Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-07-12
HIS BROTHERS WIFE
BY RUBY M. AYRES
CHAPTER XVIII
Mary's Request


"They shall not come if You don't wish IT,
said David presently. II will tell my aunt"
But now she had got her own way She
was frightened
ooh, 1 don't want you to put them off
because of me! They are your friends; it
can be no concern of mine If they come"
She was breathess and agitated "Oh, I
hope you are not offended she pleaded.
He smiled.
ut takes more than that to offend me-
am glad you asked me to put them off; it
shows that you don't feel as If quite q
stranger. 1 am very glad'
When he spoke again it was entirely irrel-
evant.
when will you have your next driving
lesson?"
Her eyes sparkled.
whenever you can spare the time.
should love another.
Tomorrow morning, them!
yes, please"
There was something very childish in the
answer. David laughed.
do you know that you remind me OF
little girl at party who has been told to be
on her best behavior" he said.
She colored family.
do ]? I've never been to a party"
Really" :
He looked amazed. II
Eyes, really. You see, I've always bS
poor-always had to work for my livingSx
until"
Until you married Nigel!'-he finished
for her.
She said nothing. During the last few
minutes she had forgotten her deception, for
gotten everything but the enjoyment of this
ride. Now memory came surging back to
her like an engufng tide.
II have often wished, since I came home,
hat m
There was such heap of money lying idle;
I'm afraid I was mean with him.
He used to say how generous you were.
He always spoke If he thought the world
of YOU"
David sat in moody silence. He hardly
spoke again until they were back once more
at the Red Grange
He got down from the wheel, and, turn.
ing, held his hand to Mary.
you look all the better for your drive"
he said There is quite a color in your
cheeks I've enjoyed it, too. 1t isn't often
I feel like tea, but must say do today"
He followed her into the house
Have you got any tea for us, Aunt Flor
ence?" David asked, putting his head round
the drawing room door. We're as hungry
as hunters.
Mary tried to find her voice, but it seemed
to die away in her throat; she moistened
her lips nervousy
After moment:
"You mean Mr.. Fisher, the solictor?" she
faltered.
Eyes; he is my best friend He used to
see to all Nigeis affairs for him."
II have met him-yes."
"a very nice young man" said Miss VAR
ney. "a great favorite of mine. l will cer-
tainly ask them down." t
Mary felt as if she must burst out laugh
ing.
What a short-lived paradise hers was to
be, after all She knew that Fisher would
recognize her at once-knew that she could
hope for nothing more once he saw her there
installed as NigePs widow. s,
desperate idea of appealing to David
not to ask them rushed into her mind But
what reason could she give? 1t would only
arouse his suspicion at once and besides, il
Fisher were his best friend, how could she
hope that her secret would be kept?
David was speaking to her.
"Have you met Miss Fisher, too?"
"No-oh no, no-no, I haven't!
81 don't think Mary would care for her
at ALL Miss Varney interposed decidedly.
''She isn't in the least like her brother. |
can't tolerate dressed-up dolls' David
laughed
ooh, come dear, she isn't as bad as that.
And Monty thinks the world of her."
Miss Varney said "Humph!" She looked
at Mary, and shook her head.
you wait till you see her." she admon-
Iished, land then tell me who is right, David
of l..
Mary did not answer. When lunch was
ended, and David rose to leave the room, she
made some excuse and followed.
The desperate idea of appealing to him
was still lingering in her mind. He had
been so kind to her that morning-surely il
she asked him not to invite the Fishers
down for the present But what excuse
could she give? What reason that would be
adequate?
She stopped outside the dining room Nslt
with feeling of utter defeat. David hear
ing her steps, turned He came back little.
do you want me?" a5
mo, only" ii
He hestated, then came wholly back.
would you like to go out? There Is the
car. I shall be only too delighted II you will
come"
in her eyes. Some new feeling of chivalry in
his heart made him long to help her and
comfort her. He had never before met .
woman who so appealed to him as this one.
eff it wouldn't be bothering you" she told
him. But I'm afraid it would be-"
Nonsense! Run away and put your bon
net on
She laughed outright at that.
az don't wear bonnet-yet."
Don't you? I'm sorry" He laughed
with her. Hat then--is that better?"
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