Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-01-30

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checked himself and got up.
And, if their voices were light, there was
in both of them the sense of pact made
! of bond that to hold them, like clasped
hands, against their coming separation. 1t
was rather anti-climacteric after that to have
him acknowledge that he didn't know ex-
actly when he could get away!
She went with him to the door and stood
there, her soft hair blowing, as he got into
the car. When he looked back as he turned
the corner, she was still there He felt very
happy and affable and he picked up elder
ly village woman with ner basket and went
considerably out OF MS way to take her home.
At half-past five that afternoon David had
let himself into the house with his latch
key, hung up his overcoat on the old wal
nut hat-rack, and gone into his office. He had
fallen asleep in his buggy, and had wakened
to find old Nettie drawing him slowly down
the main street Of the town, pursuing an err
ratio but homeward course, while the people
on the pavements watched and smiled.
He went into his office closed the door,
and then, on the old leather couch with its
sagging springs, he stretched himself out to
finish his nap.
Almost Immediately, however, the door
bell rang, and moment later Minnie opened
the door.
Gentleman to see you, Dr. David"
He got up clumsly and settled his collar
Then he opened the door into his waiting
room.
come III, lie SAID reSlgneQlV.
A small, dapper man, in precisely the type
of clothes David most abominated, wearing
light-colored spats, rose from his chair and
looked at him with evident surprise.
I'm afraid I've made mistake. A DR..
Livingstone left his seat number for calls at
the box office of the Annex theater last night
the Happy Valley company-but he was
a younger man. L"
David stiffened, but he surveyed his visitor
impassively from under his shaggy white
eyebrows.
81 haven't been in a theater for a dozen
years, sir"
Gregory was convinced that he had made
mistake. Like Louis Bassett, the very I'M
likeliness of Jud Clark being connected with
the domestic atmosphere and quiet respecta-
bility of the old house made him feel in
trusiye and absurd. He was abut to apollo
gize and turn away, when he thought of
something.
There are two names on your sign. The
other one, was he by any chance at the the
alter last night?"
81 think I shall have to have reason for
these Inquiries David said slowly.
He was trying to place Gregory, to fit him
into the situation, straining back over ten
years of security, racking his memory, with
out result.
Gust what have you come to find out?" he
asked, as Gregory turned and looked around
the room.
THE other DR.. Livingstone is your broth
err"
my nephew
Gregory shot sharp glance at him.
Sorry to trouble you" he said. IT sup
pose I've made a mistake. lis your neph-
ew at home?"
mo"
MAY I see a picture of him, if you have
one?"
David's wild impulse was to smash Greg
DRY to the earth. to annihilate him. His col
lar felt tight, and he pulled it away from his
throat.
"Not unless Know why you want to see
it,"
HE is tall, rather spare? And he took a
young lady to the theater last night?" Greg
DRY persisted
He answers that description. What of
it,"
"And he is your nephew"
my brothers son." David said steadily
Somehow it began to dawn on him that
there was nothing inimical in this strange
visitor. There was, indeed, something almost
beseeching in Gregory's eyes, as though he
stood ready to give confidence for confidence.
"Sit down." David said, relaxing some
what. "Certainly my nephew is making no
secret of the fact that he went tosthe theater
last night. If you'll tell me who you are"
But Gregory did not sit down. He stood
where he was, and continued to eye David
intently.
IN 81 don't know Just what it conveys to you.
David lowered himself into his chair. His
knees were suddenly weak under him. But
he was able to control his voice.
81 see,'' he said. And waited.
Something happened last night at the the
ater 1t may be important. I'd have to see
your nephew in order to find out if it is. 7
can't afford to make a mistake"
David's rudy color had faded He opened
drawer of his desk and produced a copy
Of the photograph of Dick in his uniform
maybe this will help you"
Gregory studied it carefully carrying it to
David again he was certain of himself and
his errand for the first time, and his manner
had changed.
EYES," he said significantly. cit does"
He placed the photograph on the desk, and
sitting down, drew his chair close to DaFid's.
"I'll not use any names, Doctor I think
enough last night. I'm certain now"
David nodded GO on"
"We1l start like this God knows 1 don't
want to make any trouble. But I'll put a
hypothetical case. Suppose that man when
suppose he leaves behind him a bad record and
an enormous fortune; suppose then he re-
forms and becomes useful citizen, and every |
thing is buried
DR.. David listened stonily. Gregory lower
ed his voice.
Suppose there's woman mixed up in that
Not guilty. but there's lot
of talk. And suppose she lives it down, for
ten years, and then goes back to her profess