Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-05-24

N ICK sat down by the window and with
J the feeling of dismissing them forever,
retraced slowly and painfully the last
few months, the night on the mountains and
Bassett asleep by the fire; the man from the
cabin caught under the tree, with his face
looking up strangely twisted, from among
the branches; dawn in the alfalfa field, and
the long night tramp; the boy who had rec
ognized him in Chicago; David in his old
walnut bed, shriveled and dauntless, and his
going out into the night with Lucy in the
kitchen doorway; Elizabeth and Wallace
Sayre on the veranda, and himself across
the street under the trees; Beverly, and the
illumination of his freedom from the old
bonds; Gregory, glib and debonair, telling
his lying story, and later on, flying for safety.
His half brother!
One thing Dick knew must be done and
got over with. He would have to see Eliza
beth and tell her the story He knew 1t
would do no good, but she had right to the
fullest explanation he could give her. She
did not love him, but 1t was intolerable that
she should hate him.
He meant, however, to make no case for
himself. 1t would have to stand on the facts.
This thing had happened to him; the storm
had come, wrought its havoc and passed;
he was back, to start again as nearly as he
could where he had left off. That was ALL
He went to the Wheeler house the next
night, passing the door twice before he turned
in and rang the bell, in order that his voice
might. be calm and his demeanor mistaken.
Walter Wheeler opened the door and adj
mitted him.
Il thought you might come" he said
Come in"
There was no particular warmth in his
voice, but no unfriendlness. He stood by
gravely while Dick took off his overcoat
and then led the way into the library.
I'D better tell you at once he said, that
I have advised Elizabeth to see you, but that
she refuses. I'd much prefer" He broke
off and busted himself at the fire for a mo-
ment. I'D much prefer to have her see you
Livingstone. But-I'll tell you frankly
don't think it would do much good"
He sat down and stared at the fire. Dick
remained standing.
She doesn't intend to see at all?" he
asked unsteadily.
That's rather out of the question, If you
intend to remain here. Do you?"
eyes"
An unexpected feeling of sympathy for the
tall, worn man on the hearth rug stirred in
Walter Wheeler's breast.
I'm sorry, Dick. She apparently reached
the breaking point week or two ago. She
knew you had been here and hadn't seen
her, for one thing" He hesitated. you've
heard of her engagement"
|, yes"
There was another uncomfortable silence
Then Walter Wheeler burst out:
"Confound it, Dick, I'm sorry. I've fought
your battles for months, not here, but every
where. But here's battle can't fight. She
isn't angry. You'll have to get her angle
of it. I think it's something like this. She
had built you up into a sort of superman.
And she's-well I suppose purity Is the
word. She's the essence of purity. Then
Leslie told me this tonight-she learned from
him that you were back with the woman in
the case in New York"
And as Dick made q gesture:
There's no use going to him He was
off the beaten track, and he knows 1t. He