Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-10-23
CHAPTER XNIV
Stunned Realization

Y F THAT moment of realization had made
1 any impression on Matthew it was a sub
conscious one, for naturally enough he
ana not believe that Julie had it in her to
change. In a sense he had lost interest in
her and was making the best Of a bad bar
sam, but before long Claudia began to notice
"a definite change in her stepmother, change
that she did not welcome
For one thing, she was not so meek as she
had been. Claudia found that she could not
fix Julie with a glance and make her drop
her eyes For another, Julie began to take
upon herself the managing of the house She
did not do this all at once but the discharge
|of Josephine opened Claudia's eyes and made
her realize that things were not going as
we'll as she had planned.
JoSephlnes impertinences had become fla
grant, and one morning just after Matthew
mad left for the office the girl took it upon
herself to ignore something Julie had said.
Julie was seldom angry, but when she was
her tlmidfty left her, and this time she drew
herself to her full height and spoke almost
haughtily
Josephine. you may leave your work and
go upstairs and pack your things. Come to
my room and III pay you what is due you"
Josephine opened her mouth to speak.
thought better of it, and turned away. When
she did not appear at lunch and one of the
other servants served the meal, Claudia asked
the reason Why and was told.
You discharged Josephine?" Claudia
asked increduIously.
"Yes"
But why? I liked Josephine She was
efficient, and a great help to me-"
quietly.
'Impertnent to you?" Claudia smiled ag
grayatingly. That's strange, she was never
impertinent to dad or me-
Julie faced her tormentor with eyes in
which little sparks suddenly danced
NO. she probably reserved her impert-
nenceS for me, knowing that I was unused to
giving ORDERS" she returned evenly.
For moment sheer surprise kent Claudia
silent a surprise that amounted almost to
dlsmay. Where had Julie acquired this att-
tude? What had changed her, for there was
no doubt of the fact that she was different
S9 resolved to keep her eyes open, to watch
her more closely, and that afternoon, coming
INTO the house shortly after 5so'cIock. she
heard voices in the library and went softly
over to the door.
Julie and Bradford Pierce were having tea
together. There was in their attitude toward
each other friendliness that was unmistak-
able. Listening, Claudia could hear her stem
mother laugh lightly, and her manner toward
Plerce was natural and entirely without re-
straint.
Claudia found herself suddenly amazed.
mere mad Julie acquired this sudden nolish
this social ease that had always been lacking
IN her? or course several weeks had passed
since the reception, but as Claudia stood there
peering in at her steDmother, Julie seemed
Ike different woman She even Iookd diff
Ierent. And then quite suddenly Claudia no
tced several Illuminating things. Julie wore
new dress, a lovely wine red dress that was
undeniably smart. She wore her hair fixed
altierently TOO, and she was talking to Pierce
about the latest opera
A sharp little feeling Of jealousy awoke in
Claudias heart. She herself hadn't a dress
as smart as the one Julie wore and she her
self couldn't have entertained a man with
more charm than this woman whom she had
always looked down upon and despised.
Saturday: "Claudia's Plan" and The
Country Club Dance"