Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-10-24
INITIALS ONLY By AnnaKa

death. If these brothers were TO meet on
the morrow it must be with the full I'M
derstanding that this especial topic was to
be completely avoided. But in what
words could he urge such request upon
this man? None suggested themselves,
yet he had promised Miss Scott that he
would ensure his silence in this regard,
and it was with this difficulty and no
other he had been struggling when Mr..
Brotherson came upon him in the other
room.
You have stiIl something to say" sug-
gested the latter, as an oppressive silence
swallowed up that icy sentence I have
already recorded
Il have returned Mr. Challoner, re-
gaining his courage under the exigencies
of the moment Miss Scott is very anx-
ious to have yur promise that you will
avoid all disagreeable topics with your
brother till the doctor pronounces him
strong enough TO meet the trouble which
awaits him
You mean"
He is not as unhappy as we He
knows nothing of the affliction which has
befallen him. He was taken ill" The
rest almost inaudible.
But Orlando Brotherson had no diff
| Guilty in understanding him, and for the
second time in this extraordinary inter-
view, he gave evidences OF agitation and
of mind shaken from its equipoise. But
only for an instant. He did not shun
the others gaze or even maintain more
than a momentary silence. Indeed. he
found strength to smile. in a curious,
81 rdonic way, as he said:
DO you think | should be apt to
breach this subject with any one, let
with hi -
l shall need days to realize? I'm not so
given 10 gossip. Besides, he and l have
| other topics of interest. I have no in
vention ready with which 1 propose to
experiment in place he has already pre-
pared for me. We can talk about that"
The irony. the hardy self possession with
which this was said struck Mr.. Challoner
to the heart. Without a word he wheeled
about towards the door. Without a word.
Brotherson stood, watching him go till he
| saw his hand fall on the knob when he
quietly prevented his exit by saying:
Unhappy truths can not be long con-
ceaIed. How soon does the doctor think
my brother can bear these inevitable rev.
elations?"
He said this morning that if his pa
tient were as we'll tomorrow as his pres
ent condition gives promise of, he might
be told in another week"
Orlando bowed his appreciation of this
fact, but added quickly:
who is to do the teling?"
Doris. Nobody else could be trusted
with so delicate a task"
Il wish 10 be present"
Mr.. Challoner loked up surprised at the
feeling with which this request was
charged
LAS his brother-his only remaining
relative, I have that right. DO you think
! that Dor-that Miss Scott, can be trusted
not to forestall that moment by any
| previous hint of what awaits him."
IF she so promises. But will you ex-
act this from her? 1t surely can not be
| necessary for me to say that your pres
ence will add infinitely to the difficulty Of
her task"
Yet it is duty l can not shirk
will consult the doctor about it. | will
make him see that both understand and
shall insist upon my rights in this matter.
But you may tell Miss Doris that I will
| sit out of sight. and that shall not OBJ
trude myself unless my name is brought
up in an undesirable way"
| The hand on the doorknob made sud
| den movement.
Mr.. Brotherson, l can bear no more
tonight With your permission, | will
leave this question to be settled by 9TH
ers" And with a repetition of his former
bow. the bereaved father withdrew.
/ Orlando watched him till the door
closed. then he too dropped his mask.
But it was on again. when in little
while he passed through the sitting room
on his way upstairs.
No other day in his whole life had been
like this TO the hardy inventor; for in it
both his heart and his conscience had
been awakened, and up to this hour he
had not really known that he possessed
either.
! What Is He Making.
| other boxes addressed to O. Brotherson
had been received at the station, and car