Athalie

He wrote to her now and then. Always she answered his letter the

following day.

About the end of April he wrote: "DEAR ATHALIE, "About everything seems to conspire to keep me from seeing

you; business--in a measure,--social duties; and, to tell the

truth, a mistaken but strenuous opposition on my mother's

part.

"She doesn't know you, and refuses to. But she knows me,

and ought to infer everything delightful in the girl who has

become my friend. Because she knows that I don't, and never

did affect the other sort.

[Illustration: "He rather liked being with his own sort again."] "Every day, recently, she has asked me whether I have seen

you. To avoid unpleasant discussions I haven't gone to see

you. But I am going to as soon as this unreasonable alarm

concerning us blows over.

"It seems very deplorable to me that two young people cannot

enjoy an absolutely honest friendship unsuspected and

undisturbed.

"I miss you a lot. Is the apartment comfortable? Does Michael

do everything you wish? Did the cat prove a good one? I sent

for the best Angora to be had from the Silver Cloud Cattery.

"Now tell me, Athalie, what can I do for you? Please! What

is it you need; what is it you would like to have? Are you

saving part of your salary?

"Tell me also what you do with yourself after business hours.

Have you seen any shows? I suppose you go out with your

sisters now and then.

"As for me I go about more or less. For a while I didn't:

business seemed to revive and everybody in real estate became

greatly excited. But it all simmered down again to the usual

routine. So I've been going about to various affairs, dances

and things. And, consequently, there's peace and quiet at

home for me.

"Always yours,

"C BAILEY, JR."

"P.S. As I sit here writing you the desire seizes me to drop

my pen, put on my hat and coat and go to see you. But I

can't. There's a dinner on here, and I've got to stay for it.

Good night, dear Athalie!

"CLIVE."

His answer came by return mail as usual: "DEAR CLIVE, "Your letter has troubled me so much. If your mother feels

that way about me, what are we to do? Is it right for us to

see each other?

"It is true that I am not conscious of any wrong in seeing

you and in being your friend. I know that I never had an

unworthy thought concerning you. And I feel confident that

your thoughts regarding our friendship and me are blameless.

Where lies the wrong?