Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-08-16
CHAPTER xxx
Rolf Comes Home

~ LORIA had resolved never to see Barry
4 " Carr again, but because she was drift
~ in dangerously these day and it
too much of effort to avoid him, she ac-
cepted his apology and continued to play
about with him. When Rolf returned from
the east he learned Immediately that Barry
and Gloria were seen everywhere together.
1t was because of this that he went to see
her. but he found her appallingy different.
Her complete poise was brilliantly hard.
Even her face was different. When he had
first known her, varied expressions had
drifted across her small face, her eyes had
dilated when emotion had swept over her,
her mouth had been capable of hundred
changes of expression.
Now it seemed to him as If she wore
mask. Her laugh was sweet, but without
warmth, her eyes narrowed and Unsuitable,
her mouth mocking and wreathed perpetual
ly in smile which the rest of her face did
not reflect.
Manning had told him that Gloria
doing poor work, that remonstrance with her
did no good, that the life had "got her"
And Rolf had taken it sngularly to heart
because he felt himself largely to blame for
everything.
If Rolf found Gloria changed, she found
him also amazingly different. His arrogance
of manner remained, but back of it there was
more dignity He seemed much older, and
far more serious. Gloria would have pre-
ferred him as he was when she had first
met him. The change in him was vaguely
disconcerting.
She seemed determined to avoid the seri-
Gus in their conversation. Keeping up run
ming flow of small talk, she managed to
skirt any reference to the personal, until at
last Rolf pinned her down with a straight
forward question
GLORIA, do you still want to be free? The
last time We talked you were to see your
lawyer Immediately"
eft
true, and yet all these weeks she had done
nothing about it, She had drfted, simply
because she had been too lstless to do any,
thing. NoW he was here, and no doubt be-
hind this call from him, there was something
he had not told her. He had probably met
someone else he wanted to be free Oh, it
was intolerable, and her cheeks were sud-
denly hot with shame.
you certainly have changed" she ex-
claimed mockingly. you're actually ready
and willing to brave the scandal-mongers in
order to be free. Who is she, Rolf? Do tell
me about her.
He did not answer her. He was suddenly
raging with a cold fury at her attitude. He
wanted to shake her into submission; he
wanted to reach her at all costs, and yet he
felt helpless. 1t was as if everything warm
and human in her had been killed.
Il suppose you're finding me changed,
too" she went on lightly, when he did not
speak ooh, yes, I'm walking the path Of
least resistance now. I'm having a good
time That's all that matters, ISM it? You
ought to be proud of me for being such an
apt pupil
with Barry Carr" Rolf flung out, and
was sorry the minute the words had passed
his lips for Gloria's eyes suddenly 1ared!
well what of it? Isn't he good as
you? There's no occasion for you to look
down him. You're all the same, you
sham men in the colony, one is as good as
the other However, let's keep to the sub
ject You came to see about your freedom,
didn't you? l won't lose another day. I'll
see my lawyer the first thing in the morn
ing, and you doubtless won't be kept watt
ing too long. l hope not. I'm as eager. to
be free as you are
Tuesday-"The Critics Speak" Renew
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