Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-07-20

One bright, fresh evening young Ashley got
back to the firm with keen appetite for din
ner in advance of his father and found letter
lying upon the table in the sitting room. The
envelope was bordered with black and bore an
Australian postmark.
Young Ashley glanced at It carelessly and
took off his riding boots. A second time the
letter caught his eye lying primy upon the
table. He picked It up and examined it. 1t
was addressed in a practised handwriting to
John Eyerard Campbell Ashley, Esq, care
Messrs. Coutts & Co, Strand London, England
Please forward Immediately"
Replacing the letter upon the table, young
Ashley up to his room. But while he got
out Of his farm clothes. tubbed vigorously and
dressed again, he could see nothing but the
letter whichever way he looked. He tried to
whistle away the odd feeling of impending
trouble but the sound died on his lips.
Returning to the sitting room quickly he
caught up the letter and took it to the fire and
held it toward the fame. But no, it was ad-
dressed to mis- father, and he drew back his
hand. Finally he placed It face downward on
the high man,el board, saying to himself that
he would tell his father Of the thing in the
morning. All the same, he spent a miserable
restless evening.
He was standing at the window when Ash
ley returned. He noticed that queer, eager
look came into his fathers face the moment
he entered the room. He halted on the
threshold and stood with dstended nostrils
and with eyes that searched the room like a
dogs pointing
Jack" he asked in low voice. did any.
thing come for me tonight?"
Young Ashley pointed to the mantel board.
IT'S there" he said.
With unerring precision Ashley's hand
seized upon the letter. Trembling and eager.
he carried it to the lamp and held 1t in the
circle of light.
AT last at last" he cried; "at Iastl" Then
he held it aloft, with his arms stretched out
Almighty God" he said, q give YOU
thanks . ="
He fell suddenly on his knees, and with his
hands over his face burst into torrent of
tears.
"Oh, my darling, my baby, my sweetheart
to be packed into thing like that and
given 10 the worms. Oh, it's damn
nable; it's unthinkable. l can't bear it.
Come back, even if you don't come back to
me. -. So exquisite thing in such
pace! On on
1t the first time in his life that young
Ashley had come face to face with death He
was not Mortified or terrified; he was silenced.
numbed.
Young Ashley started to find an arm round
his shoulder strong arm, pressed tightly
When 1t relaxed young Ashley rose to his
feet, and his father smiling curiously, passed
him and went upstairs. Young Ashley went
into the sitting room to turn out the lamp.
While he made the windows secure for the
night he listened anxiousy for any unaccus-
toned sound in the room above His hands
trembed he shut the door, and his heart
beat quickly, he knew not why Suddenly a
loud report echoed through the quiet house
and a dull thud shook the ceiling.
Father Father!" shouted young ashley,
as he CROPPED blindly up the stairs
He heard faint laugh as he flung open the
door of his fathers room-a laugh in which
there was a note of triumph and happiness.
Two candles we're burning on the dressing
table. Their light fell upon the figure of
Ashley, the elder who lay upon the floor in a
pool of blood. The blackbordered letter sat
coldly upon the dressing table
"Oh, father" cried young Ashley, "father! "
He tottered to his knees.
Ashley the elder, struggled into his sons
arms. There was a smile upon his drawn face.
1T is over" he whispered eagerly. q am
out of hell"
"You shan't go You shan't," burst out
young Ashley in agony. Il won't let you go.
Father"
A feeble arm fumbled its way round young
Ashley's neck.
mo one can stop me, Jack. am released,
thank God! Read the letter. No. Hold me
tight. | know it. will tell you what it says"
He slipped a little and seemed to shrink
like pricked ball. Young Ashley chung to
him desperately unable to speak.
1T says: 'Effie is dead. She asked me to
write to you, and send her love to you both
Dear lad, don't shake so. | am so glad to CO."
Don't leave NEEDN'T leave met"
Il promise, sobbeG young Ashley.
You are safe among the trees.
And l shall know that my story won't be re-
peated. Kiss me, Jack"
Young Ashley kissed the damp forehead.
Father, father" he cried
The feeble arm slipped away from his neck.