Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-07-24
HIS BROTHERS WIFE
BY RUBY M. AYRES
CHAPTER xxx
DOra'S Plan

room. He wondered, with a touch OF humor.
what this tall MISUNDERSTANDING man would
say were he to dare to pluck up courage
and ask after Mary? He could imagine the
way he would be withered and snubbed and
yet--he had once been real friend to her III
her distress, and who knew but that the
chance might come again?
He wondered what the two men were talk
ing about behind that fast-shut baize door;
the homogeneous thought flashed through his
mind that perhaps some day there might
be an attachment between Mary and Mr..
Fisher. 1T surprising how that thought
hurt him; he tried to dismiss it as being
ridiculous.
But in Mr.. Fishers private room he and
David Bretherton were speaking of Mary at
that very moment
and how do you find the arrangement
works?" Monty Fisher asking David in
terestedly.
David was lighting cigarette; he did not
look up as he answered.
"Splendidly, so far. Aunt Florence is
delighted with her; she quite seems to wax
EN- the old place up now she is getting over
her sadness a little
You think she felt Nigel's death very.
keenly?"
There was a slight surprise in Fishers
voice; he had had his opinion as to the
relationship between Nigel and his wife.
Il am sure she did, David answered
quickly, "but when all is said and done, she
is still young, and one cannot go on griey-
ing forever"
Exactly! I dare say she'll marry again;
she struck me being just the kind of
woman to marry again
David hurled the spent match firewards:
there was a little puCker of annoyance be-
tween lis Erow@
II think you mistaken there" he said.
Il should say she is about the last woman
in the world to marry again"
The eyes of the two men met. Fisher
looked away first; there was trace of en-
barrassment in his face and voice.
I'm sorry; l didn't mean to be offensive
After all, l hardly know Mrs Bretherton"
He suddenly thought of his sister.
by the way. when may we come down for
that weekend you spoke OFF," he asked,
changing the subject rather abruptly. Dora
reminded me of it at breakfast the other
morning. She seems very anxious to see the
old place again.
1t looks rather cherries just at present."
David answered rather hurriedly. Better
wait till the finer weather comes; 1t makes
a marvellous difference; | shall be delighted
to see you both, them
"Thanks-thanks very much" There was
a sort of constraint in Monty Fishers voice:
he had not been blind to the evasiveness OF
his friends word; he resented it.
Were things going to be different now be-
tween them? he wondered, with sense of
loss. They had always been such pals, in
spite OF their different positions. Surely
David was not going to turn snobbish and
wish to drop his old friends
He adopted his business manner: it was
he who kept UP the attitude of employer
and employed until David rose to go.
At dinner that night he told Dora that
David had been up to London. Dora looked
interested
''Why didn't you bring him to dinner?
should love to have seen him. Surely he's
he hoc icn't hno
He didn't say anything about it, my
dear" Monty laughed rather awkwardly.
Il mentioned the weekend visit, as you
asked me to, and he didn't jump at the idea
at all. Rather choked me off, in fact
What do you mean?"
oh, nothing particular. But he rather
seemed as if he didn't want us just at
present-talked about us going down later
on, when the weather was better. Of course,
it may have been my imagination, but it
struck me that he did not want u.s.
Dora flushed a little. She pushed her
plate aside
Have you done anything to annoy him,
Monty?"
"Of course not! Ny dear child what
can [ have done? I haven't seen him since
that night he slept here, and I've only writ
ten business letters to him.
She sat staring before her with moody
eyes. Just lately, since her open confession
to Monty, she had been haunted with men,
cries of the Red Grange. She had dreamed
wild dreams and built wonderful castles in
the air. Surely-surely they were not to be
undermined and thrown down?
Il wonder if it's anything to do with
Nigels wife?" she said suddenly. Perhaps
she's been making mischief. You said she
never liked you; perhaps she wants to keep
all Davids friends away from the house
now" She leaned forward with little added
excitement Monty, do you know what I
shall do?"
"What?"
Monty was only half listening.
L shall go down to Red Grange without
being asked
my dear child, it's impossible."
ION no, it isn't! [ can ostensibly go
to see the Carews; they used to live at Sell
mont, you know. Oh I know they've left
now; but I can pretend didn't and then go
on to Davids. 1t will look quite natural,
and | shall be able to see for myself just
how the land lies
you can't force yourself people who
go out of the the way to let you see you're
not wanted"
Monty spoke decidedly He knew that
sometimes Doras methods of getting her
own way were very crude.
But she only laughed.
ut won't be forcing myself / can just
drop in afternoon; it won't hurt David
to give me cup Of tea. Don't be silly!"
He shrugged his shoulders; this was one
of those occasions when he knew argument
to be useless. He not in the least sur
prised to come home the following evening
and learn from the maid that Miss Fisher
had gone down to Semont to spend the day
with Mrs. Carew.
He frowned then laughed After all, 1t
could do no harm, and if Dora was really
keen about old David--welI, good luck to
her.