ne. She had not discarded her wraps.
She sat before the crate fire, hec head
in her hand, look of utter WEAKNESS
on her face.
Something in her attitude gripped
me, made. me forget myself, think only
of her-that she was unhappy.
Natalie, dear, what is it?"
asked bending to her.
Startled, she looked up, little cry
on her lips. / leaned over and lifted
her from the chair into my arms.
Don't look like that, Natalie! Tell
me dear-what can l do to make you
happy?' / drew out the hatpin and
taking off her hat, smoothed her hair,
holding her close. I'D give my life
dear to see you happy" l whispered.
~ love you so, my beautiful wife. Why
can't you love me little? have so
wanted to tell you how loved YOU
but
why haven't ,you-before? The
words were scarcely more than breath.
II didn't dare. / was afraid Id
offend you-lose you. You have been
so cold, so Indifferent. Tell me. Nata-
lie, have | been mistsken-do you care
for me a littleY' But she made no at
tempt to leave my arms and an awak-
ened hope was almost unmanning me.
"No-not little, Bruce-a-great
deal. But l thought you didn't love
me-" she said. after gave her chance
to speak. You, too, were cold, in
different-so different from what
thought you would be-
II was afraid to force my love, my
self, upon you, Natalie" l replied, be-
wildered. why dear, l have been
making up my mind to give. you your
freedom--if you. wanted it--even if it
broke my heart"
II won't take it. so. don't make the
offer" she smiled. quiveringly.
For hours we talked, talked until ev-
erything that had troubled me was
cleared away. Her mad chase for pleas
ure had been an effort to hide from
me and the world her unhappiness. Her
extravaganza had been b.. the outcome
of decision, bolstered bL y letter from
her mother, that so long As / did not
love her she would get what she could,
all she could, out of her life with me.
81 loved beautiful things, artistic
surroundings, and 1 thought as long
as you had married me and given me
nothing else they were my right. AT
the very beginning, you refused to make
had no part in your life, that l could
not question you. You made an orna-
uent of me and / accepted the role.
But there never has been a time when