Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-12-04
The Second Mrs. Strong
BY HAZEL. DEYD BACHELOR
CEAPTER III

Two Men and Woman
r ULIES first impulse when Matthew's
| voice interrupted her scene with Brad,
- to rush up to her husband ana eX-
plain. This impulse was succeeded, how
ever by a cold inertia, feeling of pride.
After all, even though she had done wron=
in encouraging Brad Matthew had no cause
to feel so angry He did not love her. he 1
loved Margaret Davenport. Everyone said
so, and it must be true Therefore why
should he condemn her for anything?
SO she stood quite silent, watching her
husband out of narrowed eyes, wondering
curiously what he intended to do.
Matthew walked up to Bradford Pierce
and for a moment the two men stood facing
each other Then Matthew spoke again. 49,
and you were my friend!" There was
the most intense bitterness in his voice, but
Brad did not finch before him, nor did his
eyes drop.
Julie felt suddenly that she could not
bear to be in on this scene, and yet some
how S. could not leave Brad to face things
alone when she was so much to blame. He
would be sure to take the responsibility for
everything on his own shoulders, and that
wouldn't be fair. No, she must stay and
help him out.
"Just moment Matthew" she inter-
rupted. Before you say anything more
have an explanation to make Bradford 10
your friend You can have no doubt about
! that. Never since | have known him has he
been anything but friend to me as we'll,
but today I led him on, / flirted with him.
Somehow l didn't care. Oh, l know it was
wrong, but | won't have you blaming Brad
for something he did not do. That's all I
have to say, and it's the truth Believe it
or not, just you like"
She turned to Bradford and touched him
lightly on the arm. I'm sorry, Brad l
think you know that she said softly Then,
without look in Matthew's direction, she
turned and left the room. ~.
After she had gone, there was a brief ST.
| lence, broken at last by Bradfords voice.
Il suppose an explanation of sorts is due
| you, Matthew, 'inasmuch Julie is your
! wife Well, here it isl l love Julie I
| have loved her for long time but it is en =
tlrely your fault. Do you suppose I could.
stand it to see her suffer as you have made
| her suffer, to watch her from day to dav and
! see that hurt look growing in her ewes?
| GU have Inundated her. You haven't
thought her good enough for YOU You
| nave paid 50 much attention to Margaret
! davenport that the whole town is talking
about it, and all the while Julie has loved
you, loved you as you don't deserve, and as
| | would do anything in the world to have
her love me- If [ thought I had a chance
with her, I'd fight to take her awav from
YOU but haven't a chance. In spite of the
| way you have treated her. she still cares.
ana yet you would take a love like that and
throw it lightly away"
Again there was silence, and then after a
iohg moment Matthew spoke. The anger
had died out of his voice, and there was a
quallty OF humbleness in it that Bradford
mad never heard before
know deserve everything you saw. I
! know that l. have treated Julie abominablv.
WnlIe you have been true and sincere
lrlend 10 her. If it hadn't been for Won sha
would nave been far more miserable than
she has been, and if there were any choice
between us, Brad, you deserve her because
! you've proved yourself finer man than r
am But here is the point. I love Julie.
Inc thought that she has been in love with
you has been with me day and night for the
past lew weeks. It's nearly driven me mad.
ana To-Day when | came in you, thought,
| [ thought"
Yes | know Brad said quietly "When
you thought some one was taking her away
| from you, you wanted her. It's natural
| Ieeilng, l suppose. But if you had known
June better, you would have realized the
! truth She loves you. You're the only man
IN the world for her. Whether you deserve
IL or not, she belongs to you, but some
tlmes wonder if you will ever realize how
| supremacy fortunate you are."
concluded Saturday,