Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-05
MY WIFE AND |
BY CAROLYN BEECHER
CHAPTER XXI

CHAPTER AAu
TN HE dinner passed off without further
disparaging remarks and / took heart
again. Soon after we had gone to the
living room I said [ must be excused for a
while to call upon Uncle Robert. He had not
been at the office all day
"Your uncle is very wealthy. isn't hep,
Mrs. Brooks asked.
"He Is considered fairly well to do"
replied.
81 should think he would want you and
Natalie to live with him. He must be
very selfish old man to keep that big house
all to himself"
''Uncle Robert is very kind, very gener-
ous," l said, checking an Impulse to speak
straight to the point. 81 have no wish to
live with him. We are young, enjoy COM
pany. He loves quiet Everything is Am
ranged very satisfactorily SO far as I am
concerned. And l am quite sure Natalie Is
satisfied with he ~-.4t rome"
L distinctly heard another sniff as I left
the room.
Now was sure Natalie had written about
her fancied wrongs. In no Other way could
she have known about Uncle's house and af-
fairs. But [ soon dismissed my momentary
uneasiness from my thoughts. Far more
disturbing was Uncle Roberts indispostion.
I spent long quiet evening with him, dis
cussing business and other things. / told
him of Mrs. Brooks arrival and he expressed
his disappointment because he could not pay
his respects at once.
Just as soon as I feel a little better
will have a dinner for her." he told me as
bade him good night.
AS / entered our apartment heard Nata-
lie and her mother talking earnestly. They
were unpacking Mrs. Brooks trunk. I gave
them Uncles message, then fingered, amused
at Natalie's remarks as she inspected her
mothers wardrobe.
Il shall take you shopping the first thing
in the morning. These dresses may be all
right out home, but here
Il m sorry you don't like them" her moth
answered with what in a younger woman
would have been pout, but grimace.
"We'lI soon remedy that" Natalie return
ed, finging one Of the obnoxious dresses
aside.
Nothing more was said and we soon re-
tired, Natalie grumbling that she had been
obliged to refuse invitation from the Nor
tons to dance
eff you had been here to stay with moth
er l might have gone, but I couldn't leave
her alone the first night"
'She wouldn't have felt 1attered had you .
left her with me. We scarcely know each
other and you must have had plenty to talk
about
Natalie made no reply unless a prodigious
yawn were one, and was soon asleep.
In the morning both she and her mother
appeared at breakfast dressed for the street.
please order me a car" Natalie said.
1--WE shall need it all the morning"
did as she asked and as it came before
left l had them drop me at the subway
Show your mother the sights" I said az
babe them good-by and entered the cavern
Of business men,
''Ony the shops today" she answered
I smiled 1 thought of Natales love OF
shopping. She would lead her mother
merry chase. But it was no concern of mine
for once the bills wouldn't come to me.
Uncle Robert was not at the office. I was
worried and telephoned his physician. He
treasured me, saying he thought nothing
really serious the matter. But knew Uncle
was very weak, that he was desperately
tired, that his dear old heart had come as
near to being broken as human hearts ever
come because of his grief over his wife, and
that now he was lonely, that he missed me,
the long intimate talks that had taken his
mind from her. For moment I wished he
had accepted Natalie's offer to be mistress Of
his home. Then l was glad he had not
listened. He was happier with his memories
than he would have been with her uncon-
sdered gaiety
l attended to my duties with heavy
heart.
"a lady to see you sir" the office boy an
nounced
did she give her name?"
mo, sir But she's"
"She's what?"
"A regular pippin, sir'
I laughed heartily. Our office boy was a :
continual JOY to me. In spite of his levity
he was almost uncanny in his judgment of
people.
you think I should see her, Tom?" I
asked.
II do, SIR"
Every we'll, show her in"
Il told you the first time I met you that
you would have to get me out Of trouble"
Diana Lovell's gay voice declared.
DO come in" 1 drew a chair for her.
"The trouble isn't serious if one is to judge I
from your voice." n
mot very, a little legacy, and T donsE
know how to go about claiming it. Are yoi
too busy to attend to it for me?"
mo, indeed" For half an hour we dis
cussed the affair, then it was luncheon
time | asked her to lunch with me. II
Are you sure it won't ruin your reputa-
tfon?" she asked as we left the office.
Continued Saturday. Renew yo,.r subscrip-
ton now to avoid missing chapter.
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