Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-09-09
HIS BROTHERS WIFE
BY RUBY IA. AYRES
CHAPTER LNI
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A batch of soldiers swung past her in the
| road singing cheerily. Their boots were
thick with dust. They looked tired, but
| their spirits were high She thought of
Nigel. Once he had been of them-he
who was now sleeping almost forgotten
somewhere in France.
Surely she must have loved him in anoth-
er lifetime. Surely with his death she had
closed one book of her life and begun an
other.
AS she turned a corner young man COM
ing quickly in the opposite direction ran
against her. He apologized, raising his hat.
They were close to a street lamp, and by its
subdued light each saw the others face.
Mary caught her breath.
'You?" she said.
Young Evans colored to the roots of his
hair. For moment he could only stare at
her. Then he put out his hand.
Il was beginning to think we should new
er meet again"
He had been thinking of Mary a moment
since; he had been thinking of her ever
since the wornng when he had been called
into Monty Fishers office and been ques-
toned about her. And now here she was
now they were face to face again. He he'd
her hand in glad clasp. His heart was
humping wildly. He broke out again,
stammePing a little.
81 never thought we should meet any
more. I so glad to see you"
Mary did not know what to say. She had
liked him during their brief acquaintance
he had been kind to her. But there was
something now in the expression of his eyes,
the tone of his voice, that bewildered her.
She drew her hand away nervously.
''The world is such a small place, isn't
it? It's wonderful how people do knock up
against each other"
She would have turned and left him had
it been possible, but she knew it would be
nd
occasion.
"Will you come somewhere and have cup
of coffee with me? I've been working late
at the office"
He broke off, remembering that Fishers
last words to him had been about this girl
He shook the memory aside; he did not want
to remember it now.
Mary assented; she was really glad to
have met a friend. She followed him into
a restaurant close by.
Evans ordered coffee and some cakes.
81 haven't had my tea yet,' he said, meet
ing her eyes. 81 am hungry, if you are not"
He leaned a little closer to her.
"And how are you after all the long
timer" he asked.
1t really did seem long time since they
had met, though in reality it was but two
or three weeks His interested eyes real
lied that she looked pale and unhappy
He longed to ask her what was the truth
If all this mystery; why David Bretherton
was searching for her eagerly; what she
was to him. But feeling of jealousy kept
him back.
Betherton was rich-whilst he-of
course she would never look at hlm' he
was only poor clerk.
Mary answered, smiling family, that she
was quite we'll. She did not want to talk
about herself She tried to turn the con-
versation into other channels. She cues
toned him about his work; she talked about
other subject under the sun, and yet
after all, Evans conversation came PACK 10
herself. :.
and where are you living now? Not in
the same flat?'
1t seemed a long while-though she KIN"
it was but few weeks. go
"But you are still living in London?
ooh, yes"
He colored little at her evasive reply
"You don't want me to know where
She looked distressed.
ooh, please don't think me unkiLd! 1t
isn't that; but-but | haven't time for
friends. | know you think it horrid of me
especially when you were so good to me;
q only think what is nice about you
He spoke the words with clumsy sincerity
He kept his eyes his plate. His heart
was pounding under his office coat. He
would have given anything had he dared
put out his hand and lay it over her own;
but something restrained him.
+ She was not for him-this girl with the
sad face and sweet eyes; he knew that, even
while he knew, too, that he loved her
There was a little silence. Suddenly he
looked up.
IF you spoke quite honestly you would
say that you do not wish to see me again,
he said.
Mary colored.
81 should not! I have so few friends; but
you don't understand"
He stirred his coffee vigorously.
perhaps [ understand better than you
think" he said at last slowly "Perhaps-"
He broke off. Someone was asking me
about you today" he added after moment.
"About me-"
eyes Mr.. David Bretherton.'
He heard the little catch in her breath;
saw the way her hands clasped each other
convulsiyely.
David Bretherton? How-how do you
know him?''
He is a great friend of Mr.. Fishers.
am in Mr.. Fishers office"
"Oh!" There was something afraid in the
little ejaculation. How did he know you
knew me? What did he ask you?"
He is looking for you everywhere; he
hoped I could help him find you
Mary did not answer. She remem-
bering what Dora Fisher had said-that
David was furious-that he would never
forgive her-that he meant to see that she
was punished for her deception. She re-
membered too, the story Miss Varney had
told her of the Gray Lady the Red
Grange. David was a Bretherton.
No doubt he could be just as harsh and
turned woman and child into the snow to
die.
She shivered little.
Evans looked I'D. The drawn strained