San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-26
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ZEN weeks since Nigel went

Nearly seven weeks since Nigel went
away.
Twice she had had an official post
card from him. with the meager news
that he was well once letter hastily
scrawled on scraps Of paper.
He was full Of enthusiasm, full OF
courage, but 1t was the sort of letter
he might have written to an ordinary
acquaintance.
Dolly gave It to Mary to read.
There are no Secrets" she said
dryly.
The letter began, dearest Dolly"
and ended, yours affectionately."
That was fortnight ago now, and
since then there had been no news.
She swung round from the window
suddenly TO where Mary sat at the
table writing.
"Dayid Bretherton doesn't seem to
he going to acknowledge me. does he?"
she asked.
Mary looked up.
"Davld !" she echoed.
Dolly made a little impatient ges-
ture.
"Nigels brother, / mean. Nigel
wrote to him before went to France
and told him all about our marriage.
He thought--in case he never came
back-that David ought to know"
Mary made no comment.
Il suppose if anything happens !
shall be quite dependent on his
charity" Dolly said again, bitterly.
perhaps he has never had Nigers
letter."
II don't suppose he'd answer it if
he had I; he doesn't believe in marriage.
Nigel was always saying what a pc
culiar sort of man lie was. Did you
ever know him, Mary?".
"No."
Dolly wandered back again to the
window.
He's as rich as Croesus," she said.
"They have lovely house in the
countryside Red Grange"
II know"
"Yon know! Have you ever been
there?'
Mary flushed a little.
Nigel took me down one day-oh,
long time ago. before he ever knew
of your she added quickly. seeing u
spark of anger in her friends eyes.
He would never take me-he made
excuses when / asked him. as it
very beautiful" she asked.
IL have never seen such a lovely
place.
The gate clicked suddenly. Dolly
turned her head again.
ITS the postman." she said. There
was something frightened in her voice.
You go. Mary"
Mary went out into the hall: she
came back after moment with one
letter.
ITS for Nigel" she said.
Dolly took it. and eagerly scanned
the c'iv"lope. The stamp was a for
Com David" she said. "At
hands shook with excitement
Is opened the flap. Mary turned
aEar; she was beginning to wonder
il s." had ever really cared anything
for Nigel's wife-if it had not just
been for bis sake that she had been
a friend to her.
After a moment Dolly gave little
angry exclamation; she laughed short
ly.
Il knew what he would say. I al
ways told Nigel" She pushed the
letter across the table. READ it.
Very well, then" as Mary shook her
head. I'll read it to you"
Dear Nigel: Many thanks for your
letter, in which you tell me you arc
going to the front and that you have
been married eighteen months. Neither
piece of news came as surprise to
me.
Il am coming home almost immc-
diately to see if the war office can
be persuaded to make some use of an
old crock like myself. and shall hope
to see you before you leave England.
when we can discuss the future.
with regard TO your marriage. ]
only hope you have made wise
choice, and are happy, though the tone
of your letter makes me dubious"
Dolly screwed the letter into the
palw of her hand and threw it across
the room.