Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-07
CHAPTER TX
The Photograph

The Photograph
WHEN David Bretherton left Mary, he
| wv took a taxi and drove straight to an
| address in Hampstead.
| There was a little frown on his face, and
during the drive he sat staring before him,
lost in thought
Once he put up his hand to feel the letter
lying in his breast pocket. Once he took it
out and carefully reread the hastily scrubbed
pages.
He had not seen Nigel for more than three
years. and now that he would never see him
again, little memories of their boyhood's
days crowding back to him-of Nigel, always
in disgrace for some daredevil exploit; of
Nigel taking his punishment at school with a
grin on his good-natured face; of Nigel COINS
for the thing he wanted, always determined
to get it at whatever cost. And now a vivid
imag ination flashed him picture of Nigel
lying dead on the battlefield.
David knew that it was the death Nigel
would have chosen for himself. He was so
brave, SO headlong!
His thoughts went back to Mary
| She was so different from the woman he
had pictured as his brothers wife-so much
more womanly, so much less like the dolly
type Of girl that Nigel had always admired.
And she had genuinely loved him; of that
there could be no doubt. It therefore made
Nigel's last letter all the more extraordinary
and difficult to understand
The taxi had stopped now. The driver
came to the door
rs this the house, sir?''
David stepped out on the path. He looked
up at the dark face of the house, and a little
reminiscent smile curved his lips.
'Yes-this is the house,
| He paid and dismissed the man, and went
up the steps to the front door.
| By the light above the porch he glanced
at his watch. 1t was nearly g. He hesitated
for moment then rang the bell
After all, there were excuses for late
visit when man had just returned to Lon.
don after three years absence. Fisher would
not mind
The maid who opened the door was doubt
tul If her master would see him. She took
Bretherton's card reluctantly After a mo-
ment door of one of the sitting rooms was
Hung open, and a man came eagerly into the
hall.
David, my dear fellow" He seized
Bretherton by both hands and dragged him
into the light. II had no idea you were in
England, When did you land? Why didn't
you let me know"
Il only landed this morning. have been
nowhere, except
He broke off. woman had followed
Henry Fisher into the hall. She was golden
haired and beautifully dressed. Her little
eyes were bright with eagerness as they met
Davids
oh I am so glad to see you again! /
n,
poor Nigel"
They were in the drawing room now, and
Fisher had taken David's overcoat
| There was little silence
Il just couldn't believe it when we heard!"
Dora Fisher went on, in a shocked voice
One hears of men being killed at the front
every day, but it seems impossible that anv
one we knew could be amongst them. on,
David it must have been a shock!'
something in her almost exaggerated pity
Jared on him. He looked relieved when her
brother came back to the room
Il ought to apologize for such a late visit !"
David was saying, "but there were several
matters wanted to speak to you about"
| He hesitated.
! Dora sprang up from the deep chair where
she was sitting; there was a little frown be-
! tween her eyes.
you mean that you want me to go away?
You are horrid, when I haven't seen you for
three years! III just give you half an hour
no more. And, 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 go to hotel!
eff | not in the way" he began diff
! fdently.
She laughed.
I'VE are only too glad to have vou,"
She lett them, shutting the door after her
F1sher was mixing whisky and soda at a
side table
tits good to see you, David" he said af-
fectlonately Il only wish it might have
been in happier circumstances. Poor Nigel"
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 waa
so anxious to keep it back: seemed to think
you'd be annoyed and cut down his allow.
ance'
/ Why should have been annoyed?"
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 flat, with the tears still
wet on her face
Hardly what?" he asked, with curious in
Election.
! Fisher looked uncomfortable
We'll, it's awkward to explain: but Il Won
must know. she wasn't the sort of woman
Nigel ought to have married. She was a
nursery governess I believe, and she married
! MIN 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 Hke?" David asked.
He took up the glass. holding it quizzicallv
to the light His manner was very quiet
almost disinterested
Fisher shrugged his shoulders
Little authenticated thng-one Of the
dolly sort"
auburn haired?"
Yes reddish hair: quite young-about
twentyone, 1 should say. I had lunch with
them soon after they were married She
didn't like me. Oh no she didn't saw so.