Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-02-13
THE BREAKING POINT
BY MARY ROBERTS RINEHART :.

handling and--the fullest explanation you
can make"
What is it? I'd be glad to have some-
thing to keep my mind occupied. It's eat
ing itself up just now"
Its personal matter
Ward glanced up at him quickly.
''Yes?"
"Have you happened to hear story that
believe is going around? One that con-
Germs me?"
''Wen, have" Leslie admitted. 81 didn't
pay much attention. Nobody is taking 1t
very seriously
That's not the point Dick persisted. Il
don't mind idle gossip. I don't give rap
about it. It's the statement itself.
II should say you are the only person who
knows anything about it.
Dick made restless, impatient gesture
81 want to know one thing more" he said.
Nina told you, suppose. Does suppose
Elizabeth knows it, too?"
Eyes, Nshe knows it,"
Dick turned abruptly and went out OF the
room, and moment later, Leslie heard the
front door slam.
Elizabeth, standing at the head of the
stairs, heard it also, and turned away. with
new droop to her usually valiant shoulders
Her world, too had gone awry, that sare
world of protection and cheer and klndHnesss
First had come Nina, white-lipped and shak-
en-, and Elizabeth had had to face the fact
that there was such thing as treachery and
queer hidden things that men did, and that
came to light and brought horrible suffer-
ing.
And then, although at first she refused
to believe it, there was something wrong
with Dick. No. Between Dick and herself.
Something that made his voice formal and
rather hoarse, and separated them by miles
even when they stood side by side. She was
frightfully hurt, and inclined to search back
to their last meeting for something she had
said or done.
She tried very hard to feel comforted when
Nina and Leslie were reconciled. For rec
onciled they were
But soon after that Leslie had gone down
stairs, and they heard him in the pantry
and kitchen. moving about and whistling
softly. The servants had gone, and the air
was filled with the odor of burning Bread
Some time later, Mrs. Wheeler, waiting un-
easily in the upper hall, behed her son-in-.
law coming up and carrying proudly tray
on which was toast of incredible blackness
and a pot which smelled feeby OF tea.
1.-THE next time you're out of cook just
send for me- he said cheerfully.
Mrs. Wheeler, full and overfowing with
indignation and the piece of her mind she
had meant to deliver, retired, vanquished,
to her bedroom.
Late that night, when Nina had finally
forgiven him and had settled down for sleep,
Leslie went downstairs for cigar, to find
Elizabeth sitting there alone, a book on her
knee, and her face wistful.
Sitting and thinking or just sitting?" he
inquired.
81 was thinking"
''Air castles, Ell? WE'LL be sure you put
the right man into them!" He felt more or
less fool for having said that, for 1t was
extremely likely that Nina's family was feel
ing some doubt about Nina's choice.
What mean Isl he added hastily, don't
be a fool and take Wallie Sayre. Take
man while you're about it,
II would, if could do the taking"
That's piffle, Elizabeth. " He sat down
on the arm of chair and looked at her.
Look here, what about this story the Ros-
sitter girl and few others are handing round
about Dick Livingstone? You're not wor-
rying about it. are your"
Il don't believe it's true, and it wouldn't
matter to me, anyhow
what / am worrying about is this, Les
lie. He may hear it,
He has heard it, honey"
He had expected her to look alarmed, but
instead she showed relief.
"I'll tell you the truth, Les she said. II
was worrying I'm terribly fond of him.
1t just came all at once, and couldn't help
1t. And l thought he liked me, too, that
way She stopped and looked up at him to
see if he understood and he nodded gravely.
Then today when he came to see Nina, he
avoided me- He--I was waiting in the hall
upstairs, and he just said a word or two and
went on down.
Poor devil!' Leslie said "You see, he's
in an unpleasant position, to say the least.
But here's thought to go to sleep on. II
you ask me, he's keeping out of your way
because he cares too much"
Continued in the Next Issue)
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