Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-04-19
THE BREAKING POINT
BY MARY ROBERTS RINEHART

minutes when she returned to David, and
prepared to break her great news AT hrst
she thought he was asleep. He was lying
back with his eyes closed, and his hands
crossed on the prayer book. But he looked
up at her and was instantly reused to full at
tention by her face.
You've had some news" he said.
Eyes, David. There's little news. Don't
count too much on it. Don't sit up, David. |
have heard something that makes me think
he is alive. Alive and well"
He made a desperate effort and controlled
himself.
Where is he?"
She sat down beside him and took his hand
between hers
David" she said slowly, God has been
very good to us. | want to tell you something,
and l want you to prepare yourseH: we
have heard from Dick. He is all right. He
loves US, and he always did. And-he is
downstairs, David"
He lay very still, and without speaking.
She was frightened at first, afraid to go on
with her further news But suddenly David
sat up in bed, and in full, firm voice began
the TIE Deum Laudamus. eve praise Thee,
o God. All the earth doth worship Thee, the
Father everlasting"
He repeated it in it's entirety. At the end,
however, his voice broke.
20 Lord in Thee have trusted doubt
ed him, lucy" he said.
Dick, waiting at the foot of the stairs,
heard that triumphant paean of thanksgiving
and praise, and closed his eyes.
1t was few minutes later that Lucy came
down the stairs again
"You heard him?" she asked ooh, Rich
ard, he had frightened me. 1t was more than
a question of himself and you. He was max.
ing it one of himself and God"
She let him go up alone, and waited below,
straining her ears, but she heard nothing be-
yond Davids first hoarse cry, and after a fit
tie she went into her sitting room and shut
the door.
Dramatic in its repressions was that meet
ing. The determination to ignore any trag-
edy in the situation was strong in them both,
and if David's eyes were blurred and his
hands trembling, if Dicks first words were
rather choked they hid their emotion care
fully.
"Wel1, here I am, like bad penny" said
Dick huskily from the doorway.
"And long time you've been about it,
grumbled David. "You young rascal"
He held out his hand, and Dick crushed it
between both of his. He was startled at the
change in David. For moment he could only
stand there, holding his HANDY and trying to
keep his apprehension out of his face
"Sit down." David said awkwardly, and
blew his nose with terrific blast. i've been
laid up for while, but I'm all right now.
I'll fool them YETI he boasted out of his new
happiness and content. Business has been
going to the dogs, Dick. Reynolds is a fool"
"Of course, you'll fool them" There was
still a band around Dicks throat. 1t hurt
him TO look at David, SO Inln anu leeDle, So
shaken from his portliness. And David saw
his eyes, and knew.
1--WE dropped a little flesh, eh, Dck?", he
inquired. "Old bulge is gone, you see. The
nurse makes up the bed when I'm in 1t, fiat
as when I'm out"
Suddenly his composure broke. He was
feeble and apprehensive old man, shaken
with the fearless sobbing of weakness and
! age. Dick put an arm across his shoulders,
and they sat without speech until David was
quiet again.
I'm crazy old woman, Dick" David said
| at last. "Thats what comes of never feeling
! a pair of pants on your legs and being coddled
| like baby" He sat up and stared around
him ferociously. "They sprinkle toilet water
on my pillows, Dick! Can you beat that?"
Continued Saturday. Renew your subscrip-
| ton now so as not to miss an installment.