The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-04-22
HlSBRoIHE5RS |
~ WIFE, 3 !
ACO BY RUDY AYES fSr~|

I She took Bretherton's card reluctant
/ ". After a moment a door of one of
the sitting rooms was flung open and
a man came eagerly into the hall.
David, my dear old fellow He
seized Bretherton by both hands and
dragged him into the light. II had
no idea you were in England When
old you land? Why didn't you let me
know?"
81 only landed this morning. I have
been nowhere, except"
He broke off. A woman had followed
| Henry Fisher into the hall. She was
] golden-haired and beautifully dressed.
/ Her eyes were bright with eagerness
as they met David's.
| "Oh, 1 am 50 glad to see you again!
couldn't believe it was you! But
oh. David. poor Nigelr'
They were in the drawing room
now. and Fisher had taken Davids
| overcoat.
There was a little silence.
I Just couldn't believe it when we
| heardr' Dora Fisher went on, in a
shocked voice. ''One hears of men
being killed at the Front every day
! but it seems impossible that any one
we know could be amongst them. oh,
/ David, it must have been a shock"
| Yes"
Something in her almost Jaeger
ated pity Jared on him. He looked
relieved when her brother came back
to the room.
IT ought to apologize for such
| late visit" David was saying. but
there were several matters I wanted
to speak to you about"
He hesitated.
Dora sprIng up from the deep chair
where she was sitting; there was
little frown between her eyes.
You mean that you want me to
go away? You are horrid, when I
haven't seen you for three years!
I'll just give you half an hour-no
more. Aui. David, you are going to
stay the night, aren't you? It's too
late to get down to Red Grange. and l
simply won't let you 90 to a hotelr'
IF [ am not in the way" he he
gan diffidently
She laughed.
I'VE are only too glad to have you"
She left them. shutting the doo~
after her
Fisher was mixing whisky-aDd-soda
at side table.
IT'S good to see you. David" he
said affectionately. I only wish it
might have been in happier circum-
stances. Moor Nigel!''
II wanted to speak to you about
him. Why didn't you tell me he was
married?"
Fisher flushed a little.
My dear chap, how could 1? Nigel
was so anxious to keep it back:
seemed to think you's be annoyed and
cut down his allowance"
Why should I have been an
noyed?'
Fisher shrugged his shoulders.
We'll, his wife was hardly-you
know what I mean
David thought of the woman he had
left alone in that empty fiat, with the
tears still wet on her face.
Hardly what?" he asked with Gu
rious infection.
Fisher looked uncomfortable
We'll. it's awkward to explain; but
# you must know, she wasn't the sort
Of woman Nigel ought to have mar
ried She was a nursery governess,
I believe, and she married him for
what he could give her; there's no
doubt about that I only saw her
once"
He pushed a whisky and-soda across
to his friend.
What was she like?" David asked.
He took up the glass. holding it
quizzically TO the light. His manner
was very quiet-almost disinterested.
Fischer shrugged his shoulders.
Little authenticated thing-one of
the dolly sort"
Auburn haired?"
Yes, reddish hair; quite young
about 81, I should say. I had lunch
with them soon after they were mar
ried. She didn't like me. Oh, no.
she didn't say so; but she let me see
it from her manner"
There was a little silence
"Of course" David said then II
must do something for her. Nigel
had nothing except what 1 allowed
him. wanted to ask your advice"
Fisher raised his brows.
She won't we a widow long, from
what 1 saw of her." he said, rather
dryly. You needn't be sorry for her,
David"
He turned to a paper-strewn desk
in a corner by the fire.
I've a photograph of her here some
where. Nigel sent it to me when they
were honeymooning. Care to see it?''
"I should like to-
Fisher rummaged in a drawer for
moment. then came back to where
his friend stood.
Here it is" he said
CHAPTER Y
The discriminating Photograph
!,